Used Cupra Formentor 2020-present reliability
Category: Coupe SUV
The Cupra Formentor is a sharp-looking car that handles neatly and is very well-equipped. Reliability is a concern, though
What should I look for in a used Cupra FORMENTOR estate?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
On the whole, the Formentor is a solid car and it tends to be bought by people who look after their cars well. Still, check the interior for signs of wear and tear and alloys for any kerb damage. Make sure all electrics work as they should.
What are the most common problems with a used Cupra FORMENTOR estate?
As of writing, the Formentor has four recalls listed. To check whether any of them have been rectified, you can contact your local Cupra dealer. You will not have to pay for anything involving the recall.
Reason for recall
The Front Assist is not configured correctly.
How the manufacturer will repair: The Front Assist assistants must be activated in all affected vehicles.
Number of affected vehicles: 55
Date of recall: 09/12/2020
Reason for recall
The front seat belts may not be properly anchored due to a manufacturing error.
How the manufacturer will repair: Check the front seat belts in all the affected vehicles and replace if necessary.
Number of affected vehicles: 346
Date of recall: 31/08/2021
Reason for recall
The bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal may come loose resulting in a loss of all service braking ability.
How the manufacturer will repair: Vehicles are not to be driven and the bolted connection of the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal must be checked and if necessary retightened.
Number of affected vehicles: 1
Date of recall: 10/09/2021
Reason for recall
There is a possibility that the impact sensors for the rear airbags do not correspond to the documented parts.
How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect the vehicle and if necessary replace the impact sensors.
Number of affected vehicles: 2
Date of recall: 06/02/2023
Reason for recall
In certain vehicles within a range of specified VINs, it has been detected that an engine support that did not receive the correct heat treatment may have been fitted.
How the manufacturer will repair: The fitted engine support must be inspected and if found to be affected, the engine support must be replaced.
Number of affected vehicles: 43
Date of recall: 16/10/2023
Reason for recall
On certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment.
How the manufacturer will repair: A check of the installation of the heat protection mat on affected vehicles will be conducted. If necessary the correct heat shield condition will be restored and an additional heat shield installed.
Number of affected vehicles: 2499
Date of recall: 26/01/2024
Click here for more information. Contact your local Cupra dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Cupra FORMENTOR estate reliable?
The Formentor a mixed record for reliability. In our 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, it finished in 35th place out of 76 family SUVs, with a score of 93.9%. That's a better position than in the previous year, where it finished in 25th place out of 33 cars with a score of 89.8%. Even so, it finds itself in a middling position in our 2025 survey, finishing above the Ford Kuga and Jaguar E-Pace, but below the Lexus NX and Nissan Qashqai.
As a brand, Cupra did much better, finishing in 13th place out of 30 manufacturers – that's an improvement on 2024, where it finished in 17th place, and 2023, where it finished in last place. In terms of rankings for 2025, it scored better than Audi, Mercedes and Volvo, but worse than BMW, Lexus and Tesla.
It should be noted that we had an issue with a 2024 e-Hybrid example that we had for a Cupra Formentor long-term test. The car displayed a couple of error messages relating to the gearbox, with it leaving the car undriveable in one instance. This doesn't bode too well for reliability, especially considering the car's poor results in the past.
Used Cupra Formentor reliability: the owners' view
In our latest reliability survey, owners said the Cupra Formentor is a mixed bag when it comes to dependability. While the petrol and hybrid models share a sharp look, they also share a frustrating number of electrical gremlins.
The most common headaches involve the infotainment system, with owners reporting frequent freezes, blank screens and software glitches. More concerning are the faults with safety modules, particularly those triggering lane assist and SOS system warnings. Hybrid owners have also highlighted issues with faulty charging port actuators.
The dealer experience hasn't quite smoothed things over. Many owners noted that while Cupra’s five-year warranty provides peace of mind, getting parts can be slow and some dealerships struggled to provide permanent fixes for recurring software issues. Overall, while many love the car's character, its patchy reliability remains a significant talking point.
