Ford Puma common problems: known faults and repair costs

The Ford 1.0 EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine fitted to the Puma shares a known issue with its positive crankcase ventilation system that affects the wider EcoBoost family across multiple Ford models. The oil separator is a plastic component that traps oil mist from crankcase blow-by gases before they are recirculated into the intake. Over time the separator can crack or fail, allowing oil mist to pass freely into the intake tract, intercooler, and inlet manifold. This coats the intake components in an oily film and can cause rough idle, slight oil consumption, and occasional EML illumination from intake-related sensors. The repair is straightforward but the part needs periodic inspection on higher-mileage EcoBoost engines.

Typical repair cost: Oil separator replacement: £150 to £350 including parts and labour.

The Ford Puma features a clever MegaBox storage compartment built into the boot floor beneath the main load area, which can hold up to 80 litres and even be filled with water for washing boots. The MegaBox has a drain plug in its base that allows it to be emptied. The issue reported by many owners is that the drain plug can work loose or fall out entirely, leaving the compartment permanently open to drainage in normal use. When this happens, rainwater can pool in the MegaBox if the plug is missing. On some cars, prolonged water pooling without drainage has led to mould or unpleasant smells. This is a practical concern rather than a mechanical fault.

Typical repair cost: Replacement drain plug: low cost, often under £10. Professional mould remediation if contamination has developed: varies.

The Ford Puma mHEV uses a 48V belt integrated starter-generator (BISG) that replaces the conventional alternator and provides mild hybrid assistance during acceleration and regenerative braking during deceleration. Some Puma mHEV owners have reported a hesitation or roughness when the engine restarts after a stop-start event, or fault codes relating to the 48V mild hybrid system. In many cases the issue is resolved by a Ford software update, which Ford has issued on multiple occasions to refine the BISG integration and stop-start calibration. Out-of-warranty BISG hardware replacement is considerably more expensive.

Typical repair cost: Software update: free under warranty or at low cost at a Ford dealer. BISG unit replacement out of warranty: £600 to £1,200.

The Ford Puma is equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) that operates the rear calipers via an integrated motor mechanism. On cars used predominantly for short urban trips, the rear brake discs are not used hard enough to prevent surface corrosion from building up, and the EPB mechanism can cause the caliper pistons to stick in a slightly applied position. This manifests as a dragging sensation, uneven brake wear, increased brake dust on the rear wheels, and in more pronounced cases, a pulling sensation to one side under braking. The calipers may also stick fully on in cold or wet conditions after overnight parking.

Typical repair cost: Caliper service (clean, lubricate, and free): £100 to £250 per axle. Rear caliper replacement: £200 to £400 per caliper.

Ford's SYNC 3 infotainment system as fitted to the Puma is generally competent but has a known tendency to freeze, become slow to respond to touch inputs, or lose saved settings after an engine restart on some software versions. This is not unique to the Puma and affects multiple Ford models running SYNC 3. Ford has released several over-the-air (OTA) updates that address specific freezing and performance issues, and most complaints about SYNC 3 behaviour can be resolved by ensuring the system is running the latest software version. In a small number of cases the infotainment module itself requires replacement.

Typical repair cost: Software update: free via OTA update or at a Ford dealer. Infotainment module replacement if hardware is faulty: varies, typically £300 to £700.