Ford's first performance crossover in Europe, blending Fiesta ST-derived thrills with raised SUV-style practicality and the clever MegaBox boot. The 1.5 EcoBoost three-cylinder produces 200 hp and drives through a six-speed manual gearbox only. Built from late 2020, all Puma STs have the revised cross-drilled cylinder block, avoiding the coolant intrusion problem that plagued earlier Fiesta ST 1.5s.· more· less
Revised block, no coolant issueFun chassis with practical boot
Steering column clicking common12V battery drain on many cars
Buy if: You want hot hatch fun in a practical crossover body and can live with a few electrical niggles and occasional trim rattles.
Avoid if: You mostly do short urban trips (GPF clogging, battery drain) or expect German-level interior refinement.
Price & maintenance
Used price
€21,900
median asking price, typically 40,000 km
Typical range€20,000 – €24,000
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€850 – €1,600/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€550 – €950 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€300 – €650 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Used price
€21,900
Typically €20,000 – €24,000, at around 40,000 km.
Kilometres driven
Maintenance
€850 – €1,600per year
€550 – €950
service, tyres, brakes
€300 – €650
repair buffer
Price & maintenance
Used price
€24,000
median asking price, typically 40,000 km
Typical range€22,100 – €25,800
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€850 – €1,600/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€550 – €950 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€300 – €650 /yr
Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Worn bushings in the steering column or loose rack bolts cause a clicking noise when turning at low speed · more· less
This is the most frequently reported issue on the Puma ST. Owners describe a clicking, creaking, or metallic 'ching' sound when turning the steering wheel, particularly at low speed or when stationary. The cause varies: some cars have worn bushings inside the sealed steering column unit, while others have loose steering rack retaining bolts. Ford has issued a Technical Service Bulletin and will replace the steering column or tighten rack bolts with a revised part. Dealer quotes for a full steering column replacement are typically around €1,600-1,800. Cars within the warranty period were covered at no cost, and some owners just outside warranty received partial goodwill contributions. The issue is cosmetic and does not affect steering safety, but it is annoying and devalues the car if unresolved. Check carefully during any test drive.
12V battery drain
up to €4002 of 7
Factory Rombat battery loses charge after 5-7 days parked, triggering deep sleep mode and failed keyless entry · more· less
Many Puma ST owners report the 12V battery going flat after 5-7 days of not driving. Symptoms include keyless door locks not working, boot wave-opening failing, and stop-start not functioning. The factory-fitted Rombat batteries are the primary culprit. Ford dealers typically replace the battery with a Varta unit and perform a software update, which resolves the issue for most owners. There was also a recall for TCU modem drain on early Pumas where the modem stayed on and drained the battery. An independent battery replacement costs €100-150, while Ford dealer replacement with software update runs €200-400. Using a CTEK trickle charger is recommended if the car sits for more than a few days. Some owners report the screen backlight remaining on after shutdown as a contributing factor.
Carbon buildup on intake valves
up to €6003 of 7
Deposits can build on the intake valves, restricting airflow and gradually reducing performance · more· less
The 1.5 EcoBoost is not direct injection only: Ford's specification lists six-hole direct injectors plus three low-pressure port injectors, and the port injectors wash the back of the intake valves. Deposits are therefore possible but not inevitable. Symptoms include gradual power loss, rougher idle, and increased fuel consumption, typically becoming noticeable between 60,000 and 100,000 km. Short trips and gentle driving accelerate buildup. Where deposits do build up, walnut blasting costs €350-500 at a specialist. Spark plugs are replaced every two years per the service schedule, which helps somewhat. Occasional spirited driving and quality fuel with good detergent additives slow the process but cannot prevent it entirely.
Turbo wastegate rattle and sticking
up to €1,5004 of 7
Wastegate bushing wears or flap sticks from carbon buildup, causing rattle and boost control issues · more· less
The turbocharger wastegate can develop a rattle from worn bushings or the flap sticking due to carbon buildup. This is more common on cars driven gently or only for short trips, as the wastegate does not cycle through its full range. Symptoms include a metallic rattle at idle (often at 1,500-2,000 rpm), followed by potential underboost or overboost fault codes, loss of power, and limp mode. Ford does not sell the wastegate actuator separately. A specialist can rebuild or replace just the actuator for €500-600, but if turbo internals are damaged from prolonged overboosting, a full turbo replacement costs €1,200-1,500. Regular spirited driving that exercises the wastegate helps prevent this issue. Typically appears after 60,000 km.
Wheel arch paint bubbling and corrosion
up to €2,0005 of 7
Paint bubbling on wheel arch edges from trapped moisture, particularly the rears · more· less
A known issue across the Ford Puma range. Water from the roof channels down past the rear lights and gets trapped behind the arch liners, rubbing away the factory paint. The rear arches are worst affected. Some owners report visible bubbling paint within 3-4 years, even on garage-kept cars. Repair costs approximately €400-500 per arch for proper rust removal, treatment, and repainting. Ford's anti-perforation warranty covers actual perforation, but Ford often classifies this as surface corrosion, making warranty claims difficult. Applying underbody sealant or wax to the arch lips is a worthwhile preventive measure. White cars seem more prone to visible paint issues.
