Ford Galaxy
1.5 EcoBoost 118 kW/160 hp, S-Max II (2015-2019) / Galaxy III
Solid EcoBoost
160 hp in the Galaxy Mk3: adequate for relaxed family touring. No thrills, but dependable.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The 1.5 EcoBoost UNCI (Focus MK4 early build) is affected by the known engine block hairline cracks. Revised block from mid-2019. Check older examples carefully for coolant loss before purchase.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, white smoke, foaming coolant in expansion tank
The 1.5 EcoBoost four-cylinder (up to model year 2019) is susceptible to cylinder head damage from undetected coolant loss. Overheating leads to cylinder head cracking and fire risk.
Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss without warning, engine overheating, power loss, burning smell
Early 1.5 EcoBoost four-cylinders (up to approximately March 2019) are prone to hairline cracks in the cylinder block. Coolant enters the cylinders and causes severe engine damage. Short block replacement required.
Symptoms: Rough cold start, white smoke from exhaust, coolant loss with no external leak, check engine light.
Individual 1.5 EcoBoost engines show piston ring fractures from as early as 35,000 km. The affected cylinder loses compression completely; short block replacement required.
Symptoms: Sudden power loss, severe hesitation or engine stall, measurable compression loss in one cylinder.
The 1.5 EcoBoost UNCI is prone to fuel entering the engine oil on short-trip use. Ford Service Action 19S42 recommends shorter oil change intervals for city drivers.
Symptoms: Oil level rising, fuel smell in oil, oil feels thin
On the 1.5 EcoBoost UNCI the timing chain can rattle briefly on a cold engine with dropping oil pressure. Caught early, a chain tensioner replacement is often sufficient.
Symptoms: Brief rattling on cold start, sounds like a diesel, disappears after warm-up
Vehicle Weaknesses 7
Ford recalled hundreds of thousands of Galaxy and S-Max vehicles: the original rear axle trailing arm bolts can fracture due to corrosion. If they break, the vehicle loses rear axle control — acute accident risk.
Ford recalled Galaxy models with EcoBoost engines and manual gearboxes because heavy clutch wear could cause overheating and fracture of the clutch pressure plate — with a risk of fire in the engine bay.
In the Galaxy III too, the wiring harness runs beneath the washer fluid reservoir. Overfilling or a leaking reservoir allows washer fluid to attack the cable insulation, causing cooling fan failures, AC problems and P0003 fault codes.
The heavy Galaxy III wears its brake discs and pads significantly faster than average for comparable vehicles. ADAC and TÜV reports confirm this as a frequent fault.
The Galaxy III is — like many Ford models of this generation — known for elevated oil consumption. Without regular oil level checks, engine damage from oil starvation can occur.
The Galaxy III's electric sliding doors attract attention through failed contact sensors and worn guide rails. Clicking noises when accelerating or braking and occasional unresponsive sliding door operation are documented issues.
Despite fundamentally improved build quality in the Galaxy III, tie rod ends and anti-roll bar drop links continue to show elevated wear, which is regularly flagged at MOT inspections. The high vehicle weight accelerates axle wear.
Reports & Tests
442 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2015–2023). Most reported: Backup Camera/Sensors (145), Other (88), Electrical (61).