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

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

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.5 EcoBoost, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€535	€12,500	719	Petrol	M8MD	Manual (6)	2017–2019
2.0 TDCi, 180 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€516	€14,800	264	Diesel	T8MC	Automatic (dual-clutch) (6)	2017–2019
1.5 EcoBoost, 120 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€553	€11,099	202	Petrol	BNMC	Manual (6)	2017–2019
2.0 TDCi, 150 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€501	€13,900	202	Diesel	T7MD	Automatic (dual-clutch) (6)	2017–2019
1.5 EcoBoost, 175 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€582	€15,200	185	Petrol	M9ME	Automatic (6)	2018–2019
1.5 EcoBoost, 182 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€535	€13,800	150	Petrol	M9MD	Automatic (6)	2017–2018
2.0 TDCi, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€493	€13,190	149	Diesel	T7MD	Manual (6)	2017–2019
2.0 TDCi, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€523	€13,190	149	Diesel	T7MD	Manual (6)	2017–2019
1.5 TDCi, 120 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€454	€12,500	136	Diesel	XWME	Manual (6)	2017–2019
1.5 EcoBoost, 150 PS, 6-speed automatic Research	€586	€14,900	101	Petrol	M8MD	Automatic (6)	2019
1.5 TDCi, 120 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research	€447	€11,990	60	Diesel	XWME	Automatic (dual-clutch) (6)	2017–2018
2.0 EcoBoost, 242 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	–	€16,950	55	Petrol	R9MA	Automatic (6)	2017–2018

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.

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.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check the engine oil level and ask for top-up records. A 1.6 EcoBoost can use oil between changes.

Operational	€198
Workshop	€164
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€156
Total per month	€518
New-car depreciation (not included)	€78

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

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

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