Used Ford Kuga 2021-present reliability

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 models are covered by a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty. 

The Ford Kuga has been subject to a number of recalls. Some are listed below. Check with a Ford dealer that all recalls have been carried out.

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.

Reason for recall

In the event of a fuel injector failing this will potentially cause a fuel leak.

Reason for recall

Vehicles may have an issue with the current software that controls the functionality of the eCall system.

Reason for recall

Certain vehicles could have an engine oil separator that may have been damaged prior to engine assembly.

Reason for recall

The lower front seatbelt bolt may not be correctly tightened to specification.

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 localized melting or smoke.

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 the lack of an escape route for the leaking fuel.

The Kuga finished in 19th place out of 24 cars in the large SUV class in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey with a score of 89.6%. 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 14th place out of 31 manufacturers in our most What Car? recent reliability survey with a good score of 91.5%. That put it above Audi, Peugeot and Volkswagen, but below BMW, Kia and Skoda.

Used Ford Kuga reliability: the owners' view

As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers 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.