Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 EcoBlue, 150 PS, 6-speed automatic Research | €552 | €11,470 | 213 | Diesel | YMCB | Automatic (6) | 2018–2019 |
| 2.0 EcoBlue, 150 PS, 8-speed automatic Research | €555 | €11,470 | 213 | Diesel | YMCB | Automatic (8) | 2018–2019 |
| 2.0 TDCi, 150 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research | €495 | €11,470 | 213 | Diesel | YMCB | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2015–2018 |
| 2.0 TDCi, 180 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research | €489 | €11,999 | 167 | Diesel | T8CJ | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2015–2018 |
| 2.0 TDCi, 180 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €516 | €11,999 | 167 | Diesel | T8CJ | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2015–2018 |
| 2.0 EcoBlue, 190 PS, 8-speed automatic Research | €548 | €16,999 | 141 | Diesel | BCCC | Automatic (8) | 2018–2019 |
| 2.0 EcoBlue, 190 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €564 | €16,999 | 141 | Diesel | BCCC | Automatic (8) | 2018–2019 |
| 1.5 EcoBoost, 160 PS, 6-speed manual | €553 | €10,750 | 103 | Petrol | UNCK | Manual (6) | 2015–2018 |
| 2.0 TDCi, 210 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research | €516 | €11,500 | 87 | Diesel | T9CD | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2015–2018 |
| 2.0 EcoBlue, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €535 | €11,000 | 71 | Diesel | YMCB | Manual (6) | 2018–2019 |
| 2.0 TDCi, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €495 | €11,000 | 71 | Diesel | YMCB | Manual (6) | 2015–2018 |
| 2.0 EcoBlue, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €551 | €11,000 | 71 | Diesel | YMCB | Manual (6) | 2018–2019 |
| 2.0 TDCi, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €508 | €11,000 | 71 | Diesel | YMCB | Manual (6) | 2015–2018 |
| 2.0 EcoBoost, 240 PS, 6-speed automatic | €570 | €16,000 | 65 | Petrol | R9CI | Automatic (6) | 2015–2018 |
| 1.5 EcoBoost, 165 PS, 6-speed manual | €614 | €14,990 | 60 | Petrol | UNCP | Manual (6) | 2018–2019 |
| 2.0 EcoBlue, 240 PS, 8-speed automatic Research | €567 | €17,750 | 60 | Diesel | YLCB | Automatic (8) | 2018–2019 |
| 2.0 TDCi, 180 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €489 | €12,590 | 50 | Diesel | T8CJ | Manual (6) | 2015–2018 |
Show all 17 variants
At a glance
- Large MPV built 2015 to 2023, with five or seven seats. Petrol 1.5 and 2.0 EcoBoost, 2.0 TDCi diesel to 2018, 2.0 EcoBlue diesel from 2018, and a 2.5 hybrid from 2021.
- The main risks are the Powershift gearbox (2015-2018), the timing belt that runs in oil on the 2.0 EcoBlue, and oil loss.
- Reliability: 2/5, because the Powershift gearbox and the EcoBlue belt can cost a lot, and oil loss is common.
- DIY: 2/5, because gearbox and belt work needs a garage. Most buyer checks need only a look and the service records.
- Prefer: a well-kept car with low mileage and full service records. Auto Bild and t-online both advise this.
- Avoid: a 2015-2018 Powershift car with no gearbox oil records, and a 2.0 EcoBlue with no proof of a belt change.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.5 EcoBoost petrol, 160 and 165 PS, manual: a clutch pressure plate recall covers these manual cars (see Recalls).
- 2.0 EcoBoost petrol, 240 PS, automatic (2015-2018): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 2.5 hybrid, 190 PS (2021-2023): the oil-pan recall covers hybrids built 2020 to 2023 (see Recalls).
- 2.0 TDCi diesel, 120 to 210 PS (2015-2018): turbo, EGR, dual mass flywheel and injector faults apply, mainly to the stronger versions. The 150 PS code YMCB is shared with the 2018-on EcoBlue.
