European crossovers are often practical, well-thought-out and very well-tuned vehicles. But, alas, they also have technical problems, and some models have a whole collection of them. We have compiled a list of the 5 most unreliable SUVs from the EU, produced from 2000 to the mid-2010s.
Ford Kuga
Main problems: capricious engines and unreliable robotic gearbox, poor body sealing
Ford Kuga, despite the American origin of the brand, is a European product. The SUV was developed by the European division of the company, production was established in Germany, and the presentation of the model took place at the Frankfurt Motor Show. But this, alas, did not save Kuga from many problems.
So, the only sane gasoline engine in the lineup is the powerful 200-horsepower turbo engine. The unit was taken from Volvo and can please with a solid resource - up to 450,000 kilometers. But it can also seriously upset you - with turbine failures at low mileage, problems with crankcase ventilation and ignition modules.
The alternative is a two-liter diesel engine with French roots. It can last about 350,000 kilometers, but much earlier you can encounter a breakdown of capricious injectors. Hydraulic lifters here love the original oil, otherwise they can start knocking already at 100,000 kilometers.
With regular washing from below and cleaning hidden cavities, the Kuga is not at risk of corrosion, but an ill-conceived body design can cause problems with the electrical installation. The main problems begin with poor sealing of the windshield niche - clogged channels lead to water getting on the control units. Even a small amount of moisture can damage the electrical system under the hood. The generator is also not very reliable. The wiring in its lower part suffers from exposure to water and reagents.
Unfortunately, that's not all, because the diesel Kuga can be ordered with a PowerShift dual-clutch transmission. Its main problem is the unreliable clutch damper. The “Robot“ also suffers from rapid oil contamination: clutch wear products clog the hydraulic unit channels and deactivate the solenoids.