Ford S-Max 2
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
239–241 PS
2.0L EcoBoost Benzin
EcoBoost Van
Decent150 PS
2.0L EcoBlue TDCi Diesel
9 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Ford S-Max 2 is available with 6 engine variants — from 120 to 241 hp. 3 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Ford 2.0L EcoBlue (Diesel, 120–190 PS) comes with 3 different engines: YMCB (2018–2023, Stay Away!) und BCCC (2018–2023, Stay Away!) und YNCA (2018–2023, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L EcoBlue!
The Ford 2.0L EcoBlue Bi-Turbo (Diesel, 240 PS) has the YLCB (2.0L EcoBlue Bi-Turbo) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The Ford 2.0L EcoBlue TDCi (Diesel, 120–210 PS) comes with 4 different engines: T7CI (2015–2019, Stay Away!) und T8CG (2015–2019, Stay Away!) und T9CB (2015–2019, Stay Away!) und T7CJ (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 2.0L EcoBlue TDCi!
The Ford 1.5L EcoBoost (Benziner, 160–165 PS) comes with 2 different engines: UNCI (2015–2019, Be Careful) und C15HDTX (2018–2023, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.5L EcoBoost!
The Ford 2.0L EcoBoost (Benziner, 240 PS) has the R9CD (2.0L EcoBoost) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.
The Ford 2.5L Hybrid (Benziner Hybrid, 190 PS) has the BGCA (2.5L Hybrid) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| EcoBoost engine block: hairline cracks causing coolant loss The 1.5- and 2.0-litre EcoBoost engines in the S-Max II are susceptible to hairline cracks in the engine block, causing coolant loss and in the worst case engine damage. Particularly affected are model years before mid-2019. Symptoms: Falling coolant level with no visible external leak, white smoke from the exhaust, engine overheating, rough idle on cold start. from 80,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 91 weaknesses have been documented for the Ford S-Max 2 (2015–2023) — 83 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. 8 problem engines: T7CI (2.0L EcoBlue TDCi), T8CG (2.0L EcoBlue TDCi), T9CB (2.0L EcoBlue TDCi), R9CD (2.0L EcoBoost), YMCB (2.0L EcoBlue), BCCC (2.0L EcoBlue), YLCB (2.0L EcoBlue Bi-Turbo), YNCA (2.0L EcoBlue). Typical issues affect Cooling, Gearbox, Suspension, Electronics.
S-Max (T7CI, 2015–2019) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, VGT Actuator Failure. Power: 150 PS.
S-Max (T8CG, 2015–2019) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Oil Bath Belt Clogs Oil Pump Strainer. Power: 180 PS.
S-Max (T9CB, 2015–2019) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Oil Bath Belt Clogs Oil Pump Strainer. Power: 210 PS.
S-Max (T7CJ, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, High-Pressure Pump Failure. Power: 120 PS.
S-Max (YMCB, 2018–2023) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Oil Bath Belt Clogs Oil Pump Strainer. Power: 150 PS.
S-Max (BCCC, 2018–2023) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Wet Belt Blocks Oil Pump Strainer. Power: 190 PS.
S-Max (YLCB, 2018–2023) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Bi-Turbo Boost Control Failure. Power: 240 PS.
S-Max (YNCA, 2018–2023) — Stay Away!: Continental Injector Coating Defect (2019), DPF Clogging from Injector Soot Ingestion, Oil Bath Belt Clogs Oil Pump Strainer. Power: 120 PS.
S-Max (R9CD, 2015–2019) — Stay Away!: Engine Block Hairline Cracks (S-Max MK2), PowerShift Dual-Clutch Wear, Timing Chain / Chain Tensioner. Power: 240 PS.
S-Max (UNCI, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Engine Block Hairline Cracks (Pre-2019), Cylinder Head Crack from Coolant Underfill, Hairline Crack in Engine Block — Coolant Ingestion (up to MY 2019). Power: 160 PS.
S-Max (C15HDTX, 2018–2023) — Be Careful: Hairline Cracks in Cylinder Block (Pre-2019), Turbocharger Wear from Diluted Oil, Hairline Crack in Cylinder Block — Coolant Ingestion (pre-2019). Power: 165 PS.
S-Max (BGCA, 2021–2023) — Be Careful: eCVT Planetary Gearbox Failure, Head Gasket Failure, DC-DC Converter Failure — 12V System Collapse. Power: 190 PS.
What to watch out for with the Ford S-Max? 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