Ford Recall - Information & Updates

And the car industry is not immune from being saddled with these potentially damaging problems.Apart from Ford's recent problems with brake hoses and brake booster valves on E-Gas Falcons the other ‘big two’ carmakers have had their fair share of recalls.Holden has had five recalls for its VE Commodore and Statesman range since its introduction in 2006, involving things like fuel vapor lines, fuel lines and defective valves on LPG cars.ToyotaToyota had a range of recalls for its Camry, HiLux, RAV4, Yaris and LandCruiser over the past three years. Most, like a headlight dimmer switch on a Camry, have been minor. Others, like the potential fire hazard stemming from a poorly installed insulator pad on a Yaris, raised alarm bells among some customers.NissanLast week Nissan was forced to recall 11,743 Maximas and 4972 Muranos because of a vibrating air intake in the engine bay.AudiEven the luxury German brands are not immune. Last year Audi had to recall its TT for a piece of rear side trim in its cars that unless fixed, could potentially injure passengers.Mercedes-Benz This year Mercedes-Benz has recalled its M-Class off-roader for a possible glitch in its electric rear hatch. It was also forced to recall S-Class sedans fitted with active body control because of problems with the front lower ball joints on its suspension. On some high-mileage vehicles, the front suspension could fracture on rough roads. Faulty left and right windows in the Viano van also required the replacement.BMWOf the German carmakers, BMW has fared better. It has not had a official government recall since 2006.Volvo Volvo has had three recalls this year of its S80, XC70, V70 and new XC60 for engine cooling fan problems and windscreen wiper problems with the S80 and XC70.JaguarJaguar, once widely ridiculed for its poor quality cars, has come a long way over the past few years. Jaguars these days have no less, or no more, problems with recalls than some of the other luxury brands. Last year it experienced some minor problems with the XF range involving wiring and rear seatbelts.In all cases, recalls by carmakers are handled quickly and responsibly. If you want to check out whether your vehicle has had a recall, go to www.recalls.gov.au

Q: Who does this recall affect?A: Owners of all non-turbo Ford Territory vehicles built between February 1 2004 and December 31 2008Q Why did Ford make the recall?A: Following Carsguide reader letters to Ask Smithy guru Graham Smith complaining about brake failures in Territory and Falcons Carsguide contacted Ford. Ford began an investigation and has now decided to recall the Territory.Q: What if I own a Falcon?A: While they are not part of the recall Graham Smith and Ford have advised concerned owners of 2003-onwards Falcons to contact your dealer and have your car checked overQ: What should I do if I own a Territory?A: Contact your nearest authorised Ford dealer to make arrangements to have your vehicle rectified. The front brake hoses will be replaced free of charge by Ford. Ford Australia will be contacting customers via mail and advertising in daily newspapers in order to reach all customers.Q: What is wrong with the cars?A: Ford says it has determined that under certain conditions it is possible for the vehicle to develop a front brake fluid leak, which can result in reduced braking effectiveness from the front brakes. It says the rear braking system will still stop the car. And it says that a warning light will appear on the instrument cluster to alert the driver that the vehicle's braking system requires attention.Q: Will I lose all braking control?A: No, Ford says that under Australian Design Rules the front and rear brakes are independently controlled. So if one fails the other will stop the car.Q How many cars are affected?The recall affects 83,534 Territorys in Australia, 7739 in New Zealand, 3612 in South Africa and about 60 in Thailand and Brunei.Related stories: Ford Territory recall - carsguide.com.auFirst look: 2009 Ford TerritoryToyota Kluger Vs Ford Territory GOT A PROBLEM WITH YOUR CAR? - Carsguide Car Advice

Both the Falcon and Territory share their underpinnings, but the brake architecture of the latest FG model Falcon is different to previous model Falcons.

