Ford Puma
Ford 1.5L EcoBlue diesel 120 hp. Puma II from 2020.
Diesel Puma
120 hp diesel in the Puma: economical and adequate. The good chassis shines here too.
Engine Weaknesses 6
Faulty injectors cause severe juddering and knocking on acceleration. Problem occurs from approx. 140,000–150,000 km. Multiple injectors become leaky or faulty simultaneously. Ford has replaced all 4 injectors in individual cases without a permanent fix.
Symptoms: Heavy juddering, knocking on acceleration, engine misfires, power loss
Ford recalled approximately 8,400 vehicles (production October 2014 to April 2015) because the camshaft sprocket can fracture due to material fatigue and damage the engine.
The EGR cooler develops cracks under extreme thermal cycling. Coolant enters the intake tract and forms black foam in the expansion tank. In the worst case a hydraulic lock results.
Symptoms: Black or oily foam in the coolant expansion tank, coolant loss with no external leak, white exhaust smoke, tendency to overheat.
The DPF on the 1.5 EcoBlue is prone to clogging, especially in short-trip use. Ford has released software updates improving the regeneration strategy. Check whether the latest software update has been applied before purchase.
Symptoms: DPF warning light, power loss, engine warning light P2002
The 1.5 EcoBlue tends to oil dilution from diesel fuel entering the oil during DPF regeneration on frequent short trips. The on-board computer requests frequent oil changes.
Symptoms: Oil change warning after short driving time, oil level rising instead of dropping, engine oil smells of diesel
The EGR valve carbons up during short-trip driving. Manifests as stumbling and power loss, especially at low rpm. Cleaning every 80,000–100,000 km recommended for city drivers.
Symptoms: Stumbling under part load, increased fuel consumption, engine warning light
Vehicle Weaknesses 7
Ford recalled around 4,572 Puma vehicles due to an incorrectly secured driver airbag unit. Inadequate fastening could cause the airbag to fail to deploy correctly in the event of activation.
On approx. 200 Puma mild hybrid vehicles, the battery terminal connections could come loose, leading to system failures and melt damage to components. Ford treated this as a recall action.
In the Puma 155 hp MHEV with 6-speed manual gearbox (6MX65), the 2nd gear synchro ring typically fails between 50,000 and 60,000 km. The gear no longer engages or pops out. Known issue, documented in TSB 23-2410.
On Puma vehicles from model years 2019–2021 (approx. 300 vehicles in Germany), the legally mandated eCall emergency call system was impaired by a software fault. Vehicles had to visit a dealer for a software update.
AC failures are documented on the Puma II, partly due to loose compressor mounting bolts (recall 2016–2018), partly from compressor wear. Sudden AC failures without warning are also reported from everyday use.
Owners report creaking noises from the dashboard, especially with temperature changes. Plastic parts expand and rub against each other. Door and roof frame seals can also let water into the footwell.
Owners report rattling and rubbing noises from the boot. Load cover mounting brackets no longer hold properly after 2–3 years, causing the cover to hang at an angle and restrict the rear view.