We've identified 5 known issues that can affect the 2006–2009 Ford S-MAX Mk1. 2 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.
The 2006–2009 period has 2 more issues than the Ford S-MAX Mk1 average across all year periods.
The power steering rack can leak fluid internally into the track rod end boots, eventually running the pump dry and ruining the rack.
Most affected: All models
The S-Max heavy body puts extra strain on the DMF. Symptoms include rattling at idle especially cold, vibration through the pedals and difficulty engaging gears. Some owners report failure as early as 60,000 miles on cars used in stop-start traffic.
Most affected: All manual models
Short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. The fuel vaporiser can fail and the differential pressure sensor is a common secondary failure. Without the vaporiser working the DPF cannot regenerate and will eventually clog completely.
Most affected: 2.0 TDCi, 2.2 TDCi
The 2nd and 3rd-row seats fold flat electrically via motors in the seat bases. These motors can fail, the mechanisms can jam and the wiring in the seat channels can fracture. A non-folding third row reduces the car key practical advantage.
Most affected: Titanium, All models with power-fold seats
The thermostat housing, expansion tank and coolant hoses are common leak points as the car ages. Gradual coolant loss can lead to overheating if not caught early. The 1.6 EcoBoost models are also subject to the cylinder-head cracking recall.
Most affected: All models
View MOT history, registration data, and reliability scores for 2006–2009 Ford S-MAX Mk1 vehicles.
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