ExhaustHigh
DPF and EGR cooler faults on 2.0 TDCi cars
- Typically appears
- 70,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Warm up fully, check for warnings and inspect coolant level
- Typical repair
- DPF forced regen or replacement · £250–£1,600
Is the 2015–2023 Ford S-Max reliable?
Scored from 8 documented faults · reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
3.7/ 10
Buy with cautionOn our documented-fault scoring the Ford S-Max rates 3.7 out of 10 · buy with caution. We hold 8 known faults for it and 4 are rated high severity, so the risk is real but contained. The weak points cluster around exhaust, transmission and suspension. 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
- 0
- High
- 4
- Medium
- 3
- Low
- 1
Weak points cluster around exhaust, transmission, suspension, electrical.
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TransmissionHigh
Powershift automatic shudder and harsh engagement
- Typically appears
- 60,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Pull away from cold repeatedly and feel for judder
- Typical repair
- DCT clutch pack / mechatronic work · £900–£3,200
Engine (2.0 EcoBlue Diesel)High
Low oil pressure warning due to wet timing belt degradation blocking the oil pickup strainer.
- Typically appears
- 50,000-70,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Open the oil filler cap and shine a torch inside to check for visible belt fraying or debris. Start the engine from cold and ensure the red oil pressure warning light extinguishes immediately.
- Typical repair
- Timing / wet belt kit + water pump · £450–£1,100
Engine (1.5 EcoBoost Petrol)High
Coolant intrusion into cylinders causing cold-start misfires and unexplained coolant loss.
- Typically appears
- 40,000-60,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Check the coolant expansion tank for low fluid levels. Start the engine from cold, listen for a rough, misfiring idle for the first 30 seconds, and check the exhaust for excessive sweet-smelling white smoke.
- Typical repair
- Head gasket / cooling system repair · £900–£2,600
SuspensionMedium
Front bushes and drop links knocking
- Typically appears
- 70,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Listen over rough tarmac and check for uneven tyre wear
- Typical repair
- Suspension refresh (per axle) · £250–£1,100
Costs are indicative UK independent-garage bands for budgeting and negotiation · never a quote.
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