The second generation Ford Kuga crossover has been produced since 2012. At the same time, the model began to be produced by the Ford Sollers plant in Yelabuga. In 2013, Kugu in Tatarstan was already made in a full cycle. In addition to Kug Elabuga production, Spanish cars are often found on the Russian market. The build quality is about the same.

In 2016, the car underwent restyling. You can distinguish such a car, first of all, by the wide radiator grille, reminiscent of Mondeo, and by the reduced rear lights.

In 2015, we stopped selling Kugi with diesel engines, leaving only gasoline engines on the Russian market. This is a 1.5-liter supercharged EcoBoost with a capacity of 150 hp, a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter engine of equal power and a 1.5-liter EcoBoost, boosted to 182 hp. One and a half liter cars come with all-wheel drive, 2.5 - only with front-wheel drive. The transmission for all versions is the same - a 6-speed automatic transmission, classic hydromechanics.

Body and interior

What is Kuga prized for? For excellent driving performance, stylish look, spaciousness, comfort. This car has seven airbags, and the top-end versions also have an automatic braking system, a car parker, blind spot monitoring, tire pressure monitoring and much more.

If you buy a used Ford Kuga, first of all, you should pay attention to the condition of the body. Great news - the second generation Kuga was hot-dip galvanized at the factory, and if the car has not been in a serious accident, there should be no problems with the body!

The Kuga salon is very good for this class, although, of course, some flaws may already appear on pre-styling cars. Pay attention not only to the condition of the upholstery, steering wheel, pedals and gearbox, but also to the safety of the door seals - if dust and moisture are visible, there is a problem with tightness. However, this is rare.

Kuga's electrical and electronics are reliable. One of the most common crashes is a malfunction of the SYNC multimedia system, which suddenly starts making noise instead of music. This can be prevented by a simple "flashing", that is, reprogramming the system. Check with the first owner if you need to do this.

Engines and transmissions

There is nothing to criticize the atmospheric motors of the Coogie for. If the first owner carried out all the maintenance on time, there will be no problems. Only with a run of about 200 thousand kilometers may it be necessary to replace the dual-mass flywheel - this need can be easily identified by the metal grinding. It is important that all Kugov engines are adapted to run on 92 gasoline. Try to only refuel at networked gas stations. Supercharged EcoBoost engines don't like low-quality fuel. But who loves him anyway?

The 6F35 hydromechanical automatic transmission, developed by Ford in conjunction with General Motors, is considered one of the most reliable 6-speed automatic transmissions. This box quietly goes for 200 thousand, if the owner of the car is not fond of racing and observes the intervals of maintenance. It is quite easy to check the box: it should smoothly change gears in all modes and not make noise.

There were much more complaints about the GETRAG robotic Powershift box, but even then only until 2014. The engineers did some serious work and eliminated the main flaws. So you can buy such cars too. Naturally, after verification. And after the purchase, send the car for maintenance with the replacement of all technical fluids and filters.

This car is front-wheel drive. But there are a lot of all-wheel drive Kugs on sale. As part of the system, an electromagnetic clutch of the American brand Dana, which Fords preferred to the widespread Haldex clutch due to its speed. And do not be afraid of horror stories about overheating of the coupling - it is almost impossible to do this. And the easiest way to check the operability is also on the go: if all four wheels of the car “row”, the clutch is in order.

Shock absorbers and bearings

Native shock absorbers, with careful operation, serve 150 thousand each, as well as the silent blocks of the front levers. But the silent blocks of the rear independent suspension are rented out twice earlier. And every 50 thousand you have to change the struts and rear stabilizer bushings. However, it all depends on driving style.

Wheel bearing life depends on wheel size. With 18-inch wheels, it is, of course, smaller, replacement may be required at 100 thousand. The resource of brake system parts is highly dependent on the ambitions of the first owner. Many versions of the Coogee allow you to drive fast - and drivers abuse this opportunity!

26.12.2017

Ford Kuga is a fairly well-known car that needs no extra introduction. For the first time, this model was presented in 2006, by those standards the car had such a futuristic design that few believed in its mass production, which began 2 years later. Despite the fact that Ford had been preparing for the release of its first crossover for a long time, the car turned out to be quite interesting for motorists - the original design, good equipment and adequate cost allowed the car to compete with the market leaders. But how reliable it turned out to be, now let's try to figure it out.

