Used Ford Kuga 2013-2020 reliability

Any Kuga is likely to have been used in tight city centre car parks so it’s worth checking for scuffs on the bodywork and for kerb damage on the alloy wheels. Check also the condition and operation of the rear seats; they should fold down and flip up easily.

Owners report problems with the radio losing signal, and the car going into limp-home mode for no apparent reason. Non-engine electrics, with items such as air-con and sat-nav, were noted as the most common problems, although the actual number of faults reported is pretty low.

Make sure any automatic version you go to see has been serviced regularly in time with manufacturer recommendations. If this has been neglected, then you could be looking at a hefty bill for a gearbox replacement at some point in the future.

Engine sump may crack

Due to potential overheating issues with the 2.0-litre diesel engine in examples made between 13 October 2014 and 26 September 2015, the sump may crack and let all the oil out of the engine. A Ford dealer will be able to find out if your car is affected and book it in to have the software updated to recognise when the engine is overheating and take preventative action.

Clutch pressure plate

On both 1.6 and later 1.5-litre Ecoboost engines, the clutch pressure plate could fracture on Kugas built between 1 August 2013 and 28 May 2018. The early signs are a strong smell of burning clutch, followed by a loud thud or bang when the plate fractures. A Ford dealer will be able to provide more details because affected cars will need either a modified clutch kit or a software update of the start/stop system.

Side and or knee airbag not deploying

A defective airbag ignitor on some vehicles manufactured from 28 July 2016 and 27 December 2016 may prevent the side airbags or driver's knee airbag from deploying in a collision. Speak to a Ford dealer to find out if your Kuga is affected because it will need to be inspected by a technician if it is and have the relevant airbags replaced.

Cylinder head might crack

There has been a recall issued for some of the earlier 1.6-litre engines fitted to Kugas built before 20 December 2014. The problem is that the cylinder head might crack if the engine overheats and could in extreme circumstances catch fire. If your car is affected, it will need to be inspected at a Ford dealership to check the condition of the engine and cooling system, followed by the addition of a coolant level sensor and some software to provide the driver with an audible and visual warning if the temperature gets too high. If you'd like further information about this issue, read our news story here.

B pillar trim insulation

A small section of insulation on the B pillar may need to be removed on cars made up to 19 June 2014 because it is too close to the seat belt pre tensioner, and it could catch fire if the tensioner goes off in the event of a collision. Speak to a Ford dealer for further information.

The Ford Kuga is a generally reliable car, but less so in regards to diesel models. In our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, petrol Kugas came 24th out of 29 cars in the large SUV class. Its reliability score of 93.8% could be better, but it's respectable: petrol Kugas proved more reliable than the rival Mazda CX-5 and BMW X3.

Diesel Kugas placed last with a slightly concerning score of 85.0%. These diesel cars took longer to fix than their petrol couterparts – 28% of cars we were told about were off the road for more than a week, whereas all petrols were fixed within seven days. Ford paid for 80% of repairs on Kuga diesels, but 4% of owners had to pay up to £1500.

As a car brand, Ford performed decently, ranking 17th out of 32 manufacturers featured. Its reliability score of 91.4% makes it a more reliable brand than Seat and Volkswagen, but less reliable than Hyundai and Kia.

Used Ford Kuga: owners' reliability data

Reader feedback we’ve received highlights a mixed bag in terms of reliability. Some owners praised their Kuga for its steadfast reliability, reporting few to no issues throughout their ownership. However, others weren't as fortunate, facing recurring faults, particularly with the engine and electrical systems.

These problems often led to multiple visits to dealerships, with a notable portion of readers expressing dissatisfaction with dealer service. Complaints ranged from prolonged repair times to perceived expensive charges for fixes.

On the other hand, we did see many positive dealer interactions, where staff were commended for their helpful and professional service.