UK Vehicle Recall Check
The Kuga is Ford's biggest UK SUV and the subject of one of the most prominent UK PHEV recall campaigns of recent years — the Mk3 plug-in hybrid battery action that ran from 2020 to 2023.
Enter the vehicle's UK registration to begin.
Our combined check pulls the DVSA recall database, the SMMT manufacturer feed and the DVLA recall archive going back to 1992, so where a recall exists you get the live outstanding status, the recall description and every past campaign for the same model in one place.
The UK government's official recall register. Confirms whether a recall is outstanding for the vehicle.
Industry data from vehicle manufacturers. Typically includes the recall description, not just a flag.
Every UK recall campaign issued since 1992. Surfaces the historical campaigns for the same make and model alongside the live status.
The Kuga PHEV recall is one of the most-discussed UK recall campaigns of the last five years. Affected plug-in cars were initially told not to fully charge the high-voltage battery while Ford developed a fix, and a battery-cell replacement programme followed. Many cars have since been repaired, but a meaningful number — particularly those that changed hands during the recall window — still have outstanding work against the VIN. Beyond the PHEV action, Kugas have been included in the 1.0 EcoBoost cylinder-head campaign and several smaller actions. The combined DVSA + SMMT check returns the current status.
The recall check is run against the vehicle's VIN, so every UK generation is covered regardless of age. The list below is for reference.
Mk1
2008–2012
Mk2
2012–2019
Mk3
2019–present
Subject to the high-profile 2020–2023 PHEV battery recall and "do not fully charge" instruction.
A non-exhaustive editorial summary of recent UK safety campaigns. Run a check to see whether any of these apply to a specific vehicle.
Mk3 Kuga PHEV battery cell replacement programme — final phase of the 2020 campaign where high-voltage battery cells with potential to short and overheat are replaced free of charge.
Plug-in hybrid battery cells with potential to short and overheat, triggering a UK-wide recall and a temporary instruction not to fully charge the vehicle.
1.0 EcoBoost cylinder-head campaign on Mk2 Kuga cars built with that engine — same action as the Fiesta and Focus.
Mk3 Kuga PHEV battery campaign launched. Ford initially advised affected owners not to fully charge the battery pending a fix; cell-replacement work followed.
DVLA-recorded safety recalls affecting the Ford Kuga. Showing the most recent 20 matching entries — run a check on a specific registration to confirm whether any recall is outstanding for that vehicle.
| Date | Model | Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2027 | KUGA | 25C79 Kuga - Powertrain Control Module Software Update |
| May 2026 | KUGA | Multi Vehicle Line (MVL): Telecommunications Control Module (TCU) loss of Function Software Update |
| Apr 2026 | KUGA | 26S10 - Kuga Ranger - Potential Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Failure |
| Nov 2025 | KUGA | 25SC4 Kuga - Do not charge high voltage battery to levels above 80% |
| Sept 2025 | KUGA | 25S61 – Kuga – Cylinder head replacement |
| Sept 2025 | KUGA | CrossCar: Sync3 Rear-View Camera Software Update |
| Jul 2025 | KUGA | 25S54 Kuga S-Max and Galaxy - Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Software Update |
| May 2025 | KUGA | 25S21 Kuga - Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Software Update |
| Apr 2025 | KUGA | 25S16 Kuga PHEV - Powertrain Control Module Software Update |
| Dec 2024 | KUGA | X-Car Powertain Control Module (PCM) Software Update |
| Jun 2024 | KUGA PHEV | 24S33 – Kuga 2.5L PHEV supercreep |
| Mar 2024 | KUGA | 24S16 - Kuga - PCM Programming and Drain Tube Installation |
| Feb 2024 | KUGA | 23S27 Kuga S-Max/Galaxy 2.5L HEV/PHEV Engine: Engine Compartment Issue |
| Feb 2024 | KUGA | 23S57 Kuga - Steering gear top plug potentially loose |
| Mar 2023 | KUGA | In the event of a fuel injector failing this will potentially cause a fuel leak. |
| Feb 2023 | KUGA | A small number of vehicles may be fitted with tyres that do not meet the high specification expected. |
| Nov 2022 | KUGA | Some Kuga vehicles with a panoramic roof may have a fixed glass panel with poor adhesion to the roof frame assembly |
| Oct 2022 | KUGA | LOWER SEATBELT BOLT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION |
| Jul 2022 | KUGA | THE eCALL FEATURE WILL STOP FUNCTIONING DUE TO A MALFUNCTION |
| Jul 2022 | KUGA PHEV | INTERNAL FAULT WITH ONE OF THE BATTERY ARRAYS MAY CAUSE OVERHEATING |
Every Ford check returns the same structured response. Below are two examples. One with a recall outstanding, and one with a clear record.
1 recall found. Contact the manufacturer or a main dealer to arrange a free repair.
Vehicle
AB21ABC
Ford Kuga
VIN ABCDE123456F78910
Recall details
Checked 17/05/2026, 10:00:00 (source: SMMT)
Both the DVSA and SMMT databases were checked. Nothing currently outstanding for this VRM.
Vehicle
CD22XYZ
Ford Kuga
VIN ZYXWV987654U32109
Checked 17/05/2026, 10:00:00 (source: SMMT)
Type the UK registration of the vehicle you want to check.
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Combined DVSA + SMMT result appears in seconds and is emailed to you.
Pay as you go
£1.99
per check
No subscription. No account needed to start. Refund issued if a recall status can't be returned.
Enter the vehicle's registration mark (VRM) and pay £1.99. We query the DVSA recall database and the SMMT manufacturer feed in a single request and return the combined result. For most Ford Kuga vehicles you'll see whether a recall is outstanding, the source database, and (where available) a description of the recall.
DVSA (the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) maintains the UK government's official recall register and flags whether a recall is outstanding. SMMT (the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) aggregates manufacturer-supplied data which often includes the recall description as well as the outstanding flag. Combining both maximises coverage and detail.
Both DVSA and SMMT data sources are continually updated as manufacturers report new safety campaigns. Each check returns a timestamp showing when the data was last verified for that vehicle.
Some vehicles aren't currently listed in either database (very new registrations, very old vehicles, grey imports, and certain commercial variants are the usual reasons). When that happens we'll show "Unknown" and direct you to the manufacturer's recall portal so you can confirm directly. A refund is available if you'd like one.
Contact any authorised franchised dealer for the brand. Manufacturers carry out safety recalls free of charge, regardless of who currently owns the vehicle and regardless of age. You'll typically need the vehicle's VIN; the report includes it where the database returns one.
No account is needed to start a check. After payment we'll email you a magic link so you can access the report any time, and a shareable link if you want to send the result to a buyer, seller, or dealer.
Yes. If the VIN is still flagged with outstanding PHEV battery work, the report will show it. If the work has been completed by a Ford dealer and logged, it won't appear as outstanding.
Yes. The Kuga Hybrid (HEV, self-charging) is a different powertrain to the PHEV and was not part of the high-voltage battery recall. It is, however, covered by other Ford-issued Kuga recalls where applicable.
Yes. All Kuga trims share the same VIN format and recall coverage in the DVSA and SMMT databases.
No. Once Ford has logged the battery replacement against the VIN, the recall is marked as completed and won't appear as outstanding. If the report flags it, the work isn't yet recorded for this specific vehicle.
Combined DVSA + SMMT recall data for every UK-registered Ford.
Ford maintains an official recall lookup tool. Our combined check pulls from DVSA and SMMT to give you broader coverage, but you can also check the manufacturer's portal directly.
Combined DVSA + SMMT recall data for every UK-registered manufacturer.