Ford Problems

147,000 km out of a clutch when you’re towing every day is a pretty good result, so I wouldn’t complain about that. There’s very little difference in terms of towing between and auto and a manual, but by rights you should have had an auto serviced twice in the distance you’ve done in the Courier and that servicing would have been more expensive than the cost of replacing the clutch in your manual.

It’s probably due to a connection getting wet while you’re washing it; I doubt it’s anything to be too concerned about.

It could be interference from other sources, such as phone towers, but normally you would find that it happens at the same place every time, and when it does you should be able to see a phone tower or something like that nearby. If it happens randomly I would look for some other cause. The immobilizer is a good place to start, it’s possible that it’s not communicating with the car’s computer, but it’s a very difficult problem for a dealer to diagnose when the problem can’t be replicated. Perhaps also consult a locksmith.

It’s obviously frustrating and of course will affect the resale value when you come to move it on. There’s not much you can do about it; perhaps you could consult the consumer affairs people to get their opinion on whether Nissan should provide some compensation for what would seem to be an issue with their cars. One way of reducing the wear on seats is to slide the seat back before getting out, that way you won’t rub the seat as you exit. It’s the same when you get in, if the seat has already been slid back you won’t rub across the bolster as you enter, and of course you then have to slide the seat forward to your normal driving position.

The easiest way of fixing it is to buy a new badge, which will come with double-sided tape already applied and ready to affix to the body, but if you don’t want to do that just use some double-sided tape, which can be bought at hardware stores or office suppliers. Using glues would damage to paint.

It could well be that the discs are warping because the brakes are not fully releasing when you take your foot off the pedal. Check the vacuum booster, they are a known problem, and Ford used two different boosters with different rod lengths and it's important to get the one with the correct rod length for your car.

We haven’t had other reports of a problem with fifth gear in the Ranger, but we have had reports of clutch problems with the Ranger and the Mazda BT-50, as we have with a number of one-tonne utes. No one has yet to admit to a fault unfortunately, so you’re on your own should your clutch fail.

The V6 Escape is renowned for its thirst, but a 35 per cent increase in consumption when you run the air con does seem excessive. Have the air-conditioning system checked to make sure it is charged, check the compressor to make sure it is not faulty, and have an air-con specialist check the whole system.

You could try one of the independent Mustang importers who I'm sure could help you out, alternatively you could hit the net and import the parts from the USA yourself.

No we haven't heard of this issue before, but it clearly sounds dangerous and the treatment you have received at both dealer and company level appears appalling. I would recommend you take command of the situation and demand that it be fixed. Leave the car with the dealer until they take whatever action is required to fix the problem. It is not acceptable for the dealer, or Ford, to say they can't fix it. If, indeed, they can't fix it they should take it back and give you a new car. You could also test the new national consumer laws on the basis that the product Ford has sold you is unfit for purpose.