2014-2019 · 1.5L turbocharged petrol (120hp / 150hp / 182hp)
Popular family SUV that replaced the problematic 1.6 EcoBoost. The 1.5 is more reliable but not without issues: coolant intrusion into cylinders can cause catastrophic engine failure on pre-2019 models, clutch pressure plate fracture affected cars built 2013-2018 (recall issued), and keyless entry systems fail in winter due to water ingress. Manual gearbox versions are more reliable than automatics. Later Mk2.5 models (2017+) have fewer reported issues. Timing belt (not chain) needs replacement at 150,000 km or 10 years.
Coolant intrusion / cylinder head failure€2,500 - €9,000
Coolant leaks into cylinders causing engine damage, mainly pre-April 2019 builds · more· less
The 1.5 EcoBoost has an open-deck cooling design prone to gasket failure between engine block and cylinder head. Coolant can leak into cylinders 2 and 3 in particular, causing white smoke from exhaust, rough idle, and eventual engine failure. Ford dealers typically quote €7,000-9,000 for short block replacement. Head gasket repair alone costs €2,500-3,500. Gen II engines built after April 2019 largely resolved this issue. Symptoms: dropping coolant level with no visible external leak, white exhaust smoke, rough running.
Clutch overheats and cracks, recall 18S07 covers cars built Aug 2013 - May 2018 · more· less
Excessive clutch slip causes overheating, leading to pressure plate cracking. Warning signs: strong burning clutch smell, then a loud thud or bang when plate fractures. In extreme cases, transmission fragments can be released causing smoke or fire risk. Ford issued recall 18S07 covering vehicles built between 1 August 2013 and 28 May 2018. Affected cars get either a modified clutch kit or software update for start/stop system free of charge. If not covered by recall, clutch replacement costs €600-1,000.
Keyless entry system failure€200 - €450
Door handle sensors fail due to water/salt ingress, especially in winter · more· less
Salty water gets into door handles in winter, causing lock sensor corrosion. The locking sensor is molded into the handle assembly and cannot be replaced separately. DIY fix: remove handle, clean and dry the sensor area, reseal. Dealer replacement includes new handle which needs painting to match. Also causes battery drain as system fails to shut down properly. Common on 2017-2018 plate models.
Battery drain / electrical gremlins€100 - €400
Multiple causes: Bluetooth module, BCM, keyless system, towbar wiring · more· less
The Kuga Mk2 is notorious for parasitic battery drain. Common causes: faulty Bluetooth module (Ford has software updates), keyless entry not shutting down, instrument cluster waking up, faulty Body Control Module (BCM), aftermarket towbar wiring. Battery can drain flat within days. Check: any dash cam connections, boot light switch, Wi-Fi connections, and fuses F2/F3 in load space fusebox. Many owners join "the Kuga battery drain club" on forums.
Gearbox jumping out of gear€800 - €2,000
Manual gearbox pops out of 1st or 2nd gear due to worn synchroniser · more· less
The 6-speed manual gearbox can suffer from faulty synchronisers in 1st and 2nd gear. Symptoms: gearbox jumps out of gear into neutral when accelerating from lights or entering roundabouts. Can be dangerous. Repair requires gearbox removal and rebuild. DIY mechanics can save on labor by removing gearbox themselves. Full gearbox rebuild at specialist: €1,500-2,000.
Driveshaft creaking noise€50 - €400
Creaking from front axle when pulling away, caused by missing spline sealant · more· less
Some Mk2 Kugas have creaking noise from front axle when moving off from standstill. Cause: missing driveshaft spline sealant from factory. Either driveshaft can be affected. DIY fix is straightforward: remove, clean and reseal splines with proper sealant (€50 parts). If left and damage occurs, full driveshaft replacement costs €250-400 including labor.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€400 - €800
Direct injection means valves don't get fuel-washed clean, carbon accumulates · more· less
All direct injection engines suffer this issue. The 1.5 EcoBoost injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber, so intake valves never get cleaned by fuel washing over them. Carbon deposits build up over time, reducing airflow and causing rough running. Ford recommends walnut shell blasting every 60,000-80,000 km. DIY chemical cleaning (CRC GDI cleaner) can help but is less effective than professional walnut blasting.
Steering rack / power steering failure€800 - €1,800
Electric power steering rack wear or sensor failure causes steering warning · more· less
The Kuga uses an electric power steering rack. Failures can be sensor-related or full rack wear. Steering angle sensor is integrated and cannot be replaced separately. Symptoms: steering malfunction warning, loss of power assistance. Replacement requires lowering subframe by ~15cm. Reconditioned rack: €400-600. New OEM rack with motor/ECU: €1,200+. ECU may need recalibration after installation.
Better than the 1.6, but monitor coolant closely
The 1.5 EcoBoost is a significant improvement over the fire-prone 1.6 it replaced. Most owners report trouble-free ownership with regular servicing. However, the coolant intrusion issue on pre-2019 engines is serious and can be catastrophic if ignored. Check coolant level weekly and investigate any unexplained drops immediately. Manual gearbox versions avoid the Powershift issues found on diesel models.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Ford dealer or specialist records. EcoBoost engines need quality oil and correct intervals.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), uneven wear. Common size: 235/55 R17.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for any unusual rattling or rough running.
Body condition
Likely used in city parking - check for scuffs and kerb damage on alloys.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds and gear changes.
Specific for this vehicle
Check coolant level and condition
Most critical check. Level should be stable. Any unexplained drops suggest internal leak. Look for white residue around expansion tank or milky oil.
White smoke from exhaust
With engine warm, have someone rev while you watch exhaust. White smoke indicates coolant burning in cylinders - walk away.
Test all keyless entry buttons
Press lock/unlock buttons on both front door handles. Unresponsive buttons indicate water damage - common issue.
Verify clutch recall completed (manual cars)
For cars built Aug 2013 - May 2018, confirm recall 18S07 was performed. Smell for burning clutch.
Check battery health
Ask how often battery has been flat. "Kuga battery drain" is well-documented. Check battery age.
Listen for driveshaft creak
From standstill, accelerate gently and listen for creaking from front wheels. Indicates missing spline sealant.
Test gearbox engagement
Select 1st and 2nd gear multiple times. Drive and accelerate in both gears - should not pop out into neutral.
Check for EPC / limp mode history
Ask if car has ever gone into limp mode. Scan for stored fault codes relating to engine and transmission.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Clutch pressure plate fracture (Aug 2013 - May 2018)Verify completed
Engine fire risk - 1.6L only (Dec 2012 - Jul 2014)1.6L specific
B-pillar trim fire risk (Dec 2012 - Jun 2014)Verify completed
Contact Ford with VIN to verify all applicable recalls completed. The clutch recall (18S07) is particularly important for manual 1.5 EcoBoost cars built before mid-2018. Use the UK Government vehicle recall checker or Ford's official recall lookup.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2-3 years)Expired on most Mk2s
Powertrain warrantyExpired
Timing belt interval150,000 km / 10 years
All Mk2 Kugas (2013-2019) are now outside factory warranty. The 1.5 EcoBoost uses a timing belt (not chain), replacement recommended at 150,000 km or 10 years. Some owners report belts lasting 200,000+ km, but this is not recommended. Combine with water pump replacement to save on labor.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.