Ford Puma ST

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.

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.

All direct-injection EcoBoost engines accumulate carbon on the back of the intake valves because fuel sprays directly into the cylinder rather than washing over the valves. 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. The fix is walnut blasting, which costs €350-500 at a specialist. This is not a defect but a maintenance reality of direct injection. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.