Used Ford Kuga 2020-present reliability
Category: Family SUV
The Ford Kuga is a practical, well equipped and efficient SUV. It's also great value bought used.
What should I look for in a used Ford Kuga 4x4?
Check to make sure there is no damage to the bodywork or the handsome alloy wheels. Make sure the electrical items all work as they should. Buying a Kuga as new as this you should have plenty of recourse to the dealer you bought it from should something appear wrong.
A three-year or 60,000-mile warranty is included as standard, while the batteries of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models are covered by a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
What are the most common problems with a used Ford Kuga 4x4?
At the time of writing, the Ford Kuga has been subject to 20 recalls. To find out whether a car has been affected, you can contact your local Ford dealer. You will not have to pay for anything involving the recall.
Reason for recall
The high-voltage battery pack can overheat and result in the venting of hot gas which can ignite vehicle components or in extreme cases the entire vehicle.
How the manufacturer will repair: To prevent a vehicle fire, the vehicles should not be charged using the external charging cable and the vehicles should only be driven using the default auto EV mode only.
Number of affected vehicles: 5046
Date of recall: 04/09/2020
Reason for recall
The fuel-operated heater could start inadvertently
How the manufacturer will repair: New SYNC system software must be applied.
Number of affected vehicles: 1
Date of recall: 09/09/2020
Reason for recall
The Battery Control Charger Module (BCCM) connector may be damaged
How the manufacturer will repair: An inspection of the BCCM is required to confirm an undamaged connector. If a failed inspection occurs, the vehicle must be reworked with a replacement BCCM and charge cable.
Number of affected vehicles: 30,202
Date of recall: 02/07/2020
Reason for recall
Particle contamination can cause internal short circuiting of high-voltage battery cells.
How the manufacturer will repair: The high-voltage battery pack will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Number of affected vehicles: 2326
Date of recall: 21/12/2020
Reason for recall
Vehicles may have an issue with the current software that controls the functionality of the eCall system.
How the manufacturer will repair: Carry out a software update.
Number of affected vehicles: 100
Date of recall: 21/05/2021
Reason for recall
A battery may have an incorrectly positioned/welded busbar in one of the battery arrays.
How the manufacturer will repair: Install a new high-voltage battery.
Number of affected vehicles: 14
Date of recall: 15/02/2022
Reason for recall
Certain vehicles could have an engine oil separator that may have been damaged prior to engine assembly.
How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect the engine oil separator and if found to be damaged and/or leaking, a replacement engine oil separator must be installed.
Number of affected vehicles: 9818
Date of recall: 08/04/2022
Reason for recall
Under certain operating conditions, an oil and/or fuel vapour leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in an engine compartment or vehicle fire, localised melting or smoke.
How the manufacturer will repair: Modification of the engine undertray and active grille assemblies.
Number of affected vehicles: 16,155
Date of recall: 19/07/2022
Reason for recall
The lower front seatbelt bolt may not be correctly tightened to specification.
How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect and re-torque the front lower seatbelt bolts to specification
Number of affected vehicles: 35
Date of recall: 27/10/2022
Reason for recall
Some Kuga vehicles with a panoramic roof may have a fixed glass panel with poor adhesion to the roof frame assembly. As a result, there is a possibility that the fixed glass panel could detach during driving causing a hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users.
How the manufacturer will repair: Check the panoramic roof frame. If an affected date is present, the fixed glass roof panel will need to be removed to inspect the integrity of the adhesive. If the adhesive is found to be compromised, a new roof frame assembly will need to be installed.
Number of affected vehicles: 2359
Date of recall: 30/11/2022
Reason for recall
In the event of a fuel injector failing, this will potentially cause a fuel leak.
How the manufacturer will repair: A drain tube will need to be installed to allow safe passage of the fuel away from hot surfaces in the event of a leak occurring. Also, the dealer will perform a PCM software update that will reduce the engine power if a drop in fuel pressure is detected and a warning light will be illuminated to make the user aware.
Number of affected vehicles: 13,671
Date of recall: 27/03/2023
Reason for recall
A small number of vehicles on which the fuel injectors may crack and leak. In the event of an injector failing, this may result in fuel accumulating on the top of the engine. The accumulation of fuel could become the catalyst for a fire due to the proximity to the exhaust system and lack of an escape route for the leaking fuel.
