Ford Falcon Problems

You are not alone in asking that question, and there is no simple answer to it. There is clearly a problem with the gearbox, and we are attempting to get an answer from Ford on the cause and what they plan to do about it.

If you are sure it’s coming from the front of the car replacing the diff mounts at the rear would have no effect. I would be checking the front suspension bushes and the shocks.

Go back to the dealer and have it checked, and don't believe him if he tells you it's because the transmission hasn't adapted to your driving style!

It's usual that recalls are marked in the Service Book and with a sticker in the engine bay, but I'm sure any dealer would be happy to check your car for you. As for checking it for problems that might need fixing, you could have the NRMA do it, but any problem needing fixing should be evident to you.

The last E-Gas Falcon ute I tested gave 18.5 L/100 km and I made the comment then that I felt it was too high when a regular petrol six would deliver around 12.5 L/100 km in the same sort of driving. That suggests the E-Gas engine isn’t very economical, and I reckon that’s your main problem. It would depend heavily on the weight you’re carrying and any trailers you might be towing. You could check the normal things, plugs, leads, etc., and you could run higher tyre pressures, but I reckon it’s just the nature of the beast.

I have observed a similar vibration in Falcon utes I have driven, and it felt to me like a driveline vibration. It was observed at different speeds, depending on the gear you were in at the time. My reading of it was that while it was annoying it probably inherent in the vehicle and not something that could be easily fixed. I’m not surprised Ford put it in the “too-hard” basket.

Keep the pressure on both the dealer and Ford to cover the cost of replacing the steering column if that's what they think will fix it. Your argument is absolutely correct, if they had diagnosed the problem correctly the first time you reported it the problem would have been rectified while the warranty was current. I don't believe Ford has a leg to stand on here. We haven't had any other complaints about the traction control, and while we doubt that the steering column would affect the traction control Ford should know best and I  would let them make the change as they want to do, but before you agree get them to agree to cover the cost. If you don't get anywhere with Ford on this go to your consumer affairs people and get their advice of what legal action you might be able to take.

We have certainly had a few reports of hard gearshifts with the six-speed auto, but that’s not to say all cars are affected. A good test drive at various speeds, light and hard throttle, should be able to find the problem is it exists.

Hard shifting has been on ongoing issue with the ZF auto, and like you say, other owners have had the Ford fix of a recal of the computer without any lasting success.

Certainly take it back to the dealer, it's not wise to be driving a car with a possible airbag fault, but this time sit down with the dealer and go through the history of the problem and make it known in no uncertain terms that you are unhappy and that they have failed to fix a problem you have reported several times. It's still under   warranty so I would leave the car with them until they can demonstrate to your satisfaction that the problem has been fixed, and   demand a loan car while your car is in the workshop. If the dealer cannot fix it, ask them to call Ford in and have one of its   technicians check it. After that consider going to the consumer affairs people and enlisting their help.