Ford Puma
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My mother has been having ongoing brake problems with her Ford Puma. Many attempts have been made to no avail. On December 30, 2024, my mother took her Ford Puma in for its 45,000km/36-month service. Along with the regular service, she told them… Read more
about two problems: - The car won't start each morning unless the key is right next to the start button. - The brakes make a squealing noise when driving forward and using them. The service team said they fixed these problems and told us to keep an eye on how the car runs. But the issues didn't go away. After I complained about the noise getting louder, we took the car back to Ford Warwick Farm on January 7, 2025. During this visit, the service team heard the brake noise on a test drive cleaned and put the brakes back on, and said the car was okay to use. They stated the key proximity is not a problem, but it still occurs every day. We were advised to be firmer with the brakes—a tip that's not practical or sensible. In just seven days, the squealing came back louder and happened when reversing, turning into a real nuisance. On February 19, 2025, we took the car back to Ford Warwick Farm once more. The service staff admitted the brakes still squealed, swapped them out as a 'goodwill' gesture, and said they'd fixed it. But three weeks later, the noise returned twice as loud and has not quit. It was mentioned, if we washed down the brakes with water to remove dust, the noise will no longer be present. Well, this is not entirely true. I moved the car into the driveway, removed the dust as best as I could, reversed the car back into the garage with no noise. Two hours later I drove from my house to Bankstown, took my family to the movies, reversed the car into the parking spot and low and behold, the noise was back. So, what is on the service docket is a flat out lie. 'No longer present' indicates that it should not happen again. I've email the complaints servicing department with attached papers from the service team, including notes from several service visits. They claim that the squealing is "as acceptable condition" as indicated on their service document but that just doesn't cut it. My mother and I haven't run into these problems with other car brands, which makes this Ford experience extra frustrating since it's my mom's first Ford. This ongoing headache doesn't look good for the company's build quality or customer service. It's caused us stress, hassle, and embarrassment. I asked Ford Australia to step up and solve these issues. We were advised by a Customer Experience Specialist that we will need to arrange a booking date with Ford dealership for further inspection of the brake issues. Around this time, we received a letter about a recall on her vehicle for another issue and booked this in together for 4/8/25. As this is an issue on Ford's side, we requested a loan car and was promised over the phone by someone in Ford Servicing. My mother also received a phone call on 23/7/25, confirming that she would receive one. But on Tuesday 4th August, she had taken the car in, asked about the loan car and they are claiming that no loan car was requested. (Hence our frustration even more). I spoke to a woman named [Name Removed] in servicing while my mother was there and she promised my mother that she would be receiving a small loan car tomorrow. The following day, Wednesday 5th August, my mother returned her car again, asked about the loan car that was promised and was straight away denied. They said there was nothing in the system stating she was receiving a loan car. The gentleman [Name Removed] assisting my mother, went to look for a loan car but came back with a car that my mother felt very uncomfortable with and unsure how to operate. Every time I email the FORD complaints department they somehow keep avoiding the issue and ask me st>pid questions and try to throw things in our faces without doing their due diligence. I can't believe the amount of disrespect and unprofessionalism that FORD has been. Why is it hard to accept responsibility? FORD is a joke and treat their customers very poorly. This is still ongoing and their willingness to address the issue with her car brakes has affected our mental wellbeing. Shame on you FORD. The latest saga to this, we had to book in my mother's car for a recall issue and brought up the brake problem......well let's just say, instead of wanting to help or accept their responsibility, the service guys suggestion ([Name Removed]) was to palm this problem off to another Ford service centre. Good on ya mate, way to solve a problem. It just goes to show the level of quality service delivered by Ford and their staff.
Follow-up · In the end, I could not take it back to Ford at Warwick Farm. Instead, we took mum's car to Ford at Chullora. They were much more responsive, aware of the brake issue with this model Ford and addressed the recall issue. The service guy from Chullora mentioned that something came out not long ago regarding the brakes on the Ford Puma and new what… Read more
Worst experience of my life – A great little car when it works!!! Top of the line St V $42000 with some extras. My car has been towed 4 times 'transmision limited function' error, with the spanner! And car goes into limp mode, shudders and won't drive. No choice than to get it towed to Ford. The first time they said there are multiple error codes but they couldn't fix them. … Read more
They had the car 8 weeks
Second time after only 2 days of driving since getting it back the first time. Ford forced me to pay for a service saying it was due at 25000 km, however the log book and sticker on the car said 30,000. Regardless, they said pick up your car, return the the loan car. This left me no choice than to pay for the service they insisted it needed otherwise I would void the warranty! They had the car approx 6 weeks this time
Two weeks later, a third time. They had the car approx 8 weeks again. Ford refused to give me a refund for the car despite new car warranty legislation and Consumer Affairs legislation. Ford Dealership and Directors completely ignored 'Letter of Demand' from my lawyer. They ended up saying after all that, 'There's nothing wrong with the car!!! Come and get it!!