How the manufacturer will repair: The dealer will fit a specially developed drain tube which will safely drain any leaking fuel away from hot surfaces like the cylinder head or exhaust. Also, the vehicle software will be updated which will allow any drop in fuel pressure to be detected. This software will reduce the power of the engine if a drop in fuel pressure is detected and a warning light will be illuminated in the instrument cluster.
Number of affected vehicles: 1136
Date of recall: 26/03/2024
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, a recent update to the Power Control Module (PCM) software could result in the vehicle shifting into neutral and coasting to a stop. The subsequent limp home mode results in unintended acceleration or 'supercreep'.
How the manufacturer will repair: Update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software.
Number of affected vehicles: 260
Date of recall: 28/06/2024
Reason for recall
Affected vehicles may develop a crack in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).
How the manufacturer will repair: Update software to prevent a cracked DPF. Test and replace DPFs that are already cracked.
Number of affected vehicles: 2848
Date of recall: 19/12/2024
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, software from a previous recall may not have been installed correctly. Vehicles may have Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software that can result in a forced neutral condition while driving.
How the manufacturer will repair: Update and verify the software.
Number of affected vehicles: 3
Date of recall: 30/04/2025
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, the remedy software for a previous recall which was needed to mitigate a potential fire risk may not have been installed correctly.
How the manufacturer will repair: Update the Power Control Module (PCM) software and perform an additional verification process to ensure the software has been installed correctly.
Number of affected vehicles: 802
Date of recall: 09/05/2025
Reason for recall
Certain Kuga, S-Max and Galaxy vehicles equipped with a 2.5-litre FHEV/PHEV engine may not have the remedy for Safety Recall 23S27 installed correctly, but were recorded as having received the repair completed successfully. Because the correct software update may not have been installed on these vehicles, the risk of an under-bonnet fire specified in Safety Recall 23S27 may still exist.
How the manufacturer will repair: Dealers are to update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software.
Number of affected vehicles: 547
Date of recall: 07/07/2025
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, a software problem may result in issues with the rear-view camera that reduce the driver's view or with it remaining on after a reversing event.
How the manufacturer will repair: Update the vehicle software to the latest level.
Number of affected vehicles: 16
Date of recall: 08/09/2025
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, the cylinder head may have loose ball plugs. This condition may result in a rapid oil leak if a ball plug comes out of the cylinder head.
How the manufacturer will repair: Replace the cylinder head.
Number of affected vehicles: 3
Date of recall: 15/09/2025
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, the high-voltage battery may have some cells that could potentially develop a short circuit leading to a "stop safely now" message and possible loss of power or battery thermal venting.
How the manufacturer will repair: A remedy is not currently available. The vehicle owners are asked to limit the high-voltage battery's charge to 80% until a remedy is available.
Number of affected vehicles: 6632
Date of recall: 04/11/2025
Is a used Ford Kuga 4x4 reliable?
The Kuga finished in 55th place out of 76 cars in the family SUV class in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, with a score of 90.3%. That put it above the Audi Q5 and the Range Rover Velar, but below the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60.
Ford as a brand finished in joint 24th place out of 30 manufacturers in our most What Car? recent reliability survey, with a score of 90.5%. That put it above MG and Nissan, but below Hyundai, Kia and Skoda.
Used Ford Kuga reliability: the owners' view
In our reliability survey, owners reported varied experiences with the Ford Kuga, highlighting some reliability concerns and mixed satisfaction with dealer service.
While many owners praised the Kuga for its overall dependability, several reported recurring issues with electrical components. Faulty warning lights, problems with the infotainment system, and issues with keyless entry systems were among the most common complaints. Diesel models were noted for DPF (diesel particulate filter) problems, which could be costly and time-consuming to fix. Some owners also experienced premature wear of suspension parts.
Feedback on Ford’s dealer network was inconsistent. Positive experiences included efficient diagnostics and reasonable repair costs under warranty. However, other readers expressed frustration with long wait times for parts and repeated visits for unresolved issues. Poor communication from service staff was a recurring theme in negative reviews.
Overall, the Kuga offers reasonable reliability, but dealer experiences vary significantly between customers.
