Jerking 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.

- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.2 / 2.4 / 3.2 TDCi (Puma)EGR valve and EGR cooler faults on the 2.2 TDCiThe sources point to the EGR valve (jerking from around 50,000 km, according to CarVerif) and the EGR cooler (coolant leaking into the oil, according to AutoTrader) as weak points of the 2.2; on the Transit, Haynes cites faults with the EGR valve and hoses.
In Ranger, Tourneo Custom, Transit VI-VII, Transit and Transit Custom
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.2 HDiPiezo injector wear and failureThe 2.2 HDi uses third-generation common-rail injection with piezo injectors at up to 1,800-2,000 bar. Fiches-auto documents injector cases across several power outputs, without it being the most repeated fault, with symptoms of hard starting, jerking or higher fuel consumption.
In Mondeo IV
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.8 TDCiDelphi injector failure (leaks, cracks or poor spray pattern)The 1.8 TDCi's Delphi injectors can crack, drip or spray diesel poorly over time, causing hard starting, smoke and jerking. It is a recurring fault, documented from 45,000 km in the Focus and up to 130,000 km in the Mondeo.Appears at around 45,000 km
In C-Max I, Focus I, Focus II, Galaxy II, Mondeo III and Mondeo IV and 2 more models
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.6 HDiDirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaksThe 1.6 HDi EGR valve gets dirty easily, especially in town use, and causes jerking and stalling at idle. On the 8V engines the EGR cooler also fails, consuming coolant with no visible leaks.
In B-Max, C-Max I, C-Max II, Fiesta VII, Focus II and Focus III and 1 more model
- 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, Focus III and Transit Connect
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 HDiEGR valve blocked by sootThe 2.0 HDi's EGR valve gets coated in soot and sticks, especially on the 107/120 and 136/138 hp versions; it causes jerking, limp mode and the engine warning light, although it can usually be solved by cleaning it.Repair (garage): €200–€350
In C-Max II and Focus III
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord Fiesta VClutch and gearbox wear, more pronounced on the Durashift ESTThe Fiesta V's clutch and manual gearbox wear fairly often across the range -- 20 clutch cases and 14 gearbox cases out of 237 reports -- a problem that gebrauchtwagenberater.de says is especially marked on the automated Durashift EST version.
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.0 EcoBoostMisfires and engine warning light caused by the wiring harnessFord documented in a technical service bulletin that the engine wiring harness can rub against the exhaust heat shield on the 2018-2019 automatic EcoSport, which turns on the engine warning light with misfire fault codes. Spark plugs and coils are also common wear items on this turbocharged three-cylinder.
In C-Max II, EcoSport, Fiesta VIII, Focus III, Focus IV and Puma and 3 more models
- Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCTMisfires 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
In B-Max, C-Max I, C-Max II, EcoSport, Fiesta VII and Focus II and 2 more models
- Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 8v FireFaulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)The 1.2 8v Fire's ignition coil can fail and switch on the engine warning light, with rough running; there is one documented case replaced at 40,000 km in the Fiat 500. It is one of the issues that recurs most in the sources consulted for this engine, though always in a minority of cases.
In Ka II

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

Jerking in a Ford: what could it be?

In 27 models from Ford there are 10 documented faults that cause this symptom (jerking). The most important: EGR valve and EGR cooler faults on the 2.2 TDCi, piezo injector wear and failure and delphi injector failure (leaks, cracks or poor spray pattern). 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 (5 faults), Ford Focus III (5 faults), Ford C-Max I (3 faults) and Ford Focus II (3 faults).

Which Ford engines cause it?

1.6 HDi (2 faults), 1.0 EcoBoost (1 fault), 1.2 8v Fire (1 fault), 1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCT (1 fault) and 1.8 TDCi (1 fault).