Review: Ford TE Kuga (2012-13)

Overview

Released in February 2012, the Ford Mk.1 Kuga was a mid-size, all-wheel drive SUV. Manufactured in Saarlouis, Germany, the Kuga was powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, the Kuga range consisted of Trend and Titanium variants.

Duratec engine

The 2.5-litre ‘Duratec’ turbocharged petrol engine had double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.0:1. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, the Kuga achieved fuel consumption of 10.6 litres per 100 km.

Dimensions and suspension

Based on the same C1 platform as the Mk.2 Focus , the Kuga was 4443 mm long, 1842 mm wide, 1710 mm tall and had a 2690 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the Kuga had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent ‘Control Blade’ multi-link rear suspension.

AWD system

The TE Kuga was fitted with a Haldex all-wheel drive system. Under normal driving conditions, the system provided a 90:10 front:rear torque distribution. As a pro-active all-wheel drive system, electronics could pre-tension the clutch – via the feeder pump – and activate all-wheel drive before wheel slip occurred. As a result, torque was evenly distributed between the front and rear axles (i.e. 50:50) when the clutch was locked.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the TE Kuga included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , the Kuga – fitted with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine – received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.69 out of 37. In the offset crash test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the driver and protection for the driver’s chest and head was assessed as adequate. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact and pole tests.

Features

Standard features for the Kuga Trend included 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/55 R17 tyres, an eight speaker sound system with MP3-compatibility, CD player and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), air conditioning, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with voice recognition, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, three 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and an immobiliser. The Kuga also had a separately opening tailgate.

The Kuga Titanium was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/50 R18 tyres, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather upholstery, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, folding rear seat tray tables, a heated windscreen, electrochromatic rear vision mirror, panoramic glass roof, rear privacy glass and floor mats.

Brochure

• Brochure: Ford TE Kuga (February 2012)

Related links

• Press Kit: Ford TE Kuga (February 2012)
• Ford Newsroom: Ford Kuga – Key Features at a Glance (February 2012)
• Wikipedia.org: Ford Mk.1 Kuga

Review: Ford TF.I Kuga (2013-14)

Overview

Released in May 2013, the Ford Mk.2 Kuga was a mid-size SUV. Manufactured in Valencia, Spain, the Ford TF Kuga was initially available in front- and all-wheel drive models with 1.6-litre ‘EcoBoost’ petrol and 2.0-litre ‘Duratorq TDCi’ turbo-diesel engines. As per the table below, the TF Kuga range consisted of Ambiente, Trend and Titanium editions.

Engines: EcoBoost and Duratorq TDCi

Of the engines,

• The 1.6-litre ‘EcoBoost’ petrol engine had a single turbocharger, direct petrol injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and twin independent variable camshaft timing. For models with manual transmissions (i.e. the Ambiente variant), the engine also had a Stop/Start function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary; and,
• The 2.0-litre ‘Duratorq TDCi’ diesel engine had a variable geometry turbocharger, intercooler, common-rail injection, piezo-electric injectors, twin belt-driven camshafts (with the inlet camshaft connected to a cam belt and the exhaust camshaft indirectly linked via a timing chain) and four valves per cylinder.

The EcoBoost engines were mated to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions (Ford’s ‘SelectShift’), while the Duratorq TDCi engines were solely available with double clutch transmissions (‘PowerShift’); the full Mk.2 Kuga range is given in the table below.

Dimensions

Compared to the Ford TE Kuga , the second-generation TF Kuga was 81 mm longer (4524 mm), 4 mm narrower (1838 mm) and 8 mm lower (1702 mm, including roof rails), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2690 mm).

Suspension

The Ford Mk.2 Kuga had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent ‘Control Blade’ multi-link rear suspension.

AWD system

The Mk.2 Kuga was available with Ford’s “Intelligent all-wheel drive” system which utilised a JTEKT multi-plate clutch pack between the front and rear differentials. In normal conditions, the clutch pack would not be engaged so that only the front wheel would be driven for maximum fuel economy. The all-wheel drive system, however, would continuously monitor traction inputs and, if it determined that rear-wheel drive was needed, engage the clutch to increase torque to the rear axle in a linear fashion up to a 50:50 front:rear torque split.

All-wheel drive Kuga models also had a Torque Vectoring Control function which could apply the brakes to the inside front wheel when cornering to effectively transfer torque to the opposite wheel and thereby reduce understeer.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Ford Mk.2 Kuga included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Kuga will also be fitted with Emergency Assistance, a free service which automatically uses a synchronised mobile phone to contact emergency services and provide GPS coordinates of the vehicle in the event of airbag deployment or activation of the vehicle’s emergency fuel shut-off.