The recall was prompted after two drivers reported problems with mats jamming the accelerator. Ford Australia spokesman, Todd Nissen, said the drivers were able to slow their vehicles and were not injured."We had two reports that drivers weren't able to stop the vehicle because of the mat," he said. "So we looked into and determined that it was one of three mats we sell that could have caused the problem."The carpet mat set can be identified by its black colour with silver "Territory" lettering and rubber backing material. It is sold as an accessory with a Ford parts number 5R7J A13002 AA and is not a standard fitting on the car. Nissen said because it was an accessory, Ford dealers are being asked to contact purchasers directly."Unlike a vehicle recall we don't have a database of names," he said. "But what we do have is a good dealer network that can contact owners."The mats have been available since last June.Anyone who bought one of the 4990 mat sets as an accessory are being urged to return it to a Ford dealer in exhange for a free replacement of another design. Nissen said the mat set was one of three available. The others are not affected, he said.Ford has placed ads in newspapers and is posting notifications with dealers to alert Territory drivers.Earlier this year Toyota in North America was forced to recall millions of cars globally because of a similar floor mat-related problem that was found to jam the accelerator, causing cars to accelerate suddenly and uncontrollably."It's also important to note that there are no issues with accelerators or brakes or any other part of the Territory," Nissen said.

Ford will disable all cruise controls on the dual cab models, but have said replacement modules could take several months to arrive.In the interim the company has ordered dealers to disable the cruise control after drivers experienced problems setting or deactivating the system.The stopgap move comes as Ford tries to source enough replacement mechanisms to replace the 8082 units sold between April 2009 and January this year in PK Ranger XLT and Wildtrak vehicles and PJ and PK Ranger models where the cruise control was fitted as a genuine accessory.Ford Australia spokesman Neil McDonald said there have been no reports of accidents .He said replacement parts will arrive progressively over the next two months and all affected owners will be contacted by mail.The issue doesn't affect Mazda's BT-50 workhorse. The two vehicles are built on the same platform, but the cruise control unit is specific to the Ranger.from news.com.au

The trucks, including the top-selling F-150, are being recalled because straps that secure fuel tanks can corrode and allow the tanks to fall.The defect has led to three fires and one injury in the US. The recall covers 1.1 million pickup trucks, including F-150s from model years 1997 to 2004; F-250s from model years 1997 to 1999; and Lincoln Blackwoods from model years 2002 to 2003.No Australian vehicles are included in the notice.Ford earlier this year recalled more than 1 million F-150s for defects that could prevent the airbags from deploying properly.

This is despite Ford recalling Territory models with similar problems.

The recall involves all BF Series II and III and the new FG Falcon sedan, wagon and utility fitted with the factory-fitted LPG system, called E-Gas, which are popular with fleets and tradies.The cars affected were built from January 16, 2007 to August 22, 2008.The defect involves the brake booster check valve, which may develop a vacuum leak.Ford spokesman, Justin Lacy, said the valve can develop a leak, leading to reduced power assistance for the brakes.Details of the latest recall surfaced on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's website last Friday, ahead of the holiday weekend but have, until now, slipped under the radar.Worried owners should contact their local Ford dealer or Ford's customer relations line on 1800 503 672.In recent months Ford has been hit with a range of glitches that are damaging its hard-fought reputation.In March it was forced to recall 83,000 SX and SY Territorys to replace front brake hoses after widespread consumer reports of brake failures.The Herald Sun's Carsguide has uncovered a raft of quality problems at Broadmeadows after months of consumer complaints covering everything from brakes to rust and paint.The most recent concerns relate to front balljoint failures on high-mileage Territorys.In addition, Ford last month recalled its Focus and Mondeos to check problem with brake vacuum pumps.The recall for the LV Focus and MA Mondeo, built since last year, only affects those with a diesel engine.Ford says under certain conditions the supply of vacuum to the brake booster may be reduced causing a hard brake pedal and increase stopping distances.Ford is contacting known owners by mail.In March, Ford recalled more than 83,000 Territorys to fix a brake hose defect which was uncovered by Carsguide after complaints from readers.