SYNC infotainment freezing
up to €8006 of 7
Screen freezes, goes black, or reboots unexpectedly during driving · more· less
The SYNC 3 system on the Puma ST occasionally freezes, goes black, or reboots while driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto may disconnect randomly. A soft reset (press and hold Power + Right-Seek buttons for 5 seconds) resolves most incidents. Persistent issues may require dealer software updates (free under warranty) or a master reset that erases all settings. In rare cases, the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) hardware fails and needs replacement at approximately €600-800 including programming. The FordPass connectivity app is also unreliable, with remote locking and location features often not working. Most SYNC issues are resolvable with resets or updates rather than hardware replacement.
GPF clogging on short trips
up to €6007 of 7
Gasoline Particulate Filter blocks up when car is used mainly for short urban trips · more· less
The Puma ST is fitted with a Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) that requires periodic regeneration through sustained driving at higher speeds. Cars used primarily for short urban trips may display an 'Exhaust filter limit reached' warning after as few as 1,000 km of city driving. Driving for 20-30 minutes on the motorway usually triggers a regeneration cycle and clears the warning. If the filter becomes too clogged, a dealer-forced regeneration costs approximately €200-300. In extreme cases, GPF replacement costs €400-600. This is a usage pattern issue rather than a design defect. A software/firmware update to the Power Module has resolved the issue for some vehicles.
Niggly rather than catastrophic, but needs regular driving
The Puma ST's 1.5 EcoBoost is fundamentally robust and benefits from the revised cross-drilled block that eliminated the coolant intrusion issue affecting earlier Fiesta STs. Most problems are electrical niggles (battery drain, SYNC freezes) or maintenance items inherent to direct-injection turbo engines (carbon buildup, wastegate). The steering column clicking is the most annoying fault but is not safety-related. Cars driven regularly on longer trips fare significantly better than those used only for short urban commutes. Budget for a trickle charger, periodic carbon cleaning, and arch corrosion prevention.
Service history
Complete Ford dealer or specialist records. Verify oil changes at 12-month or 20,000 km intervals. Spark plugs should be replaced every 2 years.
Tires
Check tread depth and age of the 225/40 R19 tires. These are an expensive size to replace. Performance driving wears the inner edges of front tires.
Cold start
Start the engine completely cold. Listen for unusual rattles or metallic sounds from the turbo area in the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes including town and motorway. Get the engine fully warm to check for boost issues and listen for suspension clunks.
Specific for this vehicle
Turn the steering wheel at low speed and when stationary
Listen for clicking, creaking, or a metallic 'ching' noise from the steering column. This is the most common Puma ST complaint. Not a safety issue but costly to fix out of warranty.
Check 12V battery voltage and age
Ask whether the original Rombat battery has been replaced. If not, it may drain within a week of parking. Check for Varta or Yuasa replacement as a positive sign.
Inspect all four wheel arches for rust or paint bubbling
Pay particular attention to the rear arch edges. Look for paint bubbling, surface rust, or evidence of previous repair. Run your finger along the edges and check behind the arch liners.
+ 4 more checksShow less
Test turbo boost response under load
Accelerate hard from 2,000 rpm in 3rd gear. Boost should come on smoothly. Any hesitation, rattling, or warning light suggests wastegate or turbo issues.
Test SYNC infotainment system thoroughly
Connect a phone via Bluetooth and USB. Test CarPlay/Android Auto. Check for freezing, black screen, or disconnection. Verify latest software version is installed.
Check gearbox operation through all gears
The 6-speed manual is known to be notchy. Shift through all gears, particularly 1st to 2nd and into 3rd. Some grinding may indicate linkage wear. Ensure clutch engagement is smooth.
Verify all recalls completed with VIN
Contact Ford with the VIN to confirm the oil separator recall (UK R/2022/171 / Ford 22S21), fuel line chafing recall (25S10), and any other applicable recalls have been completed.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Engine oil separator damage and fire risk (Jun 2020 - May 2022) - UK R/2022/171 / Ford 22S21Verify completed
Fuel line chafing on support bracket (Nov 2021 - Sep 2024) - recall 25S10Verify completed
eCall SOS system software fault (2020-2021 production)Verify completed
Restraint control module incorrectly configured (2023 production) - Ford 23S52 / R/2023/264Verify if applicable
Instrument cluster campaign 24C18 (January - July 2024 production)Verify if applicable
Tyres not meeting rolling resistance requirements (2023 Puma ST) - Ford 23C33 / R/2023/329Verify completed
The Puma ST has had several recalls, with the oil separator fire risk (UK R/2022/171 / Ford 22S21) and fuel line chafing (25S10) being the most widespread. The fuel line recall affects cars built up to September 2024, covering nearly the entire production run. Build windows differ slightly between national registers, so contact Ford with the VIN to establish exactly which campaigns apply and that they have been completed.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)Expired on 2020-2023 models, may apply to late 2024 cars
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)Still active on all Puma ST models
Extended warrantyAvailable through Ford dealers, approx. €250/year
Most used Puma STs are now outside their original 2-year factory warranty. The 12-year rust perforation warranty remains active on all examples, though Ford's definition of perforation versus surface corrosion can be restrictive for wheel arch claims. Extended warranty plans covering up to 5 years / 100,000 km are available through Ford dealers.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
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.