- 2.0 EcoBlue diesel, 150, 190 and 240 PS (2018 on): the timing belt in oil is the main risk. Turbo, EGR and injector faults apply too.
- 6-speed manual: the clutch recall covers the 1.5 EcoBoost with this gearbox (see Recalls).
- 6-speed Powershift dual-clutch, wet (2015-2018): the top risk, see Known issues.
- 6-speed automatic: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 8-speed automatic (2018 on): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- Hybrid eCVT: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- All-wheel drive: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powershift gearbox | Wet dual-clutch, 2015-2018 | 173,000 and 225,000 km (garage cases on Mondeo cars with the same gearbox) | No confirmed price |
| EcoBlue timing belt in oil | 2.0 EcoBlue, 2018 on | Inspect from 70,000-80,000 km; change at 100,000-110,000 km | No confirmed price |
| Oil loss | All engines and the drive | Not stated; seen at the first inspection | No confirmed price |
| Diesel injectors | 2.0 TDCi and 2.0 EcoBlue | High mileage, not stated | No confirmed price |
| Turbocharger | Stronger diesels | High mileage, not stated | No confirmed price |
| EGR valve | Stronger diesels | High mileage, not stated | No confirmed price |
| Dual mass flywheel | Stronger diesels with manual gearbox | High mileage, not stated | No confirmed price |
| Brake hoses and lines | All | Not stated; carwiki.de says after a few years | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Ask for the gearbox service record, with the correct oil and change dates. Drive from cold and pull away gently. Judder, jerky shifts or limp mode are bad signs. A scanner should show no gearbox fault codes.
- Ask for an invoice for the timing belt change. A 2.0 EcoBlue past 110,000 km with no record has an overdue belt.
- Ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN for open recall 23S27 (hybrid oil pan). An open campaign must be done first.
- Ask for the injector work record. A rough idle, misfire or lost power points to the injectors. A scanner reads the fault codes.
- On a stronger diesel, check for jerking or lost power under load. A scanner reads the turbo codes, such as P2599.
- Ask whether the EGR valve was cleaned or replaced at high mileage. A warning light or fault code means it needs a look. A scanner reads the codes.
- On a manual stronger diesel, ask for a clutch and flywheel record. A car with no such work at high mileage needs a close look.
- Check the oil level on the dipstick. Look under the engine, gearbox and drive for wet spots. A low level between services means a leak.
- Look at the brake hoses and lines at each wheel and along the underbody. Cracks, bulges or wet spots mean they need replacing before purchase.
Running costs
| Operational | €201 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €154 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €179 |
| Total per month | €534 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €85 |
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.
- Listings
- 1,052
- 25th percentile
- €9,950
- Median price
- €12,991
- 75th percentile
- €15,999
- Median mileage
- 144,900 km
- Median first registration
- 2017
- Dealer share
- 62.7%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €16,055
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Powershift gearbox
Symptoms: judder when pulling away, jerky shifts, oil leaks, sudden loss of power and limp mode. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de also names gearbox damage for the model. Cause: a garage teardown on a Mondeo with the same wet Powershift found worn clutch discs and pistons, a damaged damper, metal debris in the hydraulic unit and failed solenoids. The Mondeo posts count for this gearbox only. Fix: new clutch discs, pistons, solenoids and seals, and a rebuilt hydraulic unit. Auto Express says the gearbox must get the correct oil. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de advises a transmission service every 50,000 to 60,000 km. Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max Mk2 problems, Auto Express: used Ford S-MAX 2015-2023, DRIVE2 garage: Powershift 6DCT450 repair
EcoBlue timing belt in oil
Symptoms: the belt runs in an oil bath. Oil additives and fuel slowly break down the rubber. Particles, and in rare cases whole teeth, reach the oil filter and pump intake, or block fine oil channels. Oil pressure then falls step by step, and the first warning signs often come late. Kolesa.ru and auto motor und sport report this on the EcoBlue diesel family; neither names the S-Max. Fix: inspect from about 70,000 to 80,000 km and change at about 100,000 to 110,000 km (kolesa.ru). Oil changes at least every 10,000 km (kolesa.ru). Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: auto motor und sport: EcoBlue timing belt in oil, kolesa.ru: EcoBlue diesel, belt in oil and injectors