Specifications

Make and body type - SUV, crossover;

Body dimensions (L x W x H), mm - 4443 x 1842 x 1677

Wheelbase, mm - 2690 ;;

Ground clearance, mm - 188;

Tire size - 235/55 R17;

Fuel tank volume, l - 66;

Curb weight, kg - 1584;

Full weight, kg - 2160;

Trunk capacity, l - 360;

Options - Trend, Trend ECO, Titanium and Titanium S.

Problem places used Ford Kuga

Body disadvantages:

Paintwork- there are practically no complaints about the quality of the painting, for neat drivers the paintwork remains in good condition even after 7-8 years of operation. Over time, paint may begin to swell at the edges of the doors.

Chromium- chrome-plated body elements do not resist the effects of reagents, which I generously sprinkle on the roads, as a result, chrome becomes cloudy, and then begins to slip. On cars that are operated in small towns (villages), this problem is less common.

Corrosion resistance- body parts have good protection against corrosion, thanks to this they confidently resist the onslaught of redhead disease, but some elements still require increased attention - on the welded seams, in the hidden cavities of the bottom, rust may appear over time. Also, you should monitor the condition of the sealant at the seams, under the hood and in the area of ​​the windshield.

Windshield- quite soft, because of this, it quickly becomes covered with scratches and chips. The same problem is inherent in the protective plastic of the headlights.

Door seals- require replacement after 4-5 years of operation.

Common powertrain malfunctions

Gas engine reliable and has a good resource - about 500,000 km. The timing wire is belt, the interval for changing the belt and rollers is 120,000 km, but many owners recommend carrying out this procedure every 90-100 thousand km. The main weak points are the crankcase ventilation system (it gets dirty quickly, if there is a problem, the engine starts to howl during operation), ignition modules, seals (oil seals), a generator (in order to shed its resource, you need to avoid driving through mud and keep clean under the hood) ...

The disadvantages of this motor also include:

Small resource of the original fuel pump- lasts 2-3 years on average.

Cooling radiator has a fairly small honeycomb, because of this it quickly clogs. If the radiator is not monitored (clean it 1-2 times a year), the risk of overheating the motor increases.

Exhaust system loses its tightness over time. The reason is the wear of the pipe seals at the joints.

Turbine, this part cannot be called problematic (as a rule, it serves 200,000 km or more), but the cost of replacing it for many becomes an unpleasant surprise (from $ 400).

Fuel level sensor, as well as on other related models, is not famous for its reliability, it can fail even after 10-20 thousand km.

Diesel

The diesel engine, like the gasoline engine, has mostly positive reviews. Unlike a gasoline power unit, this type of engine is equipped not only with a timing belt, but also with a chain drive - it drives the camshaft. The chain lasts a long time, but subject to timely and high-quality service. If the service intervals are not observed, the chain can stretch after 100-150 thousand km. Low viscosity oils such as SAE20 and SAE30 increase the likelihood of scuffing the crankshaft and crankshaft liners. In addition to maintenance, the engine is demanding on the quality of the fuel; when using diesel fuel from the "canister", the resource of injectors, high-pressure fuel pumps, EGR valve and diesel particulate filter is significantly reduced.

The main disadvantages of diesel engines:

Deterioration in dynamics and dips during sharp acceleration: the problem, as a rule, lies in the fuel system - due to leaking seals, air begins to suck in.

Increased engine vibration at idle: this feature most often appears in the cold season - the rubber elements of the engine mounts become tanned, after a long warm-up, the problem disappears.

Turbocharger: on a 163-horsepower engine, it can fail quite early (at a mileage of 100-120 thousand km), the reason is the bending of the blades as a result of mechanical damage (for repairs they ask from $ 70). The main cause of the problem is starting the engine in severe frosts.

Dual-mass flywheel, as a rule, fails at a run of 150-200 thousand km. Symptoms - a metallic grinding sound appears during acceleration.

Glow plugs on Ford Kuga, in comparison with other models, they have a limited resource - 60-80 thousand km. Some owners have encountered a premature failure of the glow plug control unit, fortunately, such cases are rare.