Furthermore, the Kuga Trend and Titanium were available with an optional $2650 ‘Technology Pack’ which included:

• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS): a sensor-based system which displayed an alert in the side mirror when a vehicle was detected in the vehicle’s blind-spot. Furthermore, the cross-traffic alert provided a warning if traffic was detected approaching from the side of the vehicle (e.g. when reversing out of a parking space);
• Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Aid: using a forward facing camera, Lane Departure Warning would alert the driver if the vehicle unintentionally drifted out of its lane. Furthermore, the Lane Keeping Aid would actively steer the Kuga back into its lane;
• Forward Collision Warning: using an optical radar, the driver would receive audible and visual warnings when a collision with a vehicle ahead was anticipated;
• Collision Mitigation by Braking: automatically provided additional brake pressure if a potential collision was anticipated;
• Active City Stop: automatically applied the brakes when a low-speed collision was imminent. As such, collisions at speeds of up to 15 km/h could be prevented and the severity of impacts between 15 km/h and 30 km/h reduced; and,
• Adaptive Cruise Control: a radar-based cruise control system which could maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle ahead. If the system detected that the vehicle ahead was decelerating or too close, it would apply the brakes to maintain a safe distance. Once the road was clear, the system would accelerate the vehicle back to the desired cruising speed.

Brakes

The Ford TF Kuga had 320 mm ventilated front brake discs and 280 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Ford Mk.2 Kuga received a five star safety rating which included a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the front offset crash test, protection for the front occupants was generally rated as good, though chest protection was only rated as adequate, as was lower leg protection for the front passenger. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test; in the more severe pole test, however, chest protection was rated as adequate.

Under ANCAP’s methodology, the Ford Kuga received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 36.33 out of 37.

Features: Kuga Ambiente, Trend and Titanium

Standard features for the Ford Kuga Ambiente included 17-inch steel wheels with 235/55 R17 tyres (and a space-saving spare wheel), a six speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod) and Bluetooth mobile phone integration (Ford’s ‘SYNC’) with voice control, air conditioning, cruise control, cloth seat trim, front and rear fog lights, 60/40 split and flat folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, push-button start, a cargo cover, three 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Ford Kuga Trend was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/50 R18 tyres, a nine speaker Sony audio system with a 4.2-inch colour TFT display, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather seat inserts, a ten-way power adjustable driver’s seat, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-wrapped gearshift lever, rear privacy glass, an electrochromatic rear view mirror and roof rails.

The Ford Kuga Titanium was distinguished by its 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 R19 tyres, leather seats, heated front seats, a satellite navigation system with a five-inch colour TFT display, bi-xenon headlights with washers, daytime front LED running lights and rear LED tail-lights, front parking sensors, a reversing camera, keyless entry, powered panoramic glass roof, power folding mirrors, a hands-free powered tailgate, stainless steel scuff plates and ambient lighting. The Kuga Titanium was fitted with Active Park Assist which provided automated steering of the vehicle for parallel parking, such that the driver only needed to control the speed of the vehicle.

SYNC Applink

From October 2014, the TF Kuga was fitted with Ford’s ‘SYNC Applink’ which enabled drivers to use steering wheel mounted buttons and voice control to access compatible iOS or Android smartphone apps such as Pandora Internet Radio, Omny and Club Connect.

Brochures

• Brochure: Ford TF.I Kuga (November 2013)
• Brochure: Ford TF.I Kuga (May 2014)

Related links

• Specifications: Ford TF Kuga (April 2013)
• Press Kit: Ford TF Kuga (April 2013)

Review: Ford TF.II Kuga (2014-16)

Overview

Released in Australia in December 2014, the Ford TF Mk.II (TF.II) Kuga introduced an expanded range with:

• More fuel-efficient 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engines, replacing the 1.6-litre units;
• New 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines for the Kuga Trend and Titanium; and,
• More powerful 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines.

The full Ford TF.II Kuga range is given in the table below.

Features

Compared to their TF.I predecessors, standard features for the Ford TF.II Kuga Trend and Titanium were extended to include digital (DAB+) radio.

