Tyres / Tyre News / Help & Advice / Common Ford Ka Faults

Common Ford Ka Faults

13/10/2025James Harding

Help & Advice

The Ford Ka has been a go-to city car across three distinct generations. Starting with the original Mk1 (1996–2008), then the Mk2 (2008–2016), and finally the Ka+ (2016–2019).

Every version could be said to have its own unique personality, along with its own pattern of faults.

In this guide, we’ll attempt to bring the most common Ka issues together in one place. Identifying what the most common symptoms are, the likely causes and some potential practical fixes.

The Ford KA Issues Cheat-Sheet

A quick and top level look at each generation and the common characteristics of the faults most regularly encountered can be found below:

Mk1 (1996–2008). The MK1 featured simple mechanical but often age-related concerns. These include issues such as rust, rear brake/drum issues, and various sensor faults.
Mk2 (2008–2016). This generation shared hardware with the Fiat 500. Common issues to look out for include top-mount corrosion, damp footwells, and gearbox wear.
Ka+ (2016–2019). The latest iteration of the KA is known for being roomier. It has common issues with electrical components, with occasional wiring chafe concerns, and trim rattles.

Ford KA

Ford KA Fast Diagnosis Table

You can look for your Ka’s symptoms in the following table, where we have tried to compile the most recorded issues, along with what the cause may be and any initial steps you can take to help fix the problem.

Symptom	Likely cause(s)	First step(s)
Crunching gear change	Worn clutch, stretched cable/hydraulic issue (Mk1); input bearing wear, low gearbox oil (Mk2)	Check clutch bite, inspect for leaks, check gearbox oil level/metallic debris
Clutch pedal feels spongy	Master/slave cylinder leak, air in system	Inspect bellhousing/lines for fluid; bleed or replace leaking component
Persistent window fogging & damp carpets	Blocked scuttle drains, door-membrane leaks, evaporator drain blocked (A/C)	Clear drains, dry carpets, check cabin filter, clear A/C drain
Musty smell from vents	Cabin filter saturated, biofilm on evaporator	Replace filter; apply HVAC sanitiser; confirm condensate drains freely
Odd electrical behaviour	Failing alternator, corroded grounds, BMS wiring chafe (Ka+)	Voltage test (engine off/on); inspect BMS harness and grounds
ABS intermittently on	Wheel-speed sensor or corroded connectors; airbag spiral cable/connector issue	Scan for codes; check sensor wiring near hubs; inspect steering-wheel clockspring
Engine stalls at junctions (Mk1)	Dirty ISCV (idle valve) or intake air leaks	Clean/replace ISCV; check hoses/gasket seating
High idle between shifts (Mk1)	Throttle position sensor/connector fault	Inspect connector, test/replace TPS and short loom
KA overheating then not starting	Coolant temp sensor failure (seen across early cars)	Test/replace temperature sensor; confirm fan operation
Whine + misfire (Mk1 petrol)	Failing coil pack	Replace coil pack and HT leads; check plugs
Loss of power (older KA Mk1)	Worn cam followers/tappets	Inspect, set valve clearances/rebuild as required
Harsh ride (Mk2)	Corroded/worn front top mounts	Replace top mounts/bearings; check strut bearings both sides
Interior rattles (Ka+)	Trim tolerance, loose clips	Felt-tape and clip refresh; check door cards and dash fixings

Common Ford Ka Issues by Generation

Here you go see a breakdown (pun intended) of common Ford KA faults.

Mk1 Ford Ka (1996–2008)

Rust (in particular the sills, arches, floor, rear spring seats)
Rear brakes/drums and wheel cylinders (early cars)
Fan blower resistor & melted multiplug
Idle problems (ISCV)
Sensors (outside temp, oil pressure, coolant temp)
Coil pack failures (petrol)

Mk2 Ford Ka (2008–2016)

Top suspension mount corrosion
Damp footwells
Manual gearbox wear
Clutch hydraulics

Ford Ka+ (2016–2019)

Electrical issues and warning lights
BMS harness chafe (battery monitoring)
Trim rattles
DPF issues (diesel)

Blackcircles.com online ford MOT booking

Ford KA Recalls & Service Actions

Across different years there have been actions for rear brake back-plate bolts, rear seatbelt catches, and battery monitoring harness/wiring. Amongst others.

Before buying a Ka, you can run the registration through the UK government’s recall checker.

This can help you check if the vehicle has been recalled before.

Launch Date	Recall Code	Concern	Defect	Remedy	Vehicle Numbers	Manufacturer Ref
17/12/1998	R/1998/115	Reduction in braking efficiency	Possible loss of one braking circuit due to brake master cylinder failure.	Affected vehicles are being recalled for checking and, where necessary, replacement of the brake master cylinder.	1,142
22/07/2002	R/2002/085	Front brake hose retention	The front brake hose might foul and rub on the front wheel rim, potentially leading to a brake fluid leak and loss in braking performance.	Recall affected vehicles and fit a tie strap to secure the front brake hose to the support clip.	31,605	2C827
17/02/2009	R/2009/019	Risk of rear brake lockup	Rear brake back plate bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. A loose bolt could cause brake damage or wheel lockup.	Rear brake back plate bolts will be checked and tightened to the specified torque.	7,156	9u186
12/05/2015	R/2015/062	Driver seatbelt latch may fail in the event of a frontal collision	The rear seat belt buckle could be defective, which may fail in a frontal impact, leaving the rear occupant unrestrained.	Check the rear seat belt buckles and replace any that are part of the defective batch.	260	15S07
26/07/2019	R/2019/228	Un-fused battery monitoring system wire chafing	Un-fused Battery Monitoring System (BMS) wire may chafe, causing potential electrical damage.	Inspect BMS wiring, replace if damaged, wrap with cloth tape, and install a retaining clip.	9,788	19S21

Regular Ford KA Servicing

Regular car servicing can go a long way to ensure that your vehicle remains at its peak performance. It is also a great way to spot and have fixed issues, before they become big problems.

Whether you are booking your Ford Ka in for an interim service, full service or a major service – keeping to a regular servicing schedule that matches your needs is important.

Well maintained and regularly serviced Ka’s can be a reliable car for many years. It is when servicing and maintenance is missed that small issues are missed.

These can end up becoming larger problems that cost you more money to fix.

Book your Ford KA in for a service today at Blackcircles.com. Our network of garage partners stretch across the UK – meaning you can book in at a location that suits you.

Blackcircles.com online Ford Car Servicing booking

Ford KA FAQs

Is the Ford Ka reliable?

A cared-for Ka can be cheap to run. The Mk1’s enemy is rust. Whereas the Mk2’s weak spots are generally considered to be mount corrosion, damp, and occasional gearbox bearing wear. For the Ka+ - electrical niggles are the most common issues you’ll run into. Condition and maintenance history matter more than mileage alone.

Which engine is best?

For simplicity and low running costs, the small petrols are easiest to live with. Diesel variants work if your usage regularly includes longer trips (vital for the DPF).

What’s the single best first check on a “foggy windows” Ka?

Clear the scuttle drains and replace the cabin filter. Then confirm the A/C drain is dripping. Those three steps solve most fogging complaints. If the issues persists, consider having the car checked from a professional.

Clutch bite is high but not slipping – should I replace?

If the clutch isn’t slipping and gear engagement is clean, you can monitor it. But if the gearbox is coming out for a bearing anyway, fitting a new clutch at the same time is usually smart value.