Brake vacuum pump by 100,000 km, it starts to leak. There are two solutions to this problem: radical - replacing the pump with a new one ($ 50-100), and budget - replacing rivets with bolts ($ 1-2). A description of the procedure can be found on the forums and on YouTube.

Gear boxes

Mechanical and automatic transmission have practically no negative reviews. The robotic PowerShift transmission will not often bother with breakdowns, but only on condition of timely maintenance (oil change every 60,000 km). If the oil is not changed in a timely manner, PowerShift can deliver such an unpleasant surprise as clutch and solenoid failure. Also, untimely maintenance increases the likelihood of overheating of the box, which can result in oil leaks and increased vibration of the unit.

Four-wheel drive- the Haldex 3 clutch was installed on the Ford Kuga of the first years of production, its weak point is the pump, it very often fails after 60-80 thousand km. The replacement cost is about 400 USD. On cars manufactured in 2009 and later, the Haldex 4 coupling is installed, unlike the previous version, the problem with the pump is much less common. If the pump starts to leak, it is better not to tighten when replacing it, as this can lead to premature failure of the DEM clutch control unit. Replacing the block will cost $ 1000-1300, for the repair of the block they ask from $ 200. Also, oil seal leaks can be attributed to the common disadvantages of the coupling. It is worth noting that both nodes do not tolerate long-term slippage and heavy loads. After 150,000 km of run, it is necessary to replace the CV joint of the propeller shaft; if it malfunctions, a characteristic clinking appears when the rear wheels are connected.

Suspension Ford Kuga

The design of the Ford Kuga suspension is not much different from the Ford Focus soplatform: in front - MacPherson, in the back - "multi-link". This combination allows you to comfortably move not only on the highway, but also far beyond its borders. The bolts of the rear wishbones over time tightly sour, because of this, difficulties arise when installing the camber (the bolts have to be cut off with a grinder). To avoid additional costs, it is necessary to lubricate the arm fasteners at every service.

Suspension resource:

• Stabilizer struts and bushings - front 40-50 thousand km; rear - 60-70 thousand km.
• Hub bearings - 80-120 thousand km (the resource depends on the radius of the installed wheels, the larger the radius, the shorter the resource).
• Silent blocks of levers - 150-200 thousand km.
• Shock absorbers - 120-150 thousand km.
• Rear suspension arms - 100-150 thousand km.

Steering- this site is reliable and rarely surprises. Steering tips serve on average 100-130 thousand km, thrust - up to 150-200 km.

Brakes- the brake system has one unpleasant feature - when the pads are worn more than 50%, an unpleasant squeak appears on some copies, as a rule, when driving backward after a long forward movement. For trouble-free operation of the calipers (they may begin to wedge), it is necessary to periodically lubricate their guides.

Salon and electrical

Most of the trim elements of the Ford Kuga are made of high-quality materials, and the build quality does not raise questions. Despite this, there are still a couple of shortcomings here - after 3-4 years of operation, scuffs appear on the leather sheath of the steering wheel and the gear knob, and extraneous sounds (creaking, knocking) appear. The main sources of extraneous sounds are the trunk shelf, seats and the interior lamp.

Moisture in the cabin- may appear for two reasons: the air conditioner branch pipe or sealant at the seams, as a rule, in the area of ​​the windshield, loses its tightness. Moisture trapped in the passenger compartment can damage the equipment control units.

Electrical equipment- most often the windows and the GEM-module responsible for the operation of external lighting and light alarms fail.

Let's summarize:

Ford Kuga is a typical SUV designed for urban use, therefore, this car is unlikely to suit those who like frequent off-road driving, hunters and fishermen. Operating experience has shown that Ford Kuga is a reliable car, and this is also confirmed by positive reviews from the owners. The main disadvantages of the model are the unreliability of the Haldex coupling and the high cost of maintenance.

If you have experience in operating this car model, please tell us what problems and difficulties you had to face. Perhaps it is your feedback that will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.

When choosing a car, we pay attention to the corporate appearance, the comfort of the interior and the reliability of the equipment. Crossover Ford Kuga acquired many positive properties in the first generation. So why did the company release the second one soon after? The brand inherited both the pros and cons of the crossovers of that time. Therefore, owners and planning to purchase should be aware of the obvious shortcomings of the 2008-2012 Ford Kuga.

