DVSA recall R/2018/351: Ford C-Max, Kuga, S-Max and 3 more (Vehicle could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture)

CarsMultiverse/UK recalls

A recall published by DVSA, the British vehicle safety authority, with every version of its wording that this site has read. Unchanged since first read.

DVSA reference	R/2018/351
Launched	22 February 2019
Make	Ford (listed as FORD)
Manufacturer reference	18S39
Vehicles listed	398,982

Models

Model	Vehicles	Built from	Built to
C-Max	66,497	30 June 2016	21 April 2018
Kuga	66,497	30 June 2016	28 May 2018
S-Max	66,497	7 July 2016	18 April 2018
Galaxy	66,497	7 July 2016	18 April 2018
Mondeo	66,497	30 June 2016	30 May 2018
Focus	66,497	30 June 2016	18 May 2018

Concern

Vehicle could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture

Defect, as DVSA words it

A number of vehicles fitted with a 1.0 1.5 or 1.6 Ecoboost engine and 6-speed manual transmission could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture. This results in clutch smell reduced vehicle speed and performance. In the unlikely event of clutch pressure plate fracture a noise (thud / bang) could be heard from the vicinity of the transmission in extreme cases resulting in clutch / transmission fragments being released and striking under hood components creating a risk of smoke and fire from the under hood area.

Remedy, as DVSA words it

To prevent the repeated heating /cooling events a new calibration has been developed for vehicles fitted with Engine Stop Start feature. The software with the additional feature sets the Instrument panel �Wrench light� and de-rates the engine performance if prolonged clutch slip is detected. The software feature includes a drive cycle strategy for latching the wrench light and engine performance de-rate if the customer should experience repeated clutch slip events. For vehicles that do not have Engine Stop Start feature an alternative clutch kit has been released.

What changed since we first read it

Nothing yet. The wording has been the same on every read since 4 September 2026. The file is read again every day; if DVSA rewrites the defect, remedy or concern, the old and new text will appear here with both dates.

The same recall in other registers

No match found in the American, Canadian or European registers by manufacturer reference. A recall can exist abroad under a different reference; this site only claims a match when the reference agrees.

Check this recall on the DVSA service

Read from DVSA's bulk recalls file (RecallsFile.csv, 7 MB) on 4 September 2026; this recall first read on 4 September 2026, read once. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA, Check vehicle recalls. CarsMultiverse is an independent site, not an authority: the official notice is the one on the DVSA service.