Ford Fairmont Problems

If it’s three years since it was installed it probably needs a service, the rough idle, stalling and popping and banging are symptomatic of an ignition problem. We ran your problem past the guys at Impco and they suggested fitting genuine Ford gas spark plugs as well as checking the ignition leads.

It's not an issue that has come to our attention here at Carsguide, which would suggest it's not as common as your mechanic believes. As for a recall, they're usually associated with safety issues and the failure of a headlight switch would not normally fall in that category. Car companies do, however, have low-key service rectification programs in which they fix cars when they have a widespread failure problem with a particular part. That would be the way they would address a failure such as the one you experienced, but only if it was widespread and only if the carmaker had a community spirit.

We have had a number of reports on the effects E10 has on cars, and yours is similar to others we’ve received. Rougher idling is an expected outcome with the fuel, even the biofuels people admit to that, and other owners have reported starting problems. It’s still early days for E10, so it’s advisable to be cautious until we know more about it.

Leaking injectors is a relatively common problem when the kays get up a bit, so check that again, but also check the fuel pressure relief valve to make sure it’s functioning correctly.

An air valve system that works much like a carburetor was the system that would have been used back in the 1990's when your car was built and that would be the cheapest system to use if cost is your priority. These systems were fitted to millions of cars over many years and performed well. Injection systems are the alternative and these drive and perform better than the old air valve ones, but they're quite a bit more expensive. I would choose an injection system for the performance and drivability, but go for the air valve if you want a more affordable system.

The brakes probably need doing again, the pads probably need replacing again and the rotors probably need skimming.

Carmakers claim that you don't need to change the fluid or service the auto trans for "life", but what "life" means is anybody's guess.  Auto trans service specialists strongly suggest that the fluid be changed as often as every 20,000 km, much as it used to be. It's more critical if you are towing regularly, but 40,000 km on a car that is being driven normally would be a good guide to when you should consider having the fluid changed.

Check and adjust the park brake, they're notorious for causing a noise similar to that you are hearing.

It was a common problem with Shockwave and Ford was repairing those cars affected. Take the car back to the dealer and ask to have the affected areas repainted. You shouldn’t be charged for the work.

If you talk to suspension specialists like Pedders they will tell you it's a common problem. The springs Ford used are quite long and they're compressed into a small space so they can distort and foul the strut as yours has done. You can replace them with factory originals from Ford or use aftermarket springs from someone like Pedders. They cost about $190 per set of two springs, or about $390 fitted with a wheel alignment. I don't like your chances of getting new springs out of Ford.