Ford Kuga 2
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Ford Kuga Mk2 (2013–2019) grew into a proper family SUV — bigger, more refined, better equipped. Ford’s best-selling SUV in Europe for six model years.
Engines: The 2.0 TDCi diesel (150/180 hp) with manual is the straightforward recommendation. Early 1.6 EcoBoost (182 hp, to 2016) carry real risk — engine block hairline cracks (€1,500–8,000). The 1.5 EcoBoost (from 2016) is improved but not immune.
Problem areas: Powershift gearbox (6DCT450) — oil leaks, clutch wear, oil service every 50,000 km critical. AWD transfer case failures before 120,000 km (€800–3,500). Brake discs wear prematurely (40,000–50,000 km). Subframe rust from 80,000 km. Starter battery drain — most common breakdown cause per ADAC data.
2026 market: From €6,000 early models; €12,000–18,000 post-facelift.
Insider pick: 2.0 TDCi 150 hp manual, 2016 onward — facelift benefits, fewest issues.
242 PS
Kuga · Benzin
Power Kuga
Decent150–182 PS
1.6L EcoBoost Benzin
7 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Ford Kuga 2 is available with 5 engine variants — from 120 to 242 hp.
2.0 TDCi 132 kW/180 hp, Mondeo V (CD391 2014-2022)
- !! Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019) from 50,000 km
Continental injectors with a faulty internal coating (vehicles built Feb–Sep 2019). The coating delaminates and blocks the injector. Ford service action: free injector replacement (Ford TSB-20-2335). Affected vehicles: Transit, Ranger, Focus, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy, Edge.
Symptoms: Hesitation, poor idle, power reduction, increased fuel consumption, limp mode - !! DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion from 80,000 km
Faulty injectors generate excessive soot that prematurely clogs the DPF. On the high-output variant (190 hp), soot also blocks the low-pressure filter of the dual EGR system. Repair requires simultaneous replacement of injectors AND DPF (TSB-20-2335). Replacing the DPF alone does not resolve the issue long-term.
Symptoms: Fault codes P2002, P02EC, P02FA, check engine light, power reduction - !! Oil Bath Belt Clogs Oil Pump Strainer from 100,000 km
The oil bath timing belt disintegrates and clogs the oil pump strainer with debris particles. The engine dies from oil starvation — bearings, crankshaft, camshaft and turbocharger are destroyed.
Symptoms: No prior warning: oil pressure drops, engine runs rough, then total destruction. Belt itself may look intact visually.
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
2.0L TDCi diesel in the Kuga II. 1997cc, 140 or 163 hp. Solid base in the Kuga II.
- !! Injector Wear and Leaks from 150,000 km
Injectors on the 2.0 TDCi family show measurable wear from around 150,000 km. Leaking copper sealing washers allow combustion gases to escape ('Black Death'). Replacing one injector soon necessitates replacing all, as wear state is similar across the set.
Symptoms: Rough running, diesel knock, black soot deposits around injectors, power loss - !! High-Pressure Pump Metal Debris and Failure from 160,000 km
At higher mileages the high-pressure pump wears internally and leaves metal swarf in the fuel filter. Swarf can damage injectors. The pump can fail suddenly on the motorway.
Symptoms: Golden metal swarf in the diesel filter housing, engine drops into limp mode or stalls under full load, difficult cold starting. - !! Premature Timing Belt Failure — Interval Too Long from 100,000 km
Ford specifies 200,000 km or 10 years as the replacement interval (automatic: 100,000 km). A belt with 15 cm of missing teeth has been documented at only 99,000 km. Belt failure destroys rocker arms and the camshaft.
Symptoms: No prior warning on belt snap — sudden engine stall on the motorway, loud banging from the engine.
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
1.5L EcoBoost in the Kuga (MK2). Four-cylinder turbo. Shares the structural open-deck block issue of the 1.5 EcoBoost range up to 2019. SUV use with typical short-trip profile.
- !! Cylinder Liner Crack — Coolant Ingress from 80,000 km
Same open-deck liner issue as other 1.5 EcoBoost engines from earlier build years. Coolant ingress into combustion chambers possible. TSB recommends short-block replacement.
Symptoms: White exhaust smoke, coolant loss, rough running, oil-coolant emulsion. - !! Oil Pump Timing Belt Degradation from 100,000 km
The 1.0 EcoBoost in the Puma requires Ford oil WSS-M2C948-B without exception. With incorrect oil specification the oil-bath timing belt degrades and can snap, resulting in engine damage.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, oil pressure warning light, in the worst case engine damage from oil starvation. - !! Head Gasket Leak from 80,000 km
The 1.0 EcoBoost shows head gasket issues across various build years, often caused by thermal overloading during short trips or neglected coolant changes.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible leak, sweet smell in exhaust, occasional tendency to overheat.
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
1.6L four-cylinder turbo in the Kuga II (2012-2016). 150 or 182 hp. Replaced by the 1.5 EcoBoost in the facelift.