4th time, had the car 6 weeks, albeit a different dealership this time meant I received a healthy dose of respect and compassion for the situation, however, same thing!! Nothing wrong with the car....Apparently this happens to the pumas, they break and then magically fix themselves.
ATROCIOUS Customer Service FORD!!
Last time it broke down I was 1/2 hr from home (regional) , I had a chest infection and needed to fill a script and also get dinner. Ford left me stranded in the dark at night with no way to get home (Nice Customer Service Ford!) The next day they said they would send an uber to take me me to pick up a loan car, but it never arrived. Apparently there were issues with ubers phone!!! All attempts to then phone, text or email Ford customer Care went unanswered (Nice one Ford).
On top of that Ford Customer Care refused to repay me the monies I gave to the people who saved me both times. These friends had to drop everything and go out of their way to the tune of 4 hrs on the second day and she's been a cancer patient x 2 in the last year! JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH FORD
My work requires a reliable car travelling to various sites throughout the day/evening. A reliable car is essential for me.
A lemon car should be replaced or refunded.
If you look up 'transmission limited function' Ford focus and various other fords, there have have been multiple class actions worth 10's of millions in Australia.
BEWARE !!! I will never go near a Ford again!
- +8
Great to drive but build quality needs improvement – This Ford is built in Europe, and I can definitely feel a European level of build quality throughout this car. For the most part, I found there to be plenty of high quality materials splashed throughout the cabin, moreso than other cars at this price point. I especially liked the heavy door feel for a small SUV like this. My pain points came… Read more
in the form of a large crack on the roof trim, which would have required a warranty claim at a local dealership. In addition, I couldn’t replicate the high sound quality from the Bang & Olufsen speakers that many other car reviewers praised. It was crackly and appeared possibly faulty.
The Puma ST-Line V is priced from $35,540 before on-road costs. It’s the most expensive trim of the Puma range.
Our tester had a $2000 panoramic sunroof installed, a $1500 park pack and $650 prestige Grey Matter paint.
Ford offers a 5 year/unlimited kilometres warranty. Service plans can be purchased for either $897 for 3 years or $1519 for 5 years of coverage.
Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
There was a decent amount of sound insulation inside this little SUV, however it wasn’t enough to combat some excessive road noise.
At highway speeds, tyre roar was more than noticeable, but eventually it became a regular background sound.
I would have loved to have used the B&O sound system, but using Apple CarPlay seemed to produce a tinny, distorted sound that was less than pleasant to listen to. That same sound issue persisted even in the Ford warning chime.
I believe these speakers might have been faulty, but it was disappointing that this upgraded sound system had these issues for a relatively new vehicle.
I was a big fan of the brakes on this little SUV. They were strong but easy to modulate to provide a smooth ride. Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection was also fairly active and reassuring for those just-in-case moments.
Since the Ford Puma is built on the same chassis as the latest generation Ford Fiesta, it comes with a familiar but miniscule 1.0L turbocharged 3-cylinder producing 92kW (122hp) and 170Nm. Power is sent exclusively to the front wheels so traction can occasionally be an issue when slamming the throttle in Sport mode.
That’s a rare case, seeing as the Puma produces as much horsepower as a golf cart. But that golf cart power works since this car only weighs 1267kg. There’s enough power to have fun with on some back roads but certainly not enough to even be worried about losing your licence.
Mid-range power for highway driving feels a little breathless, but that turbocharger helps produce a little more torque for just a bit more punch.
A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is used in the Puma for rapid gear changes and a more engaging drive.
It really works as a more entertaining alternative to a torque converter automatic or even a dreaded CVT.
It’s smooth enough to avoid any jerky changes in bumper to bumper traffic, but it can get a little hung up when reversing on uneven terrain.
At least it's actually fun to use those paddle shifters when you feel like channeling the sportiness of the ST badge in the ST-Line name.
The Puma offers a smooth ride for commuting, but is also capable when exploiting its capabilities on some fun driving roads.
Despite packing larger wheels, there’s enough travel in the suspension to avoid a busy ride. But that does mean handling starts to fall apart when hitting up sharper corners.
The Puma is easily the best driving car in this segment. I just wish I could exploit a stiffer chassis setup with more power, like that found in the Puma ST (which we don’t get in Australia).
Despite my heavy right foot, the Puma returned a very respectable 6.7L per 100km during my combined tests. The claimed fuel economy is 5.3L per 100km, which I don’t doubt you could achieve on longer stretches of road.
The inside of the Puma has plenty of light thanks to the optional glass roof and large windows.
It’s not as sporty as I’d like for something branded ‘ST-Line’, something that Hyundai successfully achieved with the Kona N-Line. However, the interior does feel upmarket.
There’s a 8-inch touch screen which feels a bit out of date compared to the new software used in the latest Ranger and Everest lineup. And the 12.3-inch driver display offers limited customisation and is a little too laggy for my liking.
The biggest surprise of the Puma was its boot. There was a false floor that could be stored in a variety of ways to expose a large 410L of storage with all the seats up.