Oil loss
Symptoms: the engine, gearbox or drive loses oil between services. Echo24.de calls it the biggest weakness of the second generation, and it shows at the first inspection. Carwiki.de calls it typical. Cause and fix: not stated. Check the level and look for leaks at each service. Which cars: all. Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: t-online: S-Max II as used car, echo24: S-Max II at the TÜV, carwiki: Ford S-Max problems
Diesel injectors
Symptoms: gebrauchtwagenberater.de lists the injectors among the diesel weak points at high mileage. Kolesa.ru describes a 2019 defect on the 2.0 EcoBlue engine family (its page does not name the S-Max): a coating on the injector channels peels and blocks the fuel flow. Which cars: cars built from 25 February to 13 September 2019, according to kolesa.ru. Fix: not stated. Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max Mk2 problems, kolesa.ru: EcoBlue diesel, belt in oil and injectors
Turbocharger
Symptoms: on the EcoBlue family, turbo drive failures cause jerking and lost power, often with fault code P2599 (kolesa.ru). AUTO BILD names the turbochargers of the strong diesels in its TÜV data. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de lists the turbo as a weak point at high mileage. Cause and fix: not stated. Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD: S-Max strengths and weaknesses at the TÜV, gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max Mk2 problems, kolesa.ru: EcoBlue diesel, belt in oil and injectors
EGR valve
Symptoms: AUTO BILD says the EGR valves of the strong diesels fail the TÜV inspection. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de lists the EGR valve among the diesel weak points at high mileage. Cause and fix: not stated. Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD: S-Max strengths and weaknesses at the TÜV, gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max Mk2 problems
Dual mass flywheel
Symptoms: AUTO BILD says the dual-mass flywheels of the strong diesels fail. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de lists the flywheel among the diesel weak points at high mileage. Cause and fix: not stated. Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD: S-Max strengths and weaknesses at the TÜV, gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max Mk2 problems
Brake hoses and lines
Symptoms: brake lines and hoses are flagged at the TÜV inspection, and t-online.de says they stand out from the third inspection on. Echo24.de calls the brake lines susceptible. Cause: carwiki.de blames the heavy car and high mileage. The brake function itself gets good marks (t-online.de, echo24.de). Fix and cost: not stated; no confirmed price.
Sources: t-online: S-Max II as used car, echo24: S-Max II at the TÜV, carwiki: Ford S-Max problems
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU and Germany | 23S27 | Built 4 August 2020 to 1 March 2023 | Hybrid: cooling airflow clogs an oil channel and the connecting-rod bearing can seize. The rod can detach and the oil pan or block can rupture, causing an oil leak and fire risk. Owners contact a Ford dealer; the fix is not described. |
| UK and Germany | not given | Campaign 2018, repeated 2019; build years not stated | EcoBoost petrol with manual gearbox: the clutch pressure plate can fracture, a fire risk. Remedy: replacement (Auto Express), or a software update or better clutch (carwiki.de). |
| Germany | not given | Campaign 2021; build years not stated | Rust on the rear suspension: transverse link bolts can break from corrosion. The remedy is not given. |
Check every open campaign by VIN with a Ford dealer before you buy.
Maintenance
- Powershift: use the correct gearbox oil and keep to the service interval, about every 50,000 to 60,000 km (gebrauchtwagenberater.de).
- EcoBlue belt: inspect from 70,000 to 80,000 km and change at about 100,000 to 110,000 km. Change the oil at least every 10,000 km (kolesa.ru).
- Check the oil level at every service and look for leaks under the engine, gearbox and drive.
Sources
English
German
- gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max Mk2 problems
- AUTO BILD: S-Max strengths and weaknesses at the TÜV
- t-online: S-Max II as used car
- carwiki: Ford S-Max problems
- auto motor und sport: EcoBlue timing belt in oil
- car-recalls.eu: S-Max 2020-2023 hybrid engine recall
- echo24: S-Max II at the TÜV