- !! Cylinder head cracks — known EcoBoost problem from 80,000 km
The 1.6 EcoBoost in the Kuga 2 (2013–2019) is identical to the affected 1.6 EcoBoost variants in other Ford models. Cylinder head cracks from overheating are the known risk profile of this engine generation.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, white exhaust smoke, engine running hot - !! Turbocharger wear in SUV use from 130,000 km
In the heavier Kuga body, the 1.6 EcoBoost loads the turbocharger through more frequent full-throttle operation. Poor oil condition accelerates bearing wear.
Symptoms: Boost loss when overtaking, whistling, bluish smoke - !! Recall: Missing coolant level sensor
Ford recalled 1.6 EcoBoost Kuga vehicles (Valencia plant, 2012–2014) because no coolant level sensor was fitted. Without any warning, overheating could cause the cylinder head to crack.
Symptoms: No driver perception before the damage. After overheating: temperature gauge in the red zone, white exhaust.
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
2.0L EcoBoost in the Kuga (MK2). SUV application with greater vehicle weight. Shares all typical 2.0 EcoBoost weaknesses. Fuel consumption increased by SUV weight.
- !! Low-Pressure Fuel Pump (LPFP) Failure from 120,000 km
The in-tank low-pressure fuel pump is a known weak point on all 2.0 EcoBoost engines. A clogged fuel filter increases pump load until failure.
Symptoms: Hesitation and power loss under load, difficult starting, code P0087, sudden engine stall. - !! Hairline Cracks in Engine Block (Coolant Loss) from 120,000 km
Older 2.0 EcoBoost engines show hairline cracks in the open-deck block at high mileages with coolant intrusion. Issue existed until approximately 2019; revised block is more robust.
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible leak, rough cold start, oil-coolant mix. - !! Hairline Crack in Engine Block — Coolant Entering Combustion Chamber from 60,000 km
Known manufacturing defect up to mid-2019: hairline cracks in the cylinder block between cylinders allow coolant to enter the combustion chamber. Ford revised the block from mid-2019 onwards.
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no external leak; rough cold start; white smoke from exhaust; milky coolant.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| EcoBoost: hairline cracks in engine block, coolant loss The 1.5- and 2.0-litre EcoBoost engines in the Kuga II (2012–2018) develop hairline cracks in the engine block, causing coolant loss and engine damage. Ford responded in 2014 with a recall for the 1.6 EcoBoost (approx. 56,000 vehicles). Symptoms: Rough cold start, coolant level dropping with no visible external leak, engine overheating warning. from 80,000 km | High |
Test Reports
TÜV Report 2026
Broken transfer case bolts, worn brake discs and exhaust system defects characterise the Kuga II at inspection.
2025-11ADAC Breakdown Statistics 2025
The Kuga II shows high breakdown figures across all vehicle ages; starter battery and electronics are particularly affected.
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 43 weaknesses have been documented for the Ford Kuga 2 (2012–2019) — 34 engine-related and 9 vehicle-related. 3 problem engines: T8CC (2.0L EcoBlue TDCi), EcoBoost-1.6-Kuga2 (1.6L EcoBoost), R9MA (2.0L EcoBoost). Typical issues affect Cooling, Gearbox, Other, Rust.
Kuga (TDCi-2.0-Kuga2, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Injector Wear and Leaks, High-Pressure Pump Metal Debris and Failure, Premature Timing Belt Failure — Interval Too Long. Power: 140 PS.
Kuga (TDCi-2.0-Kuga2, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Injector Wear and Leaks, High-Pressure Pump Metal Debris and Failure, Premature Timing Belt Failure — Interval Too Long. Power: 163 PS.
Kuga (T8CC, 2016–2019) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Oil Bath Belt Clogs Oil Pump Strainer. Power: 150 PS.
Kuga (T8CC, 2016–2019) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Oil Bath Belt Clogs Oil Pump Strainer. Power: 179 PS.
Kuga (EcoBoost-1.6-Kuga2, 2012–2016) — Stay Away!: Cylinder head cracks — known EcoBoost problem, Turbocharger wear in SUV use, Recall: Missing coolant level sensor. Power: 150 PS.
Kuga (EcoBoost-1.6-Kuga2, 2012–2016) — Stay Away!: Cylinder head cracks — known EcoBoost problem, Turbocharger wear in SUV use, Recall: Missing coolant level sensor. Power: 182 PS.
Kuga (M8MA, 2016–2019) — Be Careful: Cylinder Liner Crack — Coolant Ingress, Oil Pump Timing Belt Degradation, Head Gasket Leak. Power: 120 PS.
Kuga (M8MA, 2016–2019) — Be Careful: Cylinder Liner Crack — Coolant Ingress, Oil Pump Timing Belt Degradation, Head Gasket Leak. Power: 150–151 PS.
Kuga (M8MA, 2016–2018) — Be Careful: Cylinder Liner Crack — Coolant Ingress, Oil Pump Timing Belt Degradation, Head Gasket Leak. Power: 175–182 PS.
Kuga (R9MA, 2017–2019) — Stay Away!: Low-Pressure Fuel Pump (LPFP) Failure, Hairline Cracks in Engine Block (Coolant Loss), Hairline Crack in Engine Block — Coolant Entering Combustion Chamber. Power: 242 PS.
What to watch out for with the Ford Kuga? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee