Ford Kuga II (2012-2019): known problems and buying guide

Built
2013–2017
Median price
€8,890
Listings
1,285
Running cost per month
€466–€540
Power
140–182 PS (103–134 kW)
Reliability
2/5
DIY
2/5

Petrol EcoBoost engines can crack their block or head, so watch the coolant. Check the PowerShift clutch, diesel injectors and the AWD transfer case.

All versions

VariantRunning cost per monthMedian priceListingsFuelEngine codesGearboxProduction years
1.5 EcoBoost, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research€503€8,000268Petrol M8MDManual (6)2014–2017
1.6 EcoBoost, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research€512€7,490153Petrol JQMBManual (6)2013–2014
2.0 TDCi, 180 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research€485€9,890150Diesel T8MCAutomatic (dual-clutch) (6)2014–2017
2.0 TDCi, 150 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research€471€9,990136Diesel T7MDAutomatic (dual-clutch) (6)2014–2017
2.0 TDCi, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research€466€9,899118Diesel T7MDManual (6)2014–2017
2.0 TDCi, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research€490€9,899118Diesel T7MDManual (6)2014–2017
2.0 TDCi, 163 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research€503€8,500115Diesel TXMAAutomatic (dual-clutch) (6)2013–2014
2.0 TDCi, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research€486€7,59985Diesel UFMAManual (6)2013–2014
2.0 TDCi, 140 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research€512€7,59985Diesel UFMAManual (6)2013–2014
2.0 TDCi, 140 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research€503€8,50066Diesel UFMAAutomatic (dual-clutch) (6)2013–2014
1.5 EcoBoost, 182 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€531€9,99962Petrol M9MDAutomatic (6)2014–2017
1.6 EcoBoost, 182 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€540€8,60050Petrol JTMAAutomatic (6)2013–2014

At a glance

  • Years: built 2012 to 2019. The facelift came at the end of 2016.
  • Watch for: coolant loss from a cracked block on the 1.5 EcoBoost, the 1.6 EcoBoost cooling recall, PowerShift clutch wear, and diesel injector, EGR and DPF faults.
  • Reliability: 2/5, because the EcoBoost block and head faults and the PowerShift clutch are costly.
  • DIY: 2/5, because clutch, transfer case and cooling repairs need a garage. Oil and coolant checks are simple.
  • Prefer: a car with recall work on record, a steady coolant level and a smooth cold start. Avoid: a 1.6 EcoBoost built 2012 to 2014 with no proof of cooling recall work, and any EcoBoost that loses coolant.

Engines and gearboxes

  • 1.5 EcoBoost petrol: 120 PS front-drive, up to 182 PS with AWD. Replaced the 1.6 from October 2014. The block can crack, see below.
  • 1.6 EcoBoost petrol: 150 PS and 182 PS. Built 2012 to 2016. The cooling recall covers 2012 to 2014 builds.
  • 2.0 EcoBoost petrol: 242 PS, AWD, automatic, the top version after the facelift.
  • 2.0 TDCi diesel: 120 to 180 PS. Injector, EGR and DPF faults are below.
  • 6-speed manual: on 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost. The clutch recall is below.
  • PowerShift 6DCT450: six-speed dual-clutch automatic with a wet clutch. Clutch wear is below.
  • 6F35 automatic: six-speed torque-converter automatic.
  • AWD (all-wheel drive): fitted to some petrol and diesel versions. The transfer case is below.

Known issues

Issue Affects Typical km Repair cost
1.5 EcoBoost cracked block and coolant loss 1.5 EcoBoost petrol, built until about mid-2019 Not stated No confirmed price (often a new short block)
1.6 EcoBoost cylinder head overheating 1.6 EcoBoost petrol, built 2012 to 2014 Not stated No confirmed price (labour 2.5 to 4.5 hours, Austria, 2018)
PowerShift wet clutch wear and judder PowerShift 6DCT450 automatic About 100,000 km Clutch set 1,800 to 2,800 EUR (Germany, year not stated)
Manual clutch pressure plate Manual 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost, built 2013 to 2016 Not stated No confirmed price
2.0 TDCi injectors and EGR 2.0 TDCi diesel From about 50,000 km No confirmed price
2.0 TDCi particulate filter 2.0 TDCi diesel Not stated No confirmed price
AWD transfer case broken threads AWD cars Over 100,000 km No confirmed price
1.6 EcoBoost oil use and head gasket 1.6 EcoBoost petrol Not stated No confirmed price

Before you buy

  1. On a 1.5 EcoBoost, check the coolant level in the expansion tank before the engine is started, and ask whether coolant was topped up often. Listen for rough running on a cold start. Both point to a cracked block.
  2. Drive from rest and in traffic. Judder, jerks or slow pull-away from the PowerShift can point to a worn clutch. Ask for the gearbox oil change record.
  3. Ask whether the cooling system recall work was done. Check the coolant level in the expansion tank before a test drive. Ask for proof of the work.
  4. On a manual, ask whether the clutch pressure plate recall work was done. Test the clutch on a hill and under hard acceleration. Check open recalls by FIN (vehicle number) at KBA or Ford.
  5. On a 2.0 TDCi, ask for injector and EGR work. Injectors can clog from about 50,000 km. A scanner reads EGR and DPF fault codes.
  6. On a 2.0 TDCi, ask about particulate filter work and check for a filter warning lamp. The known fault has a software update fix.
  7. On AWD cars, have a workshop check the transfer case mounting screws on a lift. Broken screw threads have appeared after over 100,000 km.
  8. Check the engine oil level and ask for top-up records. A 1.6 EcoBoost can use oil between changes.