Weaknesses of the first generation Ford Kuga crossover

The spectacular appearance hides the frankly weak sides of the car:

• engines;
• turbochargers;
• welds;
• electronics;
• salon.

Now in more detail ...

Diesel engines pose a lot more problems than gasoline engines. Most of the problems are related to the intake air supply or the fuel system. Vibration is often noted during idle or acceleration. Bad odor and increased fuel consumption during regeneration of the particulate filter is sometimes combined with DPF sensor problems. Low-quality fuel accelerates the wear of the injectors. Flywheel performance also degrades significantly over time. We'll have to replace it too.

Gasoline engines do not require as careful maintenance as diesel ones, but they are not without drawbacks. It would seem that the impressive volume of the tank of 66 liters should be more than enough, but in urban conditions the inefficiency of fuel consumption is especially noticeable.

Turbochargers.

Powerful diesel engines put a lot of stress on turbochargers and significantly reduce their service life. With the mileage, the turbine blades wear out more and more, because they are subjected to constant mechanical damage. Imbalance impeller also causes freezing in severe frosts. An additional unit is not available in the basic configuration, the installation of which can get rid of this drawback.

Corrosive seams can appear in hidden areas of the body, on the bottom or in the windshield recess due to poor assembly. A direct consequence of insufficient tightness is the leakage of water into the passenger compartment. It is unpleasant in itself, but if the accumulated moisture penetrates into the electronic equipment of the transport and puts it out of action, trouble cannot be avoided. Pay attention to such a serious sore as soon as possible. This will eliminate the need for costly repairs.

Electronics.

Failure of electronic modules is most often associated with insufficient tightness and moisture ingress. In combination with the welded seams of the windshield of frankly poor quality, this is a real disaster. Breakdowns of the suspension and fuel level sensors occur periodically. A short circuit in the oil separator cup heating system instantly blows the fuse. In the case of diesel engines, the glow plugs will need to be replaced quite often. In cases of intensive use, generators are not particularly reliable either.

Cars of the brand are distinguished by acceptable noise insulation. But if you do not be careful and do not listen to the advice on operation, you will have to put up with the annoying creaks of the seats, the knocking of the fixing bushings and the rear door, the vibration of the hood and rear-view mirror, as well as the unpleasant noise of the internal temperature fan.

Among the vulnerabilities of the Kuga, the spaciousness of the cabin and trunk deserves special attention. There is hardly enough space in the rear seats even for three people of average build. There is not enough space to accommodate the cargo. Silver on many decorative elements is prone to scratches and gradual flaking. Rubber seals, which protect from wind noise, weaken rather quickly and need to be replaced after five years.

The main disadvantages of the Ford Kuga 2008-2012 release

1. flaws in the ergonomics of the cabin and trunk;
2. particulate filter;
3. rear bushings must be replaced only complete with levers;
4. too high fuel consumption in the petrol version;
5. unpleasant noise due to vibration of the hood or rear-view mirror;
6. poor sealing of seams, the likelihood of corrosion and moisture penetration;
7. the capabilities of the car as an SUV leave much to be desired;
8. Sometimes only warming up helps to start the engine in frost.

Conclusion.

Judging the quality of the Ford Kuga crossover is a subjective decision of each driver. Some people will like the cross-country ability, responsiveness of control, characteristics of electronic equipment and engine power, quality-price ratio. Someone will not appreciate the uneconomical consumption of gasoline, weak sound insulation, cramped cabin and trunk, rigidity.

It all depends on personal preferences, design features and operating conditions, but in any case, before buying a vehicle, you should familiarize yourself with the specified troubles of the 1st generation Ford Kuga, and make a choice based on them.

