Ford

Escape / Kuga TF / ZG inspection checklist

2012-2020 · 12 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

mediumPowerShift 6DCT450 fluid neglect (diesel / 2.5T)

Look for: Diesel and 2.5T cars use the wet-clutch 6DCT450 PowerShift - much better than the dry-clutch DPS6 in the Focus/Fiesta class action, but it still needs its specific fluid service; neglect leads to harsh shifts, clutch wear and mechatronic faults.

If you find it: Use the correct DCT fluid at the recommended interval; specialist service if shifting degrades. Do not assume it is the failed dry-clutch unit - it is not.

From 120k+ km · ~$1500-4000

2 of 5 engines

highWet (belt-in-oil) timing belt degradation

Look for: The 1.6 EcoBoost uses a belt-in-oil drive. The belt sheds rubber as it ages, contaminating oil, clogging the oil pump pickup and risking timing skip and catastrophic engine damage if not replaced on time.

If you find it: Replace the wet belt at or before the recommended interval (do not stretch it); use the correct oil and stick to short change intervals.

From 100k-150k km (or by age) · ~$1500-3500 (belt) / engine if it fails

highCoolant intrusion / cracked head (open-deck EcoBoost)

Look for: The 1.5/2.0 EcoBoost open-deck block has a coolant slot between cylinders that reduces head-gasket sealing area; under boost, combustion pressure can push coolant into the cylinders, leading to coolant loss, misfires and cracked heads. Spawned overseas class actions.

If you find it: Monitor coolant level closely; investigate any unexplained coolant loss, white exhaust or misfire promptly before the head cracks; head/gasket repair if affected.

Any (can be early) · ~$3000-9000

mediumIntake-valve carbon build-up

Look for: Direct injection means no fuel washes the intake valves, so carbon accumulates causing rough idle, misfires and lost power.

If you find it: Walnut-blast / intake clean; catch-can helps reduce recurrence.

From 80k+ km · ~$400-1200

1.6L EcoBoost turbo petrol

highCoolant loss / overheating / engine-fire recall (1.6 EcoBoost)

Look for: Lack of coolant circulation can cause the 1.6 EcoBoost to overheat, crack the cylinder head and leak pressurised oil onto hot surfaces - a fire risk. Ford recalled ~4,450 AU Kugas (2013-2014) plus Fiesta STs after several fires. If the recall work was skipped and the engine overheated, the head/engine can be ruined.

If you find it: Confirm the recall (coolant/overheat campaign) has been completed; walk away from any car showing overheating history or a replaced head without records.

Any · ~$0 (recall) - $5000-12000 if engine cooked

2.0L TDCi Duratorq turbo diesel

highTiming belt replacement / failure if neglected

Look for: The 2.0 TDCi Duratorq uses a timing belt that must be replaced on schedule; a neglected, perished belt can let go and wreck this interference engine.

If you find it: Replace the timing belt with kit and water pump at the scheduled interval; verify history before purchase.

By interval (often ~150k-200k km or 10yr) · ~$1200-2500 (service) / engine if it snaps

mediumDPF clogging (urban / short-trip use)

Look for: The diesel particulate filter blocks if the car never gets sustained highway runs to complete a regen, triggering warning lights, limp mode and forced/expensive cleaning or replacement. A large share of owners report DPF grief in city use.

If you find it: Regular highway runs to allow regen; correct low-ash oil; forced regen or DPF clean if blocked, replacement if cooked.

Any (short-trip use) · ~$500-2500

mediumEGR valve clogging and intake soot

Look for: EGR recirculation soots up the valve and intake, causing rough running, poor performance and fault codes.

If you find it: EGR clean or replacement and intake decarbon as needed.

From 80k+ km · ~$300-1200

mediumInjector and turbo wear at higher km

Look for: Common-rail injectors and the variable-geometry turbo can wear at higher km, causing rough idle, smoke, power loss and limp mode.

If you find it: Injector test/replacement and turbo service by a diesel specialist; quality fuel and filtration.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-4000

2.5L Duratec turbo petrol (TF1 launch)

mediumPowerShift (6DCT450) clutch/mechatronic wear

Look for: The wet-clutch 6DCT450 is far more durable than the dry-clutch DPS6, but neglected fluid changes lead to clutch pack and mechatronic wear, causing jerky shifts or fault codes.

If you find it: Use correct DCT fluid on schedule; clutch/mechatronic service by a transmission specialist if shifting deteriorates.

From 120k+ km · ~$1500-4000

mediumTurbo / PCV and oil-leak ancillaries (age)

Look for: The turbocharged Duratec 5-cyl can develop turbo wear, PCV faults and oil leaks at high km, common to this Volvo-shared engine family.

If you find it: Quality oil and regular changes; address PCV and seals as they appear; inspect turbo for shaft play.

From 150k+ km · ~$500-2500

2.0L EcoBoost turbo petrol

mediumIntake-valve carbon and turbo/PCV ancillaries

Look for: Direct-injection carbon plus age-related turbo, PCV and oil-leak issues common to the high-output EcoBoost.

If you find it: Intake clean, PCV service, inspect turbo; catch-can to reduce carbon.

From 100k+ km · ~$500-1800

4 minor things (low severity)

lowElectrical / infotainment gremlins (SYNC, modules)

Look for: SYNC infotainment freezes/reboots, Bluetooth dropouts, reversing-camera and body-module quirks are commonly reported on the TF/ZG.

If you find it: Software updates/reflash; module reset or replacement where needed.

Any · ~$150-800

lowSuspension bushes, links and front-end wear

Look for: Control-arm bushes, sway-bar links and front-end components wear and clunk with km and rough roads.

If you find it: Replace worn bushes/links; standard suspension refresh.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-1000

lowBrake wear (heavy, sporty soft-roader)

Look for: A relatively heavy, eager-handling SUV gets through pads and rotors, especially the AWD 2.0 EcoBoost.

If you find it: Quality pads/rotors at service intervals.

From 50k+ km · ~$350-800

lowWater ingress / drain blockages and rust spots

Look for: Blocked sunroof/scuttle drains and tailgate areas can let water in; coastal cars can show isolated rust around the tailgate and underbody.

If you find it: Clear drains regularly; inspect carpets for damp and bodywork for rust pre-purchase.

Any · ~$150-900

From FlamingCars' Ford Escape / Kuga guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.