BatteryCritical
PHEV high-voltage battery recall (overheating) on 2020 cars
- Typically appears
- Any
- What to inspect
- Check the recall has been completed against the VIN on GOV.UK
- Typical repair
- Head gasket / cooling system repair · £900–£2,600
Is the 2013–2024 Ford Kuga reliable?
Scored from 8 documented faults · reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
2.4/ 10
Buy with cautionOn our documented-fault scoring the Ford Kuga rates 2.4 out of 10 · buy with caution. We hold 8 known faults for it and 1 of them are rated critical and 4 high, so a bad example can be expensive. The weak points cluster around engine, exhaust and battery. A well-serviced example with evidence for the big-ticket items is usually a safe buy; the score describes the model, not the specific car in front of you.
Verdict · Walk unless the history is spotless
What the score is built from
- Critical
- 1
- High
- 4
- Medium
- 2
- Low
- 1
Weak points cluster around engine, exhaust, battery, electrical.
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ExhaustHigh
DPF blocking on short-journey 2.0 TDCi cars
- Typically appears
- 60,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Check for warning lights, look at service history for forced regens, drive at motorway speed
- Typical repair
- DPF forced regen or replacement · £250–£1,600
EngineHigh
Coolant intrusion on 1.5 EcoBoost petrol
- Typically appears
- 50,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Check coolant level, oil condition, and history of head replacement
- Typical repair
- Cooling component replacement · £220–£750
TransmissionHigh
Juddering, delayed engagement, or harsh shifting on Powershift (MPS6) automatic gearboxes.
- Typically appears
- 40,000-70,000 miles
- What to inspect
- With the engine running and foot on the brake, shift between Drive and Reverse repeatedly. Feel for harsh clunks or engagement delays exceeding one second.
- Typical repair
- DCT clutch pack / mechatronic work · £900–£3,200
EngineHigh
Rhythmic rattling from the cambelt area due to water pump or timing belt tensioner failure on 2.0 TDCi models.
- Typically appears
- 70,000-100,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Start the engine from cold, open the bonnet, and listen closely to the left side of the engine for a distinct ticking or rattling noise.
- Typical repair
- Timing / wet belt kit + water pump · £450–£1,100
Costs are indicative UK independent-garage bands for budgeting and negotiation · never a quote.
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