Ford Kuga2023

Known issues

• Battery degradation and reduced electric range after 2–3 years of ownership; battery management system software faults causing charge cycles to fail
• 12V auxiliary battery drain issues, particularly in cold weather, causing vehicle start failures and warning lights
• EV-to-ICE transition judder when the petrol engine kicks in during acceleration or motorway merging
• Infotainment system and SYNC 4 touchscreen software crashes, requiring hard resets; occasional loss of Bluetooth pairing
• Water ingress into the hybrid battery pack housing reported in damp climates, leading to short circuits and module replacement
• Transmission shudder and hesitation during low-speed manoeuvres in hybrid mode, particularly in stop-start traffic

Good for

• Low official CO₂ emissions and tax-friendly BiK rating if used primarily on electric charge
• Reasonable interior space and practicality for families; good visibility and driving position
• Decent petrol engine performance (165 ps EcoBoost) when electric range is depleted; capable on longer journeys without charging infrastructure
• Ford's dealer network support and relatively straightforward service booklet for routine maintenance