Ford Falcon Problems

FORD has recalled all Territorys built between February 1, 2004, and December 31, 2008, to replace the front brake hoses, so that's a positive move that we applaud. Hopefully, they will follow up with a similar recall on the Falcon. Ford has already recalled the Falcon sedan to replace rear brake hoses, so you shouldn't have had to pay to replace them. We still believe there is a problem with the Falcon's front brake hoses that hasn't been addressed.

IT IS certainly worth looking at the handbrake and making sure all is tight.

I DON'T believe the problem is associated with the brake hoses, though you should take it to a Ford dealer and have them change the hoses. But I would take it to a brake specialist and have them check it. One you could try in Melbourne is Hoppers Stoppers.

YES. Dealers will replace the rear hoses on your car, on instructions from head office, but they will probably baulk at replacing the front hoses. Ford doesn't acknowledge there is a problem with the front hoses, but we beg to differ. Ford is investigating the hose failure issue and we are awaiting those findings.

GOOD idea. I would urge disgruntled Falcon owners to contact Consumer Affairs because I think Falcon owners who choose not to have their cars serviced by Ford dealers are being discriminated against.

I CAN'T recall hearing the noise in any Falcons I have driven and I contacted Ford and it told me that the ABS does cycle during start-up as a test to ensure the system is operating correctly. This is similar to the airbag system doing a self-test on start-up. As a result you could notice a noise, but it should be normal operating procedure. Ford contacted Bill Morrow and showed him that the noise existed in a similar car. It was explained it was the ABS stability control system self-checking. Bill remains unhappy and warns other Falcon owners to be aware of the annoying noise.

WE'VE had heaps of emails complaining about the same problem, and not only on Falcons. It's a common problem and there seems to be no real fix. Anti-rattle glue behind the pads helps, but it's not permanent. The first time it came to my attention was soon after the release of the BA Falcon, when an owner complained of the noise in his new car. Dealers fobbed him off, and Ford couldn't help, so eventually he traded his car in for a Honda.

THE chances are high enough that you should do something about it. Ford president Marin Burela has advised all Falcon owners concerned about the problem to go to their local Ford dealer and have their car checked. I would expect your car will be one of those affected and the Ford dealer will replace the rear brake hoses at the very minimum, though I don't believe that will fully address the problem. If a brake hose fails you shouldn't lose all braking because the front and rear brake circuits are independent.

IT'S great you are happy, but you had to ask. If you hadn't read about the problem you wouldn't have known there was one. Wouldn't it have been better if Ford had contacted you and told you of the problem and asked you to take your car in to have the brake hoses changed? I would have been angry with Ford for letting me and my family drive the car around with a potentially dangerous flaw. I note the dealer replaced all brake hoses, because some are only changing the rear hoses, another example of the inconsistent approach by Ford and its dealers.