Ford Problems

You're right, they should have advised you that they wanted to test drive your car before actually doing it and hoping you wouldn't notice. I would speak to the dealer principal and express your displeasure at the treatment you receive and seek some form of compensation from him.

I would continue to pressure the dealer, ask to see the company representative who assessed your car and took the photos, and approach Ford directly through its Customer Assistance Service.

We have had lots of reports of issues with the Territory, but we haven't had reports of wheel bearing problems. That you have had three in three years would suggest that it's a problem with your vehicle, and it's perhaps worth having it closely checked for a manufacturing fault.

I don't see the point of balancing the fronts only, I would certainly balance all four. You'll feel an out-of-balance tyre whichever wheel it's fitted to.

It's a common problem with the Territory and to my knowledge Ford hasn't come to the party with the cost of repairs, unlike the front ball joints when they did provide some relief for owners.

It's usually a sign of a problem with the catalytic converter in the exhaust, but before doing anything else I would change the brand of fuel you're using and see if that has any effect on it.

Those old Fords are renowned for failing body ECUs, but there would have to be an underlying problem to cause three failures in quick succession like that, so I would call in an auto electrician to sort it out.

Rust like yours was a regular problem with the Territory, but you need to have a close look at what is actually covered under the "perforation" protection. If the panel isn't perforated, as I suspect, you're probably not covered. But that shouldn't stop you from pursuing Ford for a new bonnet.

It's not a problem with the bearings, there is something else wrong, perhaps with the axle as your mechanic has suggested.

The advice she has received is clearly rubbish. If as you say the car is running well, with no suggestion of a problem, she should keep servicing it as she has, and keep on driving it.