Weaknesses and main disadvantages of a used Ford Kuga was last modified: October 15th, 2018 by Administrator

➖ Build quality
➖ Ergonomics
➖ Visibility
➖ Fuel consumption

pros

➕ Manageability
➕ Suspension
➕ Passage
➕ Comfortable salon

The advantages and disadvantages of the 2018-2019 Ford Kuga in a new body are revealed based on feedback from real owners. More detailed pros and cons of Ford Kuga 2 generations 2.5 and 1.5 turbo with automatic, front and all-wheel drive 4x4 can be found in the stories below:

Owner reviews

The car is comfortable for long distances over 1000 km per day. We drove both on the highways and on military dirt roads, climbed along the talus roads in the mountains (no extreme) - Kuga 2 drives confidently, drives up when sliding, when stopping on a reverse slope, it does not go back, you can move calmly as if on level ground.

Up to 140 km / h, the speed is not particularly felt, it becomes noisy faster and vibrations appear, but it keeps the course confidently and at 160. The car is generally balanced, it has no frankly weak points.

The turbocharged engine pulls quite briskly in the city, for sharp overtaking there is Sport on the highway, or a button for a low one.

The suspension is more urban on country roads, you will not go quickly, it will pass through virgin fields, along rainy forest roads, along a flat beach, it drives nicely. For 30,000 km, nothing happened, the interval between maintenance is 15,000 km. The overall impression is a typical urban crossover: comfortable, vigorous, with its own pleasant little things.

But at the same time, I do not like the layout: the body is narrow, high and elongated (compared to classmates). The wide front pillar blocks the side view, the mirrors do not fold completely and end up sticking out, there is illumination of the legs for some reason, but there is no illumination of the glove compartment, there is a closing handle on the tailgate only on one side, so with a busy right hand you need to contrive to close and the move is pretty hard, a weak woman will have to hang on it.

Igor Suvorov, drives a Ford Kuga 1.6 (150 HP) AWD AT 2015

You can switch the speed on the automatic box in manual mode. Very comfortable seats, you get into the car like a spacecraft. Nice flat square luggage space with the rear seats folded.

Ford Kuga II holds the road perfectly, the car is very maneuverable when driving around the city. And it's very cool to refuel gasoline: I opened the flap and there are no plugs, put the pistol in and took out the pistol, clean and comfortable.

Gasoline consumption dropped after 40,000 km, sharply, the car began to consume 2 liters less gasoline. It is strange why such a long break-in period? In rainy weather, the trunk does not open from the foot on the first try. The doors also sometimes (very rarely) do not open on the first attempt with keyless access.

Yes, for some reason the side windows get dirty very quickly in the rain. There was only one complaint - after 35,000 km, the motor cooling bypass failed, it was changed under warranty, despite the fact that I never came to MOT, I changed the oil and filter myself.

Nikolay Sheryshev, drives a Ford Kuga 1.6 (150 hp) AWD AT 2013

Video review

Very comfortable and pleasant to drive a car, many options, a gorgeous panoramic roof, excellent bi-xenon, a very convenient and famous door that opens with a foot, excellent seats, which have shown themselves very well on long trips (1,300 km without stopping, you can easily drive), good finishing materials interior, decent dynamics, good brakes, very good sound insulation, comfortable suspension, sharp steering wheel, the car is comfortable at speeds up to 200 km / h.

But there are also jambs: then the box squeaks, pushes and kicks, the steering rack knocks and asks for replacement, the deflectors crunch, the saber wiped the holes in the back door to the metal, the keyless entry falls off, the music is full r .., the steering column clicks, the speedometer curve, the hood vibrates at idle, the tailgate opens and then no longer, something squeaks, taps, rattles, the tire pressure monitoring system does not work, the washer level sensor too ...

In addition to this, I was faced with a complete reluctance of official dealers to do anything within the framework of their warranty obligations. Complete from the word "absolutely". Tightly frostbitten guys. And he received the same attitude from the head Russian Ford ...

Dmitry Gaidash, drives a Ford Kuga 1.6 (182 hp) AWD automatic in 2016

Where can I buy?

After they were taken away, they drove the first 200 km - the average consumption showed 8.6 liters. In the city, consumption with all warm-ups and idling showed 13.9 liters. It's a smooth ride.

You understand, while I run in, I do not force it. The departure was out of town, along a distance of 200 km one way - the flow rate showed already 7.3 liters. I fill in gasoline 92nd, the seller advised only to drive 92nd, I don’t know how much is correct, what are you filling?