Seats fold in a 60:40 split to open up 1170L of boot space, making this one of the more practical options in this segment.
Comfort up front was great, especially when using the massaging seats available in this model. However, the rear seats were far too tight for many adults who might be taller than 5'8".
As a 5'11" adult, my head was hitting the roof and my knees were very cramped, even though the seats had additional sculpting.
I really didn’t like the omission of any rear air vents or USB ports, which almost made the Puma feel like a glorified two door car that happened to have four doors.
The Puma lives up to the ST-Line name with this V variant, but some better quality control would be appreciated to ensure Ford can avoid some of the strange defects I experienced with this car.
*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.
I Love my Ford Puma but was ripped of and lied to about the ST – I bought a Ford Puma ST 2921 demo model from Suttons Ford Chullora. I was told my ST had all the Specs that I wanted. Pedestrian protection, wireless phone charger, cruise control, and all the rest. IT DOES NOT. . It has NONE of those standard specs we are told they have. Ford have just had to Admit to me that there is actually 3 different… Read more
types of ST's and when they checked their Ford data base my particular ST had none of these. They told me several times by different people there it's not known to the public. That is probably why all these people with ST's think that the phone charger isn't working. It's probably because you don't have one. It looks like you do, so is assumed. I did not find all this out until I took my Puma into Ford for its 12 month service. I'm sick to my stomach that I was lied to by the sales man at Ford Chullora and the after sales girl that absolutely bullied me into after sales extras and taking out a loan for them. Now I know why the DID NOT answer any of my emails or return any of my calls. It's been a horrific experience when I should just be loving my new car. It's still the best car I've EVER driven, I love my Puma. They are decreasing in value quickly however. It's just such a shame that a woman who has been buying my own cars for 40 years, since I was 15, can be lied to and ripped off. I bought the car because of the Pedestrian protection because I had an ST hire car and an old man walked in front of my car and the car stopped and saved him getting hit in Sydney city. I'm just not going to be trusting people at all after all this. SHAME.
Superb in a crisis – Absolute ripper of a small car. Drives well across country - from highways to the pot-holed dirt road. Excellent specifications and fantastic navigation. We hired this car to visit a mate for their birthday, and had to sleep in it. Frankly, it was more comfortable than half of the mattresses I’ve slept in over my life. Heat retention was also… Read more
very impressive, as neither of us lost an extremity. Overall, an absolute unit, and would absolutely recommend.
Great little SUV – The Ford Puma has been a great car. No problems but we have done very low kilometres. The car has great fuel economy on a trip. it steers and handles better than anything in its class. Ride is firm but not unpleasant. Infotainment system is good. Fit and finish above average. Recommended! Show details
An amazing driving experience! – Frugal on economy and yet lively performance from the 1L Turbo powertrain . More space than the Fiesta and just a great all- round car . I absolutely luv driving it on the open road especially . I have had 15 cars in my life time - this is right up there in the top three .
Brilliant car. Best one I’ve ever had – I love everything about the 2020 Ford Puma ST line car. Looks stunning, great to drive, comfortable, excellent infotainment, fast with great engine. Has 5 drive modes (normal, sport, eco, trail and slippery). Can turn on, lock and unlock etc remotely from the app. All car windows automatically go down by holding the unlock key fob to cool the car down on a hot day. I purchased ex-demo. Very happy with everything. Show details
My little slice of heaven – Going to work, going to church shopping . I drive it as often as I can it s like a therapy. As per dealer advise if needed be. No mechanical issues Show details
Nice Vehicle BUT! – Lovely vehicle to drive. I drive it regularly. It ticked all the boxes for me. Unfortunately the Fordpass feature allowing mobile phone remote feature functions does not work reliably. Re installing the app, factory reset and following all procedures sugested to me by Ford support did not resolve this issue. It is a known problem and not isolated… Read more
to my Ford Puma. It is unreliable and frustrating trying to get it to work. Other than that the vehicle is fine. Though the seats are a little firm and not compfortable to sit on for a lenghty time. The high beam is Halogen and totally inadequate for country night driving.
Really depends on what you're looking for – Have driven both the base model and ST-line. Both cars are basically comfortable, no-fuss, city runabouts, with loads of great features and fantastic fuel economy. Neither is great for a driving experience. Quality and service you can take for granted as good with Fords. So if you don't care about power and you like a few nifty features, good… Read more
navigation, safety, etc - and you like a slightly higher seating pos and plenty of space for your shopping you will LOVE this. If you enjoy power and handling and don't care to be told how to drive, maybe not so much. I actually prefer the base model - it has a lot fewer features but is more down-to-earth (eg. the boot doesn't have a platform floor which just means more easy to use space, no auto tailgate - just use your hand), and seems to have less weight so it feels more powerful - but not much. The ST-line had a really nice sunroof, leather seats, auto tail lifter/closer and these nifty little wing lights that project pumas on the ground (sadly, I miss those), but I need none of that stuff so for the lack of power I resented it, but that's just me. Probably great value if you are in group A above.
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