Common Problems with the Ford Ka
FixMyCar discusses common problems with the Ford Ka and average repair costs.
Compare Ford Ka repair quotesEllie Dyer-Brown
Monday January 12 2026
6 min read
Produced between 1996 and 2016, the Ford Ka is a small city car with a unique design and a very reasonable price tag.
This guide examines known issues with the Ka, providing owners and potential buyers with insights into specific faults and their average repair costs.
In a nutshell: The Ford Ka is a good-value city car, but it’s not fault-free. The 2008-2016 Ka is most known for rusty suspension mounts, damp footwells/condensation, and C17 gearbox input bearing wear, while the 2016-2020 Ka+ (including Active) more commonly suffers electrical niggles plus occasional starting/idle complaints and rattly trim. Overall, reliability is okay rather than standout.
What's wrong with the Ford Ka?
Drivers are searching online for information about the following topics.
Ford Ka gearbox problems
Second-generation Ka models share a platform with the Fiat 500 and use the same C17 gearbox. While this gearbox is generally reliable, the front input bearing is known to wear out, resulting in grinding noises while driving and oil leakage onto the clutch assembly.
Average gearbox repair price: £382.77
Ford Ka clutch problems
Some Ka owners have reported clutch problems, including fluid leaks and worn pressure plates.
Hydraulic fluid can leak from the master cylinder, slave cylinder or the hydraulic lines connecting them, which often causes the clutch pedal to feel spongy or soft and makes changing gears more difficult.
Find out how a clutch works in this guide.
The clutch pressure plate applies pressure to the clutch disc, causing it to experience significant friction and eventually wear out. When this happens, it’s generally recommended to replace the entire clutch assembly because a similar amount of labour is involved in both jobs. If one part has worn out, the others will likely be in a similar state.
Learn more in our ultimate guide to clutch repairs.
Average clutch replacement price: £680.75
Ford Ka+ Active problems
There aren't any major problems specific to the Active trim. The main issues with the Ka+ range in general are electrical niggles (such as warning lights and faulty sensors), occasional complaints about starting/idle behaviour, and minor annoyances like rattling trim.
Recent recalls
| Recall number | Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| R/2019/228 | 26.07.19 | Un-fused Battery Monitoring System (BMS) Wire Chafing. |
| R/2015/062 | 12.05.15 | The rear seat belt buckle (catch) could be defective. In the event of a frontal impact a defective buckle could fail causing the rear seat occupant to be unrestrained by the seat belt. |
| R/2009/019 | 17.02.09 | It has been identified that the rear brake back plate bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. Should a back plate bolt fall into the brake drum damage to the brake linings and or wheel lockup could occur. |
Ford Ka 2008-2016 problems
We’re starting with the second-generation Ka since there are fewer older models still on the road.
1. Rusty suspension mounts
The Mk2 has the same rust-proofing as the Fiat 500, so it generally fares well in this area. However, the top suspension mounts are susceptible to corrosion, which can cause squeaking noises when steering.
Find out how to repair car rust.
What repair is needed for rusty suspension mounts, and how much does it cost?
Replacing the suspension mounts will typically cost between £150 and £450. The average price of a Ford Ka suspension repair on FixMyCar is £205.
2. Damp footwells
The front footwells can become damp due to blocked windscreen drain holes.
What repair is needed for damp footwells, and how much does it cost?
The first step is to clear the windscreen drain holes of dirt and debris to ensure proper drainage. Then assess the state of the footwells – it may be a case of simply leaving them to dry out, or if mould has set in, some cleaning will be be required.
3. Front input bearing failure
As discussed earlier in this guide, the C17 gearbox is known to experience input bearing failure due to wear and tear.
What repair is needed for input bearing failure, and how much does it cost?
The bearing needs to be replaced. We don’t have average price data for this type of repair. However, a general gearbox repair costs £382.77.
4. Foggy windows
Many Mk2 Ka owners have reported foggy windows in heavy rain, even with the air conditioning switched on.
What repair is needed for foggy windows, and how much does it cost?
First, check the footwells and boot for leaks, as excessive moisture is a common cause of window fogging. Make sure the windscreen drain holes are clear of debris.
Read this guide to learn how to stop condensation on car windows.
Ford Ka+ 2016-2020 problems
1. Electrical issues
Various electrical issues have been reported, ranging from warning lights with no apparent cause to faulty interior/headlights.
What repair is needed for electrical issues, and how much does it cost?
We recommend booking an electrical fault diagnosis to pinpoint the cause of the problem you’re experiencing. That way, the mechanic who performs the diagnosis can provide you with an accurate repair cost estimate. The average price of an electrical fault diagnosis for a Ford Ka on FixMyCar is £82.17.
2. Rattling interior trim
Some owners have experienced rattling interior trim.
What repair is needed for rattling interior trim, and how much does it cost for a Ford Ka?
Unfortunately, the rattling is due to the design of the car rather than a problem that can be repaired.
3. Engine starting and fuel-related complaints
Some owners (especially of pre-2018 examples) report reluctance to start, uneven idling or fuel pressure-related hesitations, which can stem from sensor or fuel system wear.
What repair is needed for engine and fuel-related complaints, and how much does it cost?
A diagnostic scan (£61.85 on average) will pinpoint causes. Typical fixes, such as air/fuel sensor replacement, throttle body cleaning or fuel filter change, generally cost £100-£250, though more complex fuel system work can be pricier.
Is the Ford Ka reliable?
The second-generation Ka has a reasonably good reputation for reliability, but it’s not outstanding. Carbuyer gave the Mk2 Ka three stars out of five for reliability and safety; the Ka+ earned just two stars.
Overall, the Ka is a great option if you want a small city car that’s cheap to buy and run, but higher mileage models are likely to experience their fair share of problems.
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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.