Now the mileage is already in the region of 900 km. The car warms up very quickly, 5-10 minutes and the temperature arrow goes up. Feels like this is not a car, but an airplane, it is quiet, calm and comfortable inside. The seats also warm up very quickly.

Another big plus, which was paid attention to, is the blowing of the rear passengers. On the Kuga, it has a plus to the heating of the legs. In my opinion, there is no CX-5. We carry the child in the back. Another plus is the tilt-adjustable rear seats.

I started the car even at -30 degrees (after 12 hours of inactivity), there are no hints at all that the Kuga will not start. The interior is warm, and in the current frost I sit loosely in a T-shirt.

About handling - generally a thrill. There is no ice or snow porridge between the stripes. When overtaking everything is smooth and calm, you sit high, the visibility is excellent. Rubber is Nokia 5 R17 (received as a gift from the salon).

Review of Ford Kuga 1.5 turbo (150 hp) with automatic and all-wheel drive 2018

I will compare Kugu with my former Suzuki Grand Vitara. Exterior. Like the front. Still, the muzzle adorned this unit. I do not like the previous body (some kind of squinted in front). From the side, nothing has changed, indifferent. The rear has changed a little for the better.

Salon. The width on the front row is the same as on the Suzuki. The seats are more comfortable. I settled down right away, the lumbar support is good, as well as the lateral support. The right leg does not get tired.

The heated front windshield is a wonderful thing, perhaps the most useful thing after the air conditioner. There is no need to wait for the engine to heat up, and when, in turn, warm air heats up the glass, which means it is not necessary to make ridiculous movements with the scraper.

It is quite spacious under the hood, but the neck for the washer is several centimeters higher - it would be more convenient. What I really don't like is the lack of a dipstick for checking the oil in the automatic transmission.

Suspension. Compromise solution. I can evaluate it fairly objectively, since every day I go to and from work on the same path (road). In those places where I remembered everyone, starting with the road workers and ending with our supreme power, with bad words, now I fly by imperceptibly, well, or almost imperceptibly.

Engine. What he wanted, he got it. Simple volumetric aspirated. Someone may not have enough traction, but the wave is enough for me, and in extreme cases there is a sport mode. But you need to service (change the oil) every 15,000 km. For me, sheer blasphemy.

The owner drives a Ford Kuga 2.5 (150 HP) AT AWD 2016

I have a standard package, but it has everything you need. Front-wheel drive. The car holds perfectly and a dry road, and a large downpour with puddles. Someone wrote that Kuga does not eat rut - they lie! Ford normally digests it, any car will feel this lack of our roads. On a normal smear, outside the asphalt and after rain, the car drives confidently and does not grimace.

The Kug's handling is excellent and holds the turns perfectly, even on a circular path. There is no roll at high-speed approach! Do not listen to anyone, since I also read somewhere that lurch too much.

This is my first machine gun, and it seems to me that the mechanics would be faster. Gear shifting is slower than desired. Also frustrating is the expense. On the highway at a speed of 110-130 km / h, 9.5-10 liters are needed, and at 140-150 - already 10-11 liters. Around the city - 12 liters.

Review of Ford Kuga 2.5 (150 HP) with automatic 2019

The Kuga brake system has no specific flaws, except that the ABS unit occasionally fails, and its algorithms for working on uneven surfaces are not ideal - too strong release. In general, the brakes are well loaded - the car came out heavy and quite powerful. Nevertheless, the resource of discs and pads is quite acceptable: discs run at least 50-60 thousand kilometers, and often for one and a half hundred. A set of discs is usually enough for two or three sets of pads, which can be considered an excellent result.

The suspension is generally strong, with the main questions about Ford's parts policy. MacPherson is in front, and he walks for a long time: with runs over a hundred thousand, all silent blocks and ball joints are usually in perfect condition, and only the sagging support of the rack requires intervention. The shock absorbers themselves, with a similar mileage, are already losing in efficiency, but they are not yet flowing, and the car maintains decent behavior on the road.

Dimensions (L / W / H), mm

4 443 / 1 842 / 1 677

The rear multi-link is more difficult. Here, the silent blocks and supports of the lower carrier arm, as well as the silent blocks of the saber arm, are mainly worn out. For those who regularly drive with full load, knocking can begin after 60-80 thousand mileage, but with a low load, the entire system runs noticeably more than one and a half hundred thousand. With shock absorbers, the situation is approximately the same as the front end.