Running costs

Operational€190
Workshop€163
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)€159
Total per month€512
New-car depreciation (not included)€80

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings
1,285
25th percentile
€7,400
Median price
€8,890
75th percentile
€10,450
Median mileage
147,000 km
Median first registration
2015
Dealer share
65.1%
Price at 100,000 km
€10,275

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

1.5 EcoBoost cracked block and coolant loss

Fine cracks can form in the cylinder block of the 1.5 EcoBoost. Coolant then leaks into a cylinder. The first signs are a slowly falling coolant level and rough running on a cold start. Left alone, it ends in engine failure. Head gasket damage looks similar, so a workshop must find which one it is. The usual fix is a new short block (the engine block with pistons and crankshaft). The weak point was only fixed shortly before the model change, around mid-2019, so older 1.5 engines are affected. No repair cost is confirmed.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Kuga MK2 problems, Kolesa: Ford Kuga II with mileage, Motor-Talk: Kuga coolant loss

1.6 EcoBoost cylinder head overheating

Low coolant can make the 1.6 EcoBoost overheat. The cylinder head can crack, and oil can leak onto a hot surface and catch fire. Austria recalled cars built from 8 May 2012 to 21 Nov 2014. A specialist workshop repairs the head, with about 2.5 to 4.5 hours of labour (notice dated 2018). In South Africa the recall covered cooling parts, a software update and an oil leak check. Owners there were told to pull over and switch off on an overheating warning.

Sources: ÖAMTC: Ford cooling monitoring recall, George Herald: Ford Kuga recall explained, zr.ru: Ford Kuga on the used market

PowerShift wet clutch wear and judder

The PowerShift (6DCT450) is a six-speed dual-clutch with a wet clutch. Its clutch often wears by about 100,000 km. Judder means the clutch needs replacing at once, or debris can damage the hydraulic block and solenoids. Typical faults are oil leaks from the gearbox, notchy shifts and fast clutch wear. Shifts can slow down with mileage. Change the oil every 45,000 to 60,000 km. A clutch set costs 1,800 to 2,800 EUR and a gearbox flush 400 to 650 EUR (Germany, year not stated).

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Kuga MK2 problems, zr.ru: Ford Kuga II 2013-2019, WheelStreet: common Ford Kuga faults

Manual clutch pressure plate

On 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost manual cars the clutch pressure plate can break or crack early. A burning clutch can follow. A recall covers manual cars built from 1 August 2013 to 30 June 2016. The remedy and its cost are not stated in the sources.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Kuga MK2 problems, Carbuyer: used Ford Kuga reliability, AutoTrader SA: how reliable is the Ford Kuga

2.0 TDCi injectors and EGR

Diesel injectors clog and wear quickly. Clogging can start after as little as 50,000 km. Piezo injectors and the Delphi fuel system are considered weak. The EGR valve, which feeds exhaust gas back into the engine, is a known wear point and causes trouble on these engines. No repair cost is confirmed.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Kuga MK2 problems, zr.ru: Ford Kuga on the used market, Kolesa: Ford Kuga II with mileage

2.0 TDCi particulate filter

The diesel particulate filter (DPF, which traps soot) on the 2.0 TDCi has a known fault. The cause is too much heat while the filter burns off its soot. A software update fixes it. No repair cost is confirmed. A filter warning lamp and EGR and DPF fault codes point to the problem.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Kuga MK2 problems, AUTO BILD: Ford Kuga TÜV check, WheelStreet: common Ford Kuga faults

AWD transfer case broken threads

The transfer case, which splits drive between the front and rear axles, can come loose from its mount and be damaged on older cars. AUTO BILD found broken screw connections in its 2016 long-term test. In a later test over 100,000 km, the transfer case had broken screw threads. Ford said this was not a one-off. No repair cost is confirmed.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford Kuga MK2 problems, AUTO BILD: Ford Kuga TÜV check, AUTO BILD: Ford Kuga second generation used car of the week

1.6 EcoBoost oil use and head gasket

The 1.6 EcoBoost can use oil between oil changes. Head gasket burn-through is a common failure on these engines. No repair cost is confirmed.

Sources: Kolesa: Ford Kuga II with mileage, WheelStreet: common Ford Kuga faults

Recalls

Country Code Years What is done
Austria not given Built 8 May 2012 to 21 Nov 2014 Specialist workshop repairs the cylinder head (1.6 EcoBoost)
South Africa not given Built Dec 2012 to Feb 2014 Cooling system parts replaced, software update, oil leak check on the cylinder head
Not stated not given Built 1 Aug 2013 to 30 Jun 2016 Manual clutch pressure plate. Remedy not stated
Not stated not given 2016 to 2017 Airbag recall (Takata). Remedy not stated

Maintenance

  • PowerShift oil: change every 45,000 to 60,000 km. Clutch wear often shows by about 100,000 km.
  • Coolant: check the level in the expansion tank. Use approved coolant at the required concentration, as Ford's South African recall remedy requires.
  • Engine oil: check the level between services on a 1.6 EcoBoost. It can use oil between changes.

Sources: zr.ru: Ford Kuga on the used market, CAR Magazine: Ford Kuga recall, four technical questions, WheelStreet: common Ford Kuga faults

Sources

English

German

Russian