FORD KUGA BUYERS GUIDE (MK2/2.5) | All Common Problems EXPOSED

ALL the common issues you need to know if you're looking to buy a Ford Kuga

If you need any advice on finding you're Kuga drop a comment below.

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[johansteyn]

I can only share my 9 years of personal experience with my current 2014 1.6 manual Kuga. (135000 km) And that is a trouble-free absolute pleasant motoring experience. What a drive. Superb car. ❤

[daviddavis]

We have two 2015 2litre diesels with manual gearboxes in the family, both are used for towing,
Apart from usual servicing items and battery replacement, Neither of them have had a single problem between them. I have another relative who has been impressed with Kuga and got himself one of the later models,

[-DC-]

Had a manual 1.5 Tdci since 2017 now on 61k without a single problem, 45 mpg comfortable good sound system good ride nice steering and gearshift, Had far more expensive cars but been pleased with this.

[chrisofalltrades]

Hiya mate, you actually saved me and my wife from wasting £10k on a 2016 pre-face lift with powershift so thank you very much, you earnt my sub. We were literally heading out to buy it today, finance sorted and everything.

[sonytransit]

4 years in with a 2018 2.0 tdci fwd Kuga. No issues at all, passed every mot without any advisories! Great car.

[ronniemcguire]

Now on my 4th, a Kuga Vignale, best cars I’ve ever had and wouldn’t hesitate to buy another, you can make a video like this on all models, they’ve all got good n bad points

[martinmeasures]

Thanks for the tips, I'm looking for a 2017 st line with auto box and all wheel drive, I was halfway convinced, now it's a given.

[zm]

I took a 2014 pre facelift for a test drive few days ago. I heard what sounds like a bad wheel bearing at the rear. Dealership has noted this and said they will look into it so I will 100% be checking to see if the drive shafts are there thank you

[CraigThomas-CAT]

How do you fix the boot leak? Looking to buy a Kuga soon and heard of this being an issue on some cars.

[PhilippBorn]

2:55 Forgot to mention the 1.5 EB leaking coolant into the cylinders.

There's also a rust issue, where the forward facing end of the rear taillights will rub through the paint. Both sides. Covered under warranty and will cause the car to be at the dealer for 4 days because it's gonna get painted. But a great negotiating point if you're buying from a seller who doesn't know about it.

[sisoandroido]

I have the mk2 model 180hp with automatic transmission and can assure you the powershift for 150k km is working fine without any problems, sounds and hiccups.

[Kate_Short-For-Bob]

Something not mentioned for the AWD versions - lots of reported problems with the power transfer unit (PTU) - the unit that hangs off the end of the gearbox and sends power from front to back via the prop shaft.
There's a history of them failing as they don't hold much oil, has no air flow over it, and they get hot from the adjacent exhaust, cat, and gearbox that surrounds them. 'Sealed for life' say Ford. In other words sealed until they fail just out of the rubbish 3 year warranty. The oil turns to sticky gunky tar due to the heat. And older versions have no drain plug either !
Everywhere except Ford recommends changing the oil in it frequently (using a suction pump if it's a version with no drain plug).

[andredowse]

great video about the Kuga, I've got 2018 ST Line X 180 auto AWD, its a great tow car. no problems with it since I had it from May 2019. now done 32K. one issue I would like to know more about is the leaking boot, I have had this issue and would like to to know there it is getting in.

[gerardbegley]

Had a 2015 plate titanium sport x manual gearbox, around 65 000 mls now for 5 yrs now and still love and trust it After watching your video went and found water in boot What’s the quick solution you referred to please

[Youtube_deleted_my_favourites]

I have 2016 2l diesel auto, all sorts of problems by a fully serviced 70k miles. Limp home mode, awd overheat, the lot. Not sure if these are just niggly or weather to upgrade to, as you say, a newer face-lift model

[rogersturgeon]

min is a 2016 2ltr when is the belt due

[AnneFoster-wigv]

Have a 2017 Kuga, bought 2019, garage retired so had to go to another main dealer. From day one had issue with shuddering, going limp and smoke. Brought to Ford garage who did DPF regen, engine light back on, had difficulty getting them to fix anything. Have gone to 5 more garages in reasonable distance (rural), only this June to go full circle back to Ford. Same problem - shuddering, black smoke, repeated different error codes, limp mode etc. Left for a month with Ford garage who said it was the turbo and £2k plus to fix. They put it in and it didn't fix it, so got it back exactly the same as they consulted Ford who said its the 'brain' or computer etc. Found out that one of the other mechanics drilled out the DPF and 'remapped' it and welded up a plate underneath (I think ERG) as part of their 'fixing' the problem. Ford said if they put in the new brain system, the whole DPF thing will have to be undone and refitted at another 2k plus. Meanwhile my arguments with them that is was faulty way back then went unheard, warranty ran out during lockdown when I couldn't get an appointment with them and now I've had such an array of error messages that everyone wants to charge to fix when in fact the computer is absolutely screwed up from the start. What do you do with that issue? Wouldn't touch another Ford again - left with a heap that can be barely driven, can't be traded in for anything worth value, and in a rural area lost without transport. Wish I had of looked up all of the boards and info before I took it on.

[rayshobbies]

Just wandering how to fix water leak in boot please.

[Leonard_K]

We are just about to trade in our 2017 Kuga 2.0l diesel AWD STI Line for a brand new Kuga STI Line plugin hybrid. I love our current one but there has been an intermittent whine been developing since last year. I asked the dealers to check last year when it was being serviced but they came back as finding no issues just said road noise or the fact we had wind deflectors fitted. I knew otherwise but couldn’t provide the evidence, now it’s pretty constant and a few knowledgeable people I know have suggested the diff maybe starting to fail so having the fear of a massive bill we have decided to jump before the issue fully develops. Also I know another Kuga owner who had a preface lift model and had that gearbox issue and it cost him £3000 to get the old one out either and serviced or a reconditioned one put in along with a new clutch, making it no longer cost effective for him to sell/trade the vehicle in.

[StePhillips]

You had me worried!!! About to purchase a 2016 prefacelift 2.0d powershift tomorrow. But thankfully it's the Euro 6 180bhp (not the Euro 5 163bhp), so has the newer gearbox. Hope this helps to clarify things for others