P24A4 on Ford: Causes, Symptoms and Fix Cost
Quick Answer
Not safe to drive
P24A4 on a Ford means the engine computer calculates that the diesel particulate filter (DPF) holds more soot than the maximum it allows, and that regeneration, the self-cleaning burn-off, failed, was cut short or was blocked. The filter is usually full rather than broken, so the question to answer is why it stopped burning off its soot. P2463 describes the same kind of clogged filter, and Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi reports show both stored together. Which soot level sets which code is decided by each make's software, and public sources do not give a general rule. Bank 1 is the only filter on most diesels.
- Severity
- High · Emissions
- Typical repair cost, all makes
- €60-€3600
Connect a standard OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone) to your Ford and Skanyx tells you what P24A4 means on that engine, whether it is safe to keep driving, and what the fix should cost. Free on iPhone and Android.
Get Skanyx freeWhat does P24A4 mean on a Ford?
The Quick Answer above is the generic definition. What follows is the model-specific detail for the Ford models that log P24A4.
Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi
2008-2013
Sema Repair lists P24A4 for the first-generation Kuga 2.0 TDCi 16v, with severe loss of performance in limp-home mode, the engine warning light and an "Engine fault" message, and several DPF codes (P246C, P246B, P2463, P244C) stored together. It notes that a forced regeneration only clears limp mode for a while, and that replacing the filter without addressing the reason regenerations fail will likely lead to the same blockage.
Source: semarepair.com, en.wikipedia.org
Sources
- semarepair.com semarepair.com/en/faults/ford/p24a4/
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Kuga
What causes P24A4 on a Ford?
Beyond the generic causes listed on the main P24A4 page, these are the patterns noted for Ford models:
Regenerations that do not complete on their own
: Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi
Another fault stopping regeneration
: Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi
How to diagnose P24A4 on a Ford with OBD2
- Read every stored code and the freeze frame, and note which DPF codes sit together. Codes for the exhaust temperature sensor, pressure sensor, EGR, boost or an injector often explain why the filter filled, and they come first. A basic reader gives you those codes plus ordinary live data. Soot mass, ash mass, regeneration history and a forced burn-off are manufacturer-level software territory on nearly every car.
- If power is normal and the handbook describes a regeneration drive, try it once. A warning that stays lit afterwards, or a code that returns, means the car needs a workshop.
- A workshop with manufacturer-level software can read the calculated soot load and the pressure measured across the filter. Ask at what soot level your make sets this code, since public sources give no general figure.
- Check the pressure sensing hoses for soot blockage, splits and wrong routing, and test the pressure sensor, before blaming the filter.
- If the soot load is still under the manufacturer's ceiling, the workshop can start a forced regeneration and must let it complete. Over the ceiling the software may refuse, and the filter comes off to be cleaned or replaced. A forced burn-off may only lift limp mode for a while when the cause of the failed regenerations stays unfixed.
- After a clean or a new filter, the soot and ash counters are reset or adapted where the manufacturer requires it, and the fault that stopped regeneration or made the extra soot is repaired.
- Drive normally for a few days, then have the soot load checked again to see that the filter now clears itself.
How much does P24A4 cost to fix on a Ford? (EUR)
Estimated repair costs for P24A4 in EUR, compiled across makes. Ford costs typically sit in the middle of each range.
| Repair | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Total Estimate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forced active regeneration (manufacturer-level diagnostic software) | €0–€0 | €60–€150 | €60–€150 | Professional |
| Replace DPF differential pressure sensor | €40–€150 | €30–€80 | €70–€230 | Easy |
| Replace exhaust gas temperature sensor | €25–€100 | €40–€120 | €65–€220 | Moderate |
| Off-vehicle DPF cleaning (thermal or chemical) | €30–€80 | €150–€400 | €180–€480 | Professional |
| Replace DPF (aftermarket type-approved) | €550–€1100 | €150–€400 | €700–€1500 | Professional |
| Replace DPF (OEM) | €800–€3000 | €200–€600 | €1000–€3600 | Professional |
Prices estimated as of October 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Codes related to P24A4
These codes are often seen alongside P24A4 or point to related issues, on any make:
Looking for the full P24A4 reference (all makes, full diagnosis flow, complete repair cost matrix)? See the main P24A4 guide