The main disadvantage is that, unfortunately, not all suspension parts can be simply ordered from the catalog: the manufacturer strongly recommends changing the complete levers. Fans of economy have to master the catalogs of Volvo and Mazda. The second flaw is that the wheel bearings on a Ford are generally a sore spot, and Kuga has not escaped this scourge. They are completely "not eternal" here, a low degree of sealing and a lack of lubrication lead to noise or even jam over time. We have to change them - and, as usual, it is better for a variant from Volvo - it is made a little better than the "original".

There is usually no hassle with the helmsman: there is a strong rack and not very strong tips, which easily take the "blow", but wear out quickly in combination with wide tires. It is compensated by the fact that these are very common spare parts.

Transmission

Here is a little more trouble, and they are much more expensive. Only front-wheel drive cars with "mechanics" have no problems - they only have dual-mass flywheels that sometimes need to be changed or repaired.

In four-wheel drive cars, the Haldex clutch is added to the number of problematic units: it does not like long-term operation and slippage, and besides, it requires an oil change at least once every 30-50 thousand kilometers, otherwise both the pump and its other filling may fail. A two-generation clutch was installed on the Kuga: by the end of 2009 you can find the 3rd generation Haldex - it has a very vulnerable pump, and the operation algorithm is not the best. But after 2009 it is always Haldex 4 - it is less of a hassle with it, but it still needs frequent maintenance and occasionally presents surprises.

If the inscription “AWD defective” is lit up, then in the case of cars up to the end of 2009 it is most likely a dead pump. The cost of repairs is from ten thousand rubles, if only the electrician has suffered. Occasionally, failures are associated with the wiring to the electronics of the unit, since it is located quite openly, and for those who like to climb off-road, the area where the clutch is located becomes dirty, as a result of which the contacts can fail. Unfortunately, the list of hassles doesn't end there.

Drive unit

Oil leaks through the clutch seals often lead to damage to the pump itself, including on machines with a Haldex 4 clutch. And since the volume of oil is only about half a liter, the clutch is extremely sensitive to such losses. With the active use of all-wheel drive, you need to change filters and oil regularly, and the higher the load on the rear axle, the more often. And if the pump, for example, in the event of a breakdown, it is better to buy a new one, then filters are easier and cheaper to buy from Volvo: catalog number 30787687 for cars with Haldex 3 and number 31325173 for more recent ones. If any of this is neglected, then the structure begins to "crumble": first the pump failure, then the clutch pack and electronics.

All owners of Volvo cars of the mid-2000s are familiar with the Aisin AW55-51 automatic transmission, which is the most common in our country, and it was used on, and on, and even on. Quite strong in mechanical terms, it does not please the owners with the small resource of the linings of the gas turbine engine with active driving and a low resource of the valve body. He is extremely capricious about any pollution, he has delicate solenoids, besides, the structure as a whole is rather complicated, it is difficult to repair “on the knee” and requires careful diagnostics.

Nevertheless, 200-250 thousand such a box will work fine provided that the oil is changed on time, especially since on the Kuga it works with an external radiator and rarely overheats. But it is still recommended to remove the thermostat, install an external fine filter and change the oil every 30-40 thousand kilometers. Ford got the last version of this automatic transmission, and it is not particularly capricious. All childhood illnesses have long been cured, and you can not be afraid of cars with automatic transmission, unless you carefully check whether the "racer" drove it - the box does not like this kind of load.

Proposal for checkpoint type

Maximum speed, km / h

But the automatic transmission PowerShift of the 6DST450 series, which is often found with diesel engines, is already from a completely different test. This preselective six-speed "robot" turned out to be very problematic, like all preselectives of this generation. The main problem is the long service interval and the associated amount of accumulation of contaminants in the oil. The main consumables in this case are solenoids and a clutch kit. The complexity of the design turned out to be too high for most non-specialized services, which means that the price of any repair from the "right" people will be rather big. And the price of spare parts bites.