December 2015 update

In December 2015, standard features for the Ford TF.II Kuga range were enhanced:

• For the Kuga Ambiente, standard features were extended to include a digital radio tuner (DAB+), a 4.2-inch colour centre screen and a 4.2-inch colour instrument panel, the latter previously limited to the Trend and Titanium;
• The Kuga Ambiente and Trend fitted with a reversing camera (previously limited to the Kuga Titanium);
• The Kuga Trend also gained satellite navigation with live traffic updates (previously limited to the Kuga Titanium);
• The Kuga Trend and Titanium were fitted with Ford’s ‘SYNC2’ connectivity system which included an eight-inch high-resolution colour touch screen. SYNC2 could turn Wi-Fi enabled smartphones into an Internet access point for passengers and enabled voice control of phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems; and,
• For the Kuga Titanium, the panoramic roof was revised to provide better ventilation and could be operated remotely by using the key fob.

May 2016 update

In May 2016, standard features for the Kuga Ambiente were extended to include Ford’s ‘SYNC2’ connectivity system – which included an eight-inch touch screen and voice-controlled satellite navigation – and dual-zone climate control air conditioning.

Brochure

• Brochure: Ford TF.II Kuga (June 2015)

Related links

• Ford Australia: Ford Kuga
• Wikipedia.org: Ford Mk.2 Kuga

Recalls: Ford Mk.1 Kuga

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: Ford Mk.1 Kuga

No recall information is available for the Ford TE Kuga. To search for recalls of Ford models, please visit Product Safety Recalls Australia: Ford.

Problems and faults: Ford Mk.1 Kuga

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

B5254T3 engine: PCV diaphragm rupture

For the Ford Kuga’s 2.5-litre B5254T3 turbocharged petrol engine, the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) diaphragm – located in the oil filter housing – may rupture. Symptoms of a ruptured PCV diaphragm include:

• A whining/whistling noise that increases with engine speed, yet stops when the dipstick is removed (since removing the dipstick releases back pressure, see video below);
• A lack of boost pressure in low gears;
• Excessive oil consumption;
• Blue smoke from the exhaust; and,
• Illumination of the engine warning light.

To fix,the air filter housing assembly needs to be removed; Sometimes, the breather hose from the assembly to the block may be damaged and also require replacement. It is understood that Ford subsequently introduced an uprated diaphragm.

B5254T3 engine: cracked cylinder liners

The Ford Kuga’s 2.5-litre B5254T3 turbocharged engine had an open deck block and steel cylinder liners that were press-fitted into the block. For the B5254T3 engine, however, there have been rare cases of cracked cylinder liners (also known as sleeves). Symptoms of cracked cylinder liners include:

• Misfire when cold;
• Loss of coolant;
• Excessive white smoke; and,
• Rough running on start-up.

Engines that have been modified for greater power are considered more vulnerable to cracked cylinder liners (particularly beyond 240 kW); it has also been suggested that cracked cylinder liners were most common for pre-April 2008 engines, though AustralianCar.Reviews has not been able to verify this.

B5254T3 engine: solenoid boost valve

For the Ford Kuga’s 2.5-litre B5254T3 turbocharged petrol engine, the solenoid boost valve is susceptible to failure. If there is a lack of performance and the boost gauge boost doesn’t go beyond a quarter of the dial, this is indicative of a failed solenoid boost valve. If the valve is operating properly, the dial on the boost pressure gauge should go beyond halfway before settling down in the middle.

Recalls: Ford Mk.2 Kuga

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: Ford Mk.2 Kuga

2012-14 Ford Kuga 1.6T: cracked cylinder head and oil leak

In March 2017, a recall was issued for Ford Kuga vehicles that had 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines and were manufactured from 16 December 2012 to 2 July 2014. In these vehicles, a lack of coolant circulation could cause localised overheating of the engine cylinder head; in turn, this could cause the cylinder head to crack and leak oil. Furthermore, the oil could ignite and cause a fire in the engine compartment. Until the recall works could be carried out, Ford advised owners to maintain the level of coolant in their vehicle; in the event of overheating or a coolant leak, the vehicle should be taken to a Ford dealer for diagnosis and repair (PRA 2017/16003).It is understood that recalled vehicles will undergo a software update and have the cylinder head checked for damage.

2012-14 Ford TF Kuga: fire hazard from seatbelt pre-tensioner

In August 2017, a recall was issued for Ford TF Kuga vehicles that were manufactured from 11 December 2012 to 19 June 2014. In the event of a collision which caused the front seatbelt retractor pre-tensioner to deploy, the insulation material on the inner face of the lower ‘B’ pillar trim could be subjected to a concentrated heat source that could cause it to ignite – this would pose a fire hazard to the vehicle’s occupants. For the VINs of the recalled Ford Kuga vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16272.

