The Ford Puma is a relaunch of an old model, but instead of a sporty 2-door coupe, the new one is a crossover-style SUV, to cater to a modern market. The Puma borrows many of its underpinnings from the outgoing Fiesta, but is it as reliable as the Fiestas of old?

In this guide, we take a look at any common problems with the Puma, and its overall reliability. We’ll cover:

• Is the Ford Puma Reliable?
• Ford Puma Recalls
• Ecoboost Engine Issues
• Ford Puma Overheating
• Is the Ford Puma Worth It?

Is the Ford Puma Reliable?

Overall, the Puma scores quite well on reliability charts, with a score of 90% on WhatCar?’s survey; that said, it placed near the bottom in their small–SUV ratings, placing 17 out of 22.

Thankfully, most issues were resolved pretty quickly, but reports ranged across most aspects of the car, from engine issues to electrical and build quality. 

Ford Puma Recalls

A manufacturer recall is when a defect with the design or manufacturing of the car is detected, forcing them to offer a free remedial service via main dealer garages. The Ford Puma has had a number of recalls since its introduction in 2019.

To check if your car has been recalled, enter your VIN number on the Ford recall checker.

Airbag Spring Issue

Part of the assembly that holds the driver's airbag to the steering wheel was found to be faulty. The remedy is pretty simple but vital: a new spring is fitted to the assembly at a Ford dealership.

Around 24,000 vehicles were affected by this issue, so be sure to check if your car is one of them.

eCall Software Issue

eCall is Ford's automatic emergency services telephone system, which sends your location to the emergency services in the event of a serious accident. A software update at the main dealer is all that's needed to resolve this issue. Thankfully, only around 100 cars were affected.

Damaged Engine Oil Separator

An oil separator is part of the engine's PCV system, something that helps to reduce harmful emissions from the engine by recirculating them through the engine. An issue was detected across many Ford vehicles, including the Puma, Fiesta and more. 

The issue came about from a damaged batch of Oil Separators that were fitted to around 9,800 Pumas. The fix involves checking for damage and replacing if necessary.

Hybrid Battery Terminals

On some Hybrid Pumas, it was noticed that the battery terminals on the hybrid battery system were not tightened to the correct torque level, potentially giving rise to them loosening over time. 

This one was a very easy fix for the Ford mechanics, and only affected around 430 cars, so whilst it isn’t a huge concern, you should still be sure to check if your car has had the recall work done.

Ford Puma EcoBoost Issues

Almost every Puma available in the UK is fitted with an EcoBoost petrol engine, which is most likely due to its high fuel economy and respectable power figures. However, the Ford EcoBoosts used to be somewhat infamous for their reliability issues.

The main problem in the UK with EcoBoost engines is caused by the wet cambelt design, however, the Puma uses the redesigned EcoBoost engine with a timing chain instead. Although the oil pump is still driven by a wet belt. 

You can read more about the issues with the wet belt here. In short, the belt can cause issues with the oil supply to the engine, so make sure you select a car that has a full service history.

Ford Puma Overheating Issues

Some owners have reported overheating issues with their Puma, something that can lead to serious engine damage if left untreated. Most owners find the issue presents at higher RPMs. Symptoms include a high temperature on the gauge and a lack of hot air from the car's heater. 

The cause of the fault lies with an electric valve between the coolant hoses and the heater matrix. This causes a restriction in the flow of coolant around the engine.

Is the Ford Puma Worth it?

The Puma offers a good compromise between style, compactness for city driving and an elevated SUV driving position. If these features are important, and you can secure a car with a great service history, the Puma is definitely worth considering.

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Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.