The Ford Kuga is a popular choice amongst buyers, known for its sleek design, powerful performance, and impressive safety features. However, despite its many desirable attributes, certain Ford Kuga models have been plagued by transmission issues. In some cases, car owners have reported problems such as shuddering, delayed or erratic shifting, and failure to engage gears.
These issues can significantly affect the car’s performance, leading to a frustrating and potentially dangerous driving experience. In this article, we will delve deeper into the transmission problems that have been reported with the Ford Kuga and provide tips on how to prevent and address these issues to ensure a safe and enjoyable driving experience.
Before saying anything more than this, we do need to stress that most Ford Kuga transmission problems are down to a lack of maintenance and repair. If you take good care of your car and you do everything that needs to go in time, you should be able to avoid most of these problems.
However you look at it, no transmission is perfect and the Ford Kuga transmission is no different. So, if you are in the market for a used Ford Kuga, be sure to check out its transmission system and the rest of the powertrain just to be sure that everything is in good order.
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Transmission Shuddering
In the case of Ford Kuga models, shuddering has been reported by some car owners as a common transmission issue, particularly in models made between 2012-2014 and 2014-2016. Symptoms of transmission shuddering can include vibrations felt in the cabin, erratic shifting between gears, and stuttering or hesitation while accelerating.
If left unaddressed, transmission shuddering can lead to more serious transmission problems, such as total failure or damage to other parts of the vehicle. It is important to have any potential transmission issues diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable driving experience. To fix these, check out the torque converter, the mounts, and the state of the transmission fluid.
Delayed Shifting
Delayed shifts can result in delays between the driver shifting into gear and the car actually responding, causing issues such as erratic shifting and stuttering or hesitation while accelerating. If this happens while driving at higher speeds, it can cause a whole load of dangerous situations depending on how delayed the transmission response is.
There can be several causes for delayed shifts, such as problems with the valve body in the transmission, stuck valves, or fluid buildup or contamination. You should check out all of these components if the delays are really long and are happening very often. If the transmission sometimes experiences slight delays, that is not really anything to worry about.
Erratic Shifting
If you’re experiencing erratic shifting in your Ford Kuga, it could be due to transmission-related issues. To address the problem, start by checking the transmission fluid level and condition. If it’s low or dirty, add or replace the fluid accordingly. Consider getting a transmission fluid flush if the fluid is excessively dirty.
Faulty transmission sensors or solenoids can also cause shifting problems, so have the vehicle’s computer scanned for error codes and replace any malfunctioning components. The best thing to do is to simply take your car to a mechanic you trust and let him do the rest.
Failure to Engage Gears
If your Ford Kuga transmission is suffering from problems such as not being able to engage gears, that could be a serious issue. The clutch system is often the reason why but severe problems with transmission fluids or the synchro can also be the causes. A worn-out clutch disc, pressure plate, or release bearing can prevent proper engagement of the gears.
Some sources state that these problems can also be caused by transmission linkage or shifter cable issues. Lastly, we also need to mention the transmission control module which is tasked with electronically controlling gear engagement. If it fails or malfunctions even for a second, it can lead to difficulties in shifting gears.
FAQ Section
Which Transmission is in the Ford Kuga?
The Ford Kuga can be had both with a manual and an automatic gearbox while some versions of the Kuga can also be had with a CVT gearbox. In essence, lower-end trim levels are equipped with manual gearboxes in Europe while automatic and CVT units come as standard on higher-end models and in other markets.
The automatic transmission is widely regarded as one of the best ones to go for, but it also requires more maintenance compared to the manual transmission. The CVT gearbox isn’t all that popular which is why there aren’t many Ford Kuga models with CVTs out there.
How Long Do Ford Transmissions Last?
It is impossible to say how long a transmission on a Ford is going to last, but there are some indications that do state that most Ford transmissions should be able to last 150,000 to 200,000 miles without any major issues or overhauls.
If you want your Ford transmission to last as long as possible, you should maintain it as often as needed which includes flushing the fluids, maintaining all of the linkages, the shifter, and all other mechanical and electronic components. It would also be a good idea to go easy on the throttle and try to be as fluent and as smooth with the transmission as you can be.
Is There an Electric Version of the Ford Kuga?
No, the Ford Kuga is not available as a full-on EV, but you can have it as a PHEV. The Ford Kuga PHEV combines a traditional combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery pack, allowing it to operate in electric-only mode for a certain range before switching to hybrid or gasoline mode.
The Kuga Plug-in Hybrid offers the advantage of zero-emission driving in electric mode, which can help reduce fuel consumption and emissions during shorter trips or in urban areas. The electric range may vary depending on the model and driving conditions but is typically around 30-50 kilometers (18-31 miles) on a full charge.
