Ford B-MAX Mk1 common faults.

2012–2018. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

Crankshaft pulley: the rubber layer of the vibration damper separates

expensive

The accessory pulley of the crankshaft is also a vibration damper: there is a layer of rubber between the outer and the inner part.

Applies to the engine IQJA, IQJC.

IB5 manual: worn synchros and differential bearings in the larger models

expensive

In the smaller models, the Fiesta, the Fusion and the B-Max, the IB5 holds up well, but in the larger Focus and especially the Mondeo it does less well: there the engine torque and the weight of the car put a heavier load on the same gearbox.

Applies to the transmission IB5.

Injector copper washer: the soot blocks the turbo's oil filter

expensive

The copper washers under the injectors start to leak at around 100 000 kilometres, and sooty gas gets from the combustion chamber into the engine bay.

Applies to the engine T3JB.

Thermostat housing: the plastic goes brittle and the coolant leaks

expensive

The thermostat housing is made of plastic, and the hose connector is moulded as part of it.

Applies to the engine IQJA, IQJC.

1.0 EcoBoost: the wet timing belt breaks down early

expensive

The timing belt runs in oil, under its cover, and cannot be seen from outside.

Applies to the engine M1JA, M1JE, M1JH and 5 more.

PowerShift (DPS6): shuddering, slipping dry dual clutch

expensive

Ford fitted its smaller models with a dry clutch dual-clutch gearbox (DPS6, factory designation Getrag 6DCT250).

Applies to the transmission DPS6.

Engines and transmissions in this generation

A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.

Mk1 · 2012–2018

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

14 versions

EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody

Neighbouring generations

Mk1 · 2012–2018

B-MAX '12. If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

This is the earliest.

This generation

Mk1 · 2012–2018

Next generation

This is the latest.

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2012–2018. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.

Details in the terms