Another serious disadvantage is the restrictions on towing - the restrictions here are even stricter than those of Audi with their "CVT": 20 km at a speed of 20 km / h. And in no case in reverse. By the way, the solenoids are compatible with the Volkswagen hit DQ250, and indeed the boxes are similar in design.

Oil leaks and unit vibrations usually indicate that there are problems with overheating: most likely, the oil is contaminated to the limit, and the clutch slips under prolonged load. If the box is alive, then we can recommend a very frequent oil change, every 20-30 thousand, and an additional external full-flow filter - best of all with a pollution sensor. In the case of a timely oil change and highway driving modes, the box demonstrates the wonders of the resource: there are instances with runs for 350 thousand without repairs, but most owners during operation in the city will be limited to a mileage of 150 thousand and very expensive repairs.

Motors

Engines and power

Kuga's motors are few and far between. The 2.5T gasoline engine comes from Volvo. For use on Fords, it was slightly changed, but not the fact that it was improved. However, on the whole, this is an extremely resourceful motor, a million-plus, capable of overcoming the mark of 400-500 thousand kilometers without much stress with a minimum level of service, and even more if it is good.

The main problems of the engines on the Kuga are the crankcase ventilation system with a PCV valve integrated into the oil trap, not the best seals, weak ignition modules and expensive turbines. Moreover, some of the problems on Volvo are absent - in any case, everything is easier with turbines there, and there are fewer complaints about ignition modules. The timing belt is driven by a belt with a consistently high resource, about 90-120 thousand kilometers - just watch out for its oiling, since the belt does not last long after oil has entered.

The Pierburg gasoline pump fails literally after a few years, so it is better to replace it with a non-original one. And radiators need regular cleaning, especially in predominantly urban traffic. Exhaust often loses its tightness, pipe joints wear out - but this often happens with diesel engines ... By the way, it is not necessary to completely change the so-called "old-style" oil separator: there is a separate PCV valve membrane on sale, and the body can be washed. But a slightly more reliable new one without a "collective farm" is no longer being repaired.

Powertrain proposal

Two-liter diesel engines are familiar from other Ford models - these are engines developed jointly with PSA, the DW10 and DW12 series. Their main problems are in the low viscosity of Ford oil (on SAE20 and even SAE30, the chances of crankshaft scuffing and "fist of friendship" increase greatly) and in the relative rarity of such engines, therefore, not every service will be able to service them well. Expensive injectors, difficulties with burning a particulate filter and other diesel troubles also did not escape them. So such a motor with high mileage can cause a lot of trouble.

Fuel consumption per 100 km

On the other hand, the resource of the piston group is high, and a large crossover with a diesel engine, even in traffic jams, will have a consumption of less than 10 liters per hundred (and in some cases about 7). And there are enough contract units. But the "short block problem" is very far-fetched: the lack of some components on sale does not mean that the engine is not repairable, since there are pistons and rings, you can buy liners. Just an inexpensive short block really solves a lot of problems while guaranteeing a high quality recovery. The main thing is to try not to cause damage to the crankshaft and block. Study the algorithm of the particulate filter cleaning system, pour not the "brand", but the correct oil. And remember that diesel often requires more money for maintenance - just as much as it "eats" less fuel. When buying, check the operation of the vacuum valve of the brake and boost system, as well as the condition of the glow plugs and the serviceability of their control unit.

Summary

The first experience of developing its own European crossover at Ford was clearly not lumpy. Unless the strange choice of powertrains and pricing policy did not give him a chance - but it looks like it was intended. In many ways, this car is better, more solid, more comfortable and more reliable than its competitors. And of the undoubted advantages, one can note powerful gasoline engines and a design proven by millions of Focuses.

There are also disadvantages, but the perfect car does not exist. Four-wheel drive on cars of the first years of production is very capricious, diesel engines during dealer service are at risk, and a robotic gearbox is very troublesome and expensive to maintain, you cannot rely on it. But the price of the cars is more than attractive. In general, if you are in love with this car, but are not ready to spend, think about purchasing the simplest option with front-wheel drive and "mechanics". If difficulties do not scare you, careful diagnostics and patience will help you find an option with an “automatic” machine, a suitable engine and Haldex 4th generation clutch.

Prices for some spare parts