The Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid compact crossover SUV is one of the best plug-in hybrid cars to drive. It has an excellent electric range and low emissions. However, it also comes with some issues that users should know about. But what are the common problems with the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid?
Common problems with the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid include battery overheating, burning clutch problem, faulty wiper blades, climate control issues, and door seal fault. Other problems include transmission issues, engine overheating, EGR valve problems, and much more.
What are the common problems with the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid?
Battery problems
Of all the issues that the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid users should know about, the battery overheating should be on top of the list. This is because this issue is on almost all Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid models. However, it is more rampant in the 2020 Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid model year.
The Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid is fitted with a battery pack that has foreign contaminants in its cell. Because of this, the battery may have a short circuit or overheat, causing a fire hazard. Ford had to recall all the 2020 Kuga plug-in hybrid models. This is after four fire reports were reported.
Aside from battery overheating and having a short circuit, these batteries become drained very fast, making the car inconvenient to use for long distances.
Engine overheating
Another major problem that Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid users face is the engine overheating. Like the faulty battery, engine overheating also risk fires and engine meltdowns. This problem is common in Ford Kuga models made between 2012 and 2016.
It is important to note that the overheating was caused by cracks in the cylinder heads. The cracks cause oil and fuel leaks, which later heat and cause a fire.
Burning clutch issues
Clutch plates normally last over 60,000 miles. Nonetheless, that’s not the case with clutch plates in the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid. These clutch plates wear out faster and crack or break, due to excess pressure. When the clutch plates break, you will hear a burning smell and loud thuds from the clutch.
This problem is common in the 1.5-liter and 1.6-liter EcoBoost engines in the 2013 to 2018 Kuga models and not the Kuga plug-in hybrid model years. You will be required to change the broken clutch plates and it is quite expensive.
Climate control problems
Another issue that Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid users face is climate control problems. Many users have reported having a faulty heating system. Many users have reported getting warm or cold air after setting the climate control to hot air. This problem is normally caused by a coolant leak or a bad thermostat.
Transmission issues
The Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid comes with a CVT transmission, which has proven to be very problematic. Even though this transmission does pose a huge problem in the Kuga plug-in hybrid, it makes the gearbox feel sluggish.
Faulty wiper blades
Several users have also complained about the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid having faulty wiper blades. This is an issue experienced by both the plug-in hybrid and gas-powered only models. The faulty wiper blades make the car to be greasy. This can be resolved by replacing the faulty wiper blades.
Door seal fault
Door seal faults are also common in Ford Kuga models. If you’re driving and you hear a creaking sound from the door, this is an indication that the door seal is faulty and has to be replaced.
EGR valve problems
Last but not least, Ford Kuga also comes with faulty exhaust gas recirculation valves (EGR). Signs of bad EGR valves are the car becoming sluggish and blue smoke coming from the exhaust. Replace the damaged or faulty valves.
FAQ
What is the most common problem across all Ford Kuga Plug-in Hybrid?
Even though the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid comes with many issues, the most common one is battery overheating. This is a serious issue that made Ford recall all the 2020 Ford Kuga PHEVs. The batteries in these cars had foreign contaminants in their cell that made them a fire risk.
Is the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid reliable?
Ford isn’t the most reliable car brand on the market. However, like most Ford models, the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid received an average reliability rating, which is okay. On top of that, the cost of repair and maintenance is cheaper compared to most of its competitors.
So, the Ford Kuga Plug-in hybrid has slightly above average reliability, which is good news to owners or interested buyers.
After how many miles does the Ford Kuga start having issues?
With proper care and maintenance, your car shouldn’t start having problems until you hit over 100,000 miles. But if the car is not taken good care of, it may start experiencing issues as early as 60,000 miles. Note that the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid can last over 200,000 miles if it is properly maintained.
What is the range of a Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid?
The Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid has one of the best ranges among plug-in hybrid cars. It comes with an electric range of up to 39 miles. Besides, charging the Kuga plug-in hybrid is easy by using the 3kw three-pin plug at home, or the 7kw fast charger that only takes 2 hours to fully charge the car. The basic 3kw charger takes 5 hours to charge the car.
Is Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid expensive to maintain?
No, the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid is neither expensive nor cheap to maintain. It has an average maintenance cost, making it a great car to own. Nonetheless, the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid is cheaper to maintain than the diesel version, but more expensive than the petrol version.
Conclusion
Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid may be an efficient, reliable, sleek, and practical compact SUV, but it also comes with various problems that interested buyers should know about. Some of the common problems that users should know about are battery overheating, engine issues, transmission issues, door seal fault, EGR valve problems, and much more.
But with proper care and maintenance, most of these problems can be avoided. Ensure to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance service to prevent most of the above issues from taking place. Besides, maintaining the Ford Kuga plug-in hybrid is relatively cheap.
