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Ford Ka+ problems (2016–2020)

The only engine of the Ford Ka+ that we have documented, the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «Buy».[1]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, according to the fiches-auto.fr fiche (only 23 testimonials), the Ka+ has a campaign for the battery management system and isolated cases of clutch and manual gearbox faults; the database is very small.[2][3]

Ford Ka+ (2016–2020)
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468108.5out of 10

Ford Ka+ rating: good reliability

Calculated using only 3 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine9.31 fault
  • Gearbox9.31 fault
  • Suspension7.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering7.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system8.61 fault
  • Headlights and lights5.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Ford Ka+

  1. 1Medium severity: 12 V battery charge management system fault (campaign 19S21)Electrical system
  2. 2Medium severity: Clutch and manual gearbox: early failures, noises and difficult reverse gearGearbox and clutch
  3. 3Low severity: Misfires from coils or spark plugs1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT engine

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

1 recall or campaign documented, the latest: Campaign 19S21: battery charge monitoring system (BMS). See the campaigns for the Ford Ka+

4 sourcesHow we work

1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT

Ford 1.25, 1.4 and 1.6 Ti-VCT (familia Sigma/Zetec-SE/Duratec) · Petrol

In the Ka+
2016–2020[1][4]
Names
1.2 Ti-VCT 70 · 1.2 Ti-VCT 85
Faults that affect it
1
Risk index on this car
7
Low risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.2 Ti-VCT 70/85 hp, 1,196 cc (Ford Ka+)2016–2020 · 70–85 hp

    Buy

    Gebrauchtwagenberater states that «neither the four-cylinder nor the three-cylinder gives any known serious problems» in the Ka+, with a simple design that keeps repair costs low.[1]

Faults that affect the Ka+

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT has 4 documented faults in total.

  1. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionMisfires from coils or spark plugsThere are documented cases of ignition coils replaced several times on the Ford Focus II (1.6 Ti-VCT) and of spark plugs changed at 60,000 km on the Ford Fiesta 1.25, which points to earlier-than-expected ignition system wear on some units.Appears at around 60,000 km

Ka+ 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT pageAll versions and faults of the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT

Faults of the Ford Ka+ outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Ford Ka+

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 1,185 inspections of 600 cars registered between 2016 and 2020, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 2.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.4%.

    Average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1%.

    Average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 20.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 11.7%.

    More defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.1%.

    Average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 4.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.6%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 18.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 15.5%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Ford Ka+

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT (2016–2020)

Misfires from coils or spark plugs

Low severity

Wear parts for the Ford Ka+

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Ford Ka+?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Ford Ka+? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ford Ka+ reliable?

The only engine of the Ford Ka+ that we have documented, the 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «Buy». Outside the engine, according to the fiches-auto.fr fiche (only 23 testimonials), the Ka+ has a campaign for the battery management system and isolated cases of clutch and manual gearbox faults; the database is very small.

What problems does the Ford Ka+ have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, according to the fiches-auto.fr fiche (only 23 testimonials), the Ka+ has a campaign for the battery management system and isolated cases of clutch and manual gearbox faults; the database is very small. The most important documented faults are: 12 V battery charge management system fault (campaign 19S21) (electrical system, medium severity) and clutch and manual gearbox: early failures, noises and difficult reverse gear (gearbox and clutch, medium severity).[2][3]

What faults does the Ford Ka+ have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: misfires from coils or spark plugs (1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT, low severity).

What is the best year to buy a Ford Ka+?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2020 and 2016 (8.9/10); the worst rated is 2017 (8.5/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Ford Ka+ have recalls?

Yes: we have documented one campaign for the Ford Ka+, such as campaign 19S21: battery charge monitoring system (BMS) (2019). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[2]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Ford Ka+ (2016-2020): typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  2. Tous les problèmes sur Ford KA PLUS 2016-2020 (23 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  3. Ford Ka+Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  4. Ford KaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026