Vibrations on Ford: causes by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Ford models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.5 EcoBoostCoolant loss through a microcrack in the engine block (4-cylinder 1.5)Yes: in the four-cylinder 1.5 EcoBoost there are cases of coolant loss attributed to a microcrack in the block that can force a new engine to be fitted. We have found no Ford campaign in Europe.
In C-Max II, Focus III, Galaxy III, Kuga II, Mondeo V and S-Max II
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.8 TDCiPremature wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutchYes, it is the most-cited fault of the 1.8 TDCi: the dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear out sooner than expected, with vibrations, metallic noises at idle and jerking. It appears repeatedly in the Focus, Mondeo and S-Max, sometimes from 70,000-80,000 km.Appears at around 70,000 km
In C-Max I, Focus I, Focus II, Galaxy II, Mondeo III and Mondeo IV and 2 more models
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0 HDiPremature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp)The dual-mass flywheel fitted to the 2.0 HDi from 107/110 hp wears out sooner than expected, with more cases the more powerful the version. It causes vibration, knocking and noise, and if ignored it ends up damaging the clutch too.
In C-Max II and Focus III
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Focus IIDual-mass flywheel and clutch wear on the dieselsOn the diesels, above all the 1.8 TDCi 115, the dual-mass flywheel wears out and can damage the clutch, with vibrations at idle, judders when engaging a gear and, occasionally, leaks in the pedal's hydraulic circuit.Repair (garage): €1,800–€2,850
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Kuga IIINoises, vibrations and loss of drive in the hybrid transmission (FHEV/PHEV)Some Kuga units with the hybrid (FHEV 2.5 190 hp) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV 2.5 225 hp) powertrain show noises, vibrations, error messages or loss of drive attributable to the hybrid transmission, with at least one case of complete replacement at 60,000 km.Appears at around 60,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.6 HDiJerking and injection faults on the 1.6 e-HDi 112/115 (Continental injectors)The 112 and 115 hp 1.6 HDi/e-HDi built between late 2011 and February 2014 can jerk and turn on the engine warning light because of an internal electrical defect in their Continental injectors. PSA covered their replacement depending on age and mileage.
In C-Max II and Focus III
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.3 MultijetEGR valve blocked by sootThe 1.3 Multijet's EGR valve easily accumulates soot on short urban journeys, causing an unstable idle, loss of power and the engine warning light. It is one of the most cited problems among owners of this engine.Repair (garage): €130–€400
In Ka II
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord Kuga IWheel bearing wearWheel bearings on the first-generation Kuga are cited as a weak point: rolling noise and play, sometimes at the rear axle and at low mileage, and the TÜV flags them as prone to wear.
- Medium severityFrequency: Rare1.4 HDiCrankshaft damper pulley wearThe crankshaft pulley incorporates a rubber ring that dampens engine vibrations and that can lose grip or crack over time. We have found only one specific report of this fault (a Peugeot 206 at around 250,000 km), so we do not consider it a widespread fault.
In Fiesta V, Fiesta VII and Fusion
- Medium severityFrequency: Rare2.2 HDiDual-mass flywheel wear, less frequent than on other HDi enginesThe 2.2 HDi has a dual-mass flywheel but, unlike smaller HDi engines such as the 1.6 HDi, fiches-auto does not document a chronic problem: very few cases in the tables consulted. Even so, it is a wear part: vibration and knocking are the signs to watch for before buying.
In Mondeo IV

By Ford model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

Vibrations in a Ford: what could it be?

In 20 models from Ford there are 10 documented faults that cause this symptom (vibrations). The most important: coolant loss through a microcrack in the engine block (4-cylinder 1.5), premature wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch and premature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the cause and how to check for it.

Which Ford models have the most faults with this symptom?

Ford C-Max II (3 faults), Ford Focus III (3 faults), Ford Focus II (2 faults) and Ford Mondeo IV (2 faults).

Which Ford engines cause it?

1.3 Multijet (1 fault), 1.4 HDi (1 fault), 1.5 EcoBoost (1 fault), 1.6 HDi (1 fault) and 1.8 TDCi (1 fault).