2012-16 Ford TF Kuga with manual transmission: clutch may overheat

In May 2018, recall campaign 18S07 was issued for Ford Kuga vehicles that had manual transmissions and were manufactured from 16 December 2012 to 24 June 2016. In these vehicles, the clutch assembly may overheat as a result of excessive clutch slip – this could cause the clutch pressure to crack, in turn damaging the transmission assembly and allowing transmission fluid to leak. For the VINs of the recalled Ford Kuga vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16755.

2016 Ford TF Kuga: driver’s knee airbag and/or side airbags may not deploy

In May 2018, recall campaign 17S06 was issued for Ford Kuga vehicles that were built on 29 July 2016. In these vehicles, the airbag initiators within the driver’s knee airbag and/or side airbag modules may be defective. In the event of a collision, the driver’s knee airbag and/or side airbags may therefore not deploy, and this would increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled Ford Kuga vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16754.

2014-15 Ford Kuga: engine overheating and oil leak

In August 2018, a recall was issued for Ford Kuga vehicles that were manufactured from 13 December 2014 to 25 September 2015. In these vehicles, the engine could overheat – this could cause an oil leak and lead to a loss of engine oil. Furthermore, this oil could leak onto the road and create a slippery surface that posed a hazard for other road users. For the VINs of the recalled Ford Kuga vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16892.

Problems and faults: Ford Mk.2 Kuga

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

Problems and faults: Ford Mk.2 Kuga

No troubleshooting information is currently available for the Ford Mk.2 Kuga.

Released in February 2012, the Ford Mk.1 Kuga was a mid-size, all-wheel drive SUV. Manufactured in Saarlouis, Germany, the Kuga was powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, the Kuga range consisted of Trend and Titanium variants… Read full Ford Mk.1 Kuga review

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_01

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_02

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_03

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_04

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_05

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_06

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_07

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_08

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_09

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_10

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_11

ford_kuga_mk1_ser1_12

Released in May 2013, the Ford Mk.2 Kuga was a mid-size SUV. Manufactured in Valencia, Spain, the Mk.2 Kuga was initially available in front- and all-wheel drive models with 1.6-litre ‘EcoBoost’ petrol and 2.0-litre ‘Duratorq TDCi’ turbo-diesel engines…. Read full Ford Mk.2 Kuga review

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_01

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_02

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_03

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_04

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_05

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_06

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_07

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_08

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_09

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_10

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_11

ford_kuga_mk2_ser1_12

Images: Ford TF.II Kuga (2014-16)

Released in Australia in December 2014, the Ford TF Mk.II (TF.II) Kuga introduced an expanded range with more fuel-efficient 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engines, new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines (for the Kuga Trend and Titanium) and more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines.

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_01

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_02

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_03

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_04

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_05

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_06

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_07

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_08

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_09

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_10

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_11

ford_kuga_mk2_ser2_12

Euro NCAP: Ford Mk.2 Kuga crash testing

In Euro NCAP testing, the Mk.2 Kuga received a five star safety rating which included a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per cent child occupant protection rating. For more information about this test, please see the Euro NCAP website. Videos are provided with the permission of Euro NCAP.

Ford of Europe: Intelligent AWD system

Ford of Europe: hands-free automatic tailgate

Drive.com.au: 2013 Mazda KE CX-5 Maxx Sport Diesel vs Ford TF Kuga Trend TDCi

CarBuyer: Ford Mk.2 Kuga review

Note

Please note that these videos are applicable to vehicles as they are supplied to their respective markets. As such, the features, prices and performance of the vehicles in these videos may differ from those which are supplied in Australia.

AutoExpress: Ford Mk.2 Kuga review

RPM TV: 2013 Ford TF Kuga 2.0 TDCI Titanium

RPM TV: 2014 Ford TF Kuga 2.0 TDCi Titanium AWD

Drive: 2015 Ford TF.II Kuga Titanium

Euro NCAP: Ford Mk.1 Kuga crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing, the Mk.1 Kuga received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.69 out of 37. Videos are provided with the permission of Euro NCAP; for more information about this test, please go to the Euro NCAP website.

RPM TV: 2012 Ford TE Kuga 2.5T Titanium

Note

Please note these videos are applicable to vehicles as they are supplied to their respective markets. As such, the features, prices and performance of the vehicles in these videos may differ from those which are supplied in Australia.

Carbuyer: Ford Mk.1 Kuga review

What Car? Ford Mk.1 Kuga reviewed