Ford Kuga Ireland Buyer's Guide: Diesel, Hybrid or Plug-in, Motor Tax and the Recalls to Check

The Ford Kuga has been one of the most familiar family SUVs on Irish roads for well over a decade, which means the used market is full of them. But three generations, four kinds of engine and two different tax systems mean two Kugas from the same year can cost very different money to own.

This guide covers what changed between generations, what each version costs to tax, the recalls that apply to Irish cars (with the Irish numbers), and what to check before you hand over any money.

Which Kuga you are looking at

First generation, 2008 to 2012. Mostly 2.0 TDCi diesels, many of them four-wheel drive. These are now old cars, and the tax on the four-wheel-drive versions is high.

Second generation, 2013 to 2019. The bulk of the used supply. The 2.0 TDCi diesel came in several outputs, in front- or four-wheel drive, with a manual or a dual-clutch automatic. A 1.5 TDCi and 1.5 EcoBoost petrol arrived with the 2017 facelift.

Third generation, 2020 on. Lower, longer and more car-like. In Ireland it launched with a 1.5 EcoBlue diesel (manual only) and a 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid. A self-charging 2.5 Hybrid (FHEV) followed in 2021. Every automatic in this generation is a hybrid.

Motor tax, version by version

A Kuga first registered in Ireland between July 2008 and December 2020 is taxed for life on its NEDC CO2 figure. One registered from January 2021 is taxed on WLTP. For an import, the date it was first registered anywhere decides which table applies.

• 2011 2.0 TDCi four-wheel drive, 159 g/km NEDC: band D, €600 a year.
• 2013 2.0 TDCi 163hp four-wheel drive, 154 g/km NEDC: band C, €400.
• 2017 2.0 TDCi 180hp four-wheel drive, 135 g/km NEDC: band B2, €280.
• 2020 Plug-in Hybrid, 32 g/km NEDC: band A1, €170.
• 2021-on 1.5 EcoBlue diesel, 127 to 137 g/km WLTP: €200 to €210, depending on trim and wheels.
• 2.5 Hybrid (FHEV), 123 to 132 g/km WLTP: €200 for most trims, €210 for the Vignale at 132 g/km.
• 2021-on Plug-in Hybrid, 22 to 24 g/km WLTP: €140, the second-lowest rate there is.

The gap at the top is the story. An older four-wheel-drive diesel can cost €400 to €600 a year to tax; a newer plug-in costs €140. Over three years of ownership, €600 against €140 is €1,380. Read the CO2 on the car's own registration certificate, not the figure in the advert.

Recalls to check, with Irish numbers

All of these come from official recall notices. Every one is free at a Ford dealer, and the dealer can tell you from the VIN in a few minutes whether the work has been done on that particular car.

Plug-in Hybrid battery (2020). In August 2020 Ford halted Kuga PHEV deliveries after battery overheating incidents. 329 cars in Ireland were affected at the time.

Plug-in Hybrid battery cells (built August 2019 to November 2023). A defect in one or more high-voltage battery cells can cause an internal short circuit, with a risk of fire and loss of drive. 2,712 vehicles in Ireland (recall notice April 2025).

Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid engine damage (Kuga built July 2019 to April 2023). Engine damage can rupture the oil tank or engine block and create a fire risk. 1,168 vehicles in Ireland across Kuga, Galaxy and S-Max (March 2024).

Engine guard and grille shutter (built August 2019 to June 2022). A broken piston rod can let oil collect in the lower engine guard near the catalytic converter. The fix modifies the guard and the active grille shutter. 847 vehicles in Ireland (January 2024).

2.0 diesel overheating detection (built July 2014 to October 2015). Some 2.0 Duratorq diesels may not detect overheating, which can lead to an oil leak from the sump. A software update adds a warning light and reduced power. 2,354 vehicles in Ireland across six Ford models (January 2024).

Steering box (built January to November 2021). A loose pin can stop the steering wheel returning to centre and, in the worst case, separate the pinion shaft from the rack. 222 vehicles in Ireland (December 2023).

If the car you are looking at is a third-generation hybrid or plug-in, assume at least two of these apply and ask for proof they were done.

The gearbox question on a second-generation Kuga

The 2013 to 2019 Kuga was offered with a PowerShift dual-clutch automatic, and independent Irish motoring experts advise avoiding it where possible because of its record of faults. If you need an automatic on a budget, look for a manual-gearbox car instead, or move up to a third-generation hybrid, whose automatic is an e-CVT with no clutch packs at all.

If you do look at a PowerShift car, drive it from cold, in slow traffic and on hills. Hesitation, juddering when pulling away, or clunks between first and second are reasons to walk away.

Diesel, Hybrid or Plug-in?

The 1.5 EcoBlue diesel suits high-mileage motorway drivers. It is manual-only, and a diesel that only does short town runs is a diesel particulate filter problem waiting to happen.

The 2.5 Hybrid is the sensible default for mixed Irish driving: €200 a year to tax on most trims, an automatic gearbox, and no plug to worry about.

The Plug-in Hybrid makes sense only if you can charge at home. Its 14.4 kWh battery is good for around 50 km of real electric driving, and a full charge from a standard socket takes under six hours. Charged every night, it covers most commutes on electricity. Left unplugged, it is a heavier, dearer petrol car.

What to look at on the car itself

• Recall status from a Ford dealer, using the VIN.
• The CO2 figure and first registration date on the registration certificate.
• On a second-generation automatic: a long test drive, from cold, in traffic.
• On a diesel: what kind of driving it has done. Short trips only is a warning sign.
• On a Plug-in: both charging cables present, and that it charges on a home socket.
• Service history that shows the recall work, not just oil changes.

What they cost

Used Kuga prices move week to week, and generation, drivetrain, mileage and service history move them far more than the year on the plate. A third-generation hybrid with its recall work documented is worth paying more for. Compare current listings on ecosteer.ie, where motor tax and battery details sit on the listing.

The short version

• Older four-wheel-drive diesels cost €400 to €600 a year to tax. A 2021-on plug-in costs €140.
• Third-generation hybrids and plug-ins have several recalls. Check every one by VIN at a Ford dealer.
• Avoid the second-generation PowerShift automatic if you can.
• The 2.5 Hybrid is the safest all-rounder. The plug-in only pays if you charge it.
• Read the registration certificate, not the advert.