IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2011 Ford Mondeo Mk4 (CD345)

We've identified 5 known issues that can affect the 2011 Ford Mondeo Mk4 (CD345). 2 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

5
Known Issues
2
Serious
3
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Steering Rack / Pump Groan

SeriousSteering

The power steering system on the Mk4 Mondeo features a fine plastic mesh filter integral to the base of the fluid reservoir. Over time, fluid breakdown and particulate contamination clog this non-serviceable mesh, starving the power steering pump of fluid. The resulting hydraulic cavitation causes loud groaning and whining noises when turning the wheel, creates air bubbles in the reservoir, and quickly overheats the pump. If ignored, the starving pump sheds metal debris, contaminating and ruining the entire steering rack.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£850
Warning Signs:

Prominent groaning, whining, or buzzing noise from under the bonnet when turning the steering wheel, Steering feels heavy, stiff, or notchy when maneuvering at low parking speeds, Power steering fluid in the reservoir appears dark, burnt, or foamy with micro-bubbles, Vibration or shudder felt through the steering wheel rim when holding steering lock

What to Inspect:
  • Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock with engine idling, listening for loud pump groaning or whining
  • Inspect the power steering reservoir with the cap off to check fluid clarity and look for foaming
  • Check whether the reservoir and high-pressure pipe have been updated to the revised Ford specification
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Powershift 6DCT450 Transmission Judder & Failure

SeriousGearbox & Transmission

The Getrag 6DCT450 (MPS6) six-speed wet dual-clutch transmission fitted to automatic 2.0 TDCi and 2.0 EcoBoost models requires rigorous oil and external filter replacements every 37,500 miles (3 years). If maintenance is neglected, microscopic clutch material and plastic damper guide debris circulate in the transmission fluid, clogging the delicate solenoids of the mechatronic unit. This causes severe shudder on takeoff, delayed gear engagement, missing reverse or even gears, and eventual total transmission breakdown.

Est. Repair Cost: £1,200–£2,800
Warning Signs:

Violent shuddering or juddering when pulling away gently from a standstill, Delayed or clunky engagement when shifting from Neutral into Drive or Reverse, 'Transmission Malfunction' message on the dashboard Converse+ display with gearbox locking in limp mode, Loss of odd or even gears, or gearbox slipping under moderate acceleration

What to Inspect:
  • Test low-speed crawl and pull-away from cold to ensure perfectly smooth clutch engagement without judder
  • Verify documented proof of gearbox fluid and filter changes every 37,500 miles in the service book
  • Shift between Reverse, Neutral, and Drive while stationary, listening for harsh thuds or hesitation
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Tailgate Wiring Loom Fracture

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

The electrical wiring loom connecting the vehicle body to the tailgate passes through a flexible rubber bellows conduit at the top hinge area. Constant flexing and sub-zero winter temperatures harden the thin PVC insulation on the wiring. The copper conductors fatigue and fracture cleanly inside the rubber sleeve, causing individual tailgate electrical circuits to fail intermittently or drop out completely. In some cases, exposed wires short-circuit together, blowing fuses and disabling central locking.

Est. Repair Cost: £80–£220
Warning Signs:

Rear windscreen wash-wiper completely inoperative or stopping mid-sweep, Electric tailgate release handle failing to open the boot latch, Number plate illumination lamps or high-level LED third brake light failing, Heated rear screen elements failing to clear morning frost or mist

What to Inspect:
  • Operate the rear wiper, heated screen, and tailgate boot release switch to verify all function properly
  • Pull back the flexible rubber gaiter at the top of the tailgate and inspect wires for cracked insulation or breaks
  • Check for previous crude repairs or insulating tape wrapped around damaged harness sections
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Rear Trailing Arm Bush (RTAB) Degradation

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

The large voided rubber bushes pressed into the forward mounting eye of each rear trailing arm are a notorious failure point on the CD345 platform. High curb weight, speed cushion impacts, and road salt cause the vulcanised rubber core to separate (debond) from the steel outer casing and split. As the rear geometry shifts under load, the car suffers from rear-end wandering, unstable braking, and severe inner-edge tyre scrubbing, making this an extremely common failure on the annual UK MOT test.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£500
Warning Signs:

Prominent knocking or clonking noise from the rear floor when traversing uneven tarmac or potholes, Rear of the vehicle feels unstable, twitchy, or wanders under hard braking and brisk cornering, Severe uneven tyre wear along the inner shoulders of both rear tyres, MOT failure flagged for 'suspension arm mounting/bush excessively deteriorated'

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect the forward mounting bushes of both rear trailing arms with a pry bar for torn or debonded rubber
  • Check the inner tread shoulders of both rear tyres for accelerated wear or diagonal feathering
  • Listen for rear suspension clonking during the road test when driving over rough road surfaces
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

DPF Vaporiser (Fuel Vaporiser) Clogging

ModerateExhaust & Emissions

Euro 5 specification 2.0 and 2.2 TDCi models utilize an exhaust fuel vaporiser (a dedicated glow plug and fuel doser unit in the exhaust downpipe) to heat the Diesel Particulate Filter for active regeneration. Over time, the tiny fuel injector orifice cokes up with carbon deposits, or the internal glow plug burns out. When the vaporiser fails to ignite, exhaust temperatures remain too low for regeneration, storing fault code P244C. This leads to rapid soot overloading (P2463) and triggers limp mode.

Est. Repair Cost: £200–£450
Warning Signs:

Engine malfunction warning displayed on the dash and car restricted to limp-home mode, Diagnostic trouble code P244C (Catalyst Temperature Too Low for Regeneration) stored in ECU, Soot accumulation code P2463 triggering DPF full warning lamp on instrument cluster, Frequent failed DPF regeneration attempts accompanied by strong burning diesel odour

What to Inspect:
  • Scan for fault codes P244C, P2463, or P246B using an OBD2 diagnostic code reader
  • Check the 15A vaporiser glow plug fuse in the engine bay fuse box for a blown circuit
  • Verify DPF soot loading and check whether the car has completed a successful recent regeneration
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2011 Ford Mondeo Mk4 (CD345)

  • Check the steering for groaning; the reservoir filter can block, starving the pump.
  • Inspect the wiring loom in the tailgate bellows.
  • On the 1.6/2.0 TDCi, verify the DPF health if used for short trips.
Check a 2011 Ford Mondeo Mk4 (CD345) by Registration