Ford Territory 2004 Problems

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

The recall affects 83,534 Territorys in Australia, 7739 in New Zealand, 3612 in South Africa and about 60 in Thailand and Brunei.Details of the defect were uncovered by Carsguide after more than 15 customers reported brake failures to our Ask Smithy guru, Graham Smith.Ask Smithy, Daily Telegraph, March 27, 2009.Carsguide answers your questions about the Ford Territory recallThe recall affects the bulk of Territorys on the road, built between February 1 2004 and December 31, 2008.Territory Turbo, Territory Ghia Turbo and the FPV F6X are not included in the recall.Ford Australia spokeswoman, Sinead McAlary, said the problem had affected less than 2 per cent of vehicles but the company was recalling most Territorys to replace the hosesMcAlary said the issue was isolated to the Territory and did not affect Falcon models.The problem relates to the front brake hose, which can wear through, leading to leaking brake fluid that could render the brakes almost useless.Ford is fitting all Territorys with replacement hoses that are stronger and longer, McAlary said.An official Ford statement said that the the rear braking system will still bring the vehicle to a halt within Australian Design Rule requirements. If the vehicle continues to be operated in this condition, a warning light will appear on the instrument cluster to alert the driver that the vehicle's braking system requires attention, the statement said.McAlary said that a Ford investigation had shown that a combination of high mileage on the vehicles, along with frequent cornering at full steering lock, could lead to a problem with the brakes.She said any customers with concerns are advised to contact their nearest Ford Dealer to make arrangements to have their vehicle rectified.The front brake hoses will be replaced free of charge.Related stories:First look: 2009 Ford TerritoryToyota Kluger Vs Ford TerritoryGOT A PROBLEM WITH YOUR CAR? - Ask 'The Guide'

Ford is recalling its popular Ford Territory to fix a potentially dangerous brake defect.Details of the defect were uncovered by Carsguide after more than 15 customers reported brake failures to our Ask Smithy guru, Graham Smith.Read the letters below...Territorial disputeLast year we bought a 2004 Ford Territory, which has suffered numerous problems. The rear-view mirror has been replaced twice, the bonnet needs two people to help open it, the boot door has trouble closing, the key lock worked intermittently and now doesn't work at all, and the rear driver's side window has stopped working. Last week a brake line ruptured and my foot went to the floor as I applied the brakes. I was close to home and used my handbrake to get home safely. Ford Australia will not cover the cost of the part replacement, as it is no longer under warranty and say it is due to ``wear and tear'', nota manufacturing fault. The car has done 64,000km. I believe this is a real safety issue and should be addressed. I understand this is not an isolated incident and has occurred on many occasions. Something should be done. Ford should not be able to get away with this.All the problems you have had with the Territory should be fixed, and many of them seem like this could be done with proper adjustment. But the brake line failure is a major concern, a safety issue as you say, and should not fail in any situation unless damaged through abuse in some way, which seems unlikely. Keep pressing Ford until you get help.Ford brakes againHow lucky some people are to have had only one broken hose in a Ford Territory. In April 2007 (54,000km), a hose burst on my right-hand side front and the pedal went straight to the ground when I was doing less than 30km/h, and the vehicle came to an ungraceful stop, up the road. In January 2008 (71,000km) the same thing happened to the left-hand side front. I was going slowly and was lucky to stop without hitting anything. Ford arranged towing and repairs, but this is serious. One day someone will be doing 100km/h and need to stop. We will read of a ``tragic accident'' that's taken a life.It is time Ford recalled and replaced the brake hoses on all these cars to ensure the danger is eliminated. It's fortunate that no one has been killed or injured as a result of these failures. A veteran brake expert is astounded that it hasn't been the subject of a recall.Ford brake issueI know two people who have suffered broken brake hoses on their Ford Territories, the same as a Carsguide reader reported. One had a complete brake failure in the middle of a school zone. She had the presence of mind to pull on the handbrake to stop before hitting cars in front that were picking up children. The dealership and Ford Australia refused to fix the hoses free of charge, claiming the hoses burst due to normal wear and tear; both cars had done between 60,000-64,000km. In the end the dealership gave them a refund for the repairs. I'm concerned that someone could die as a result of this problem and Ford and people in the industry who know just keep sweeping it under the carpet.Ford should do something about it, as you say. A failure on such a vital safety component should not happen, and it shouldn't cause a complete brake failure as you say happened to one of your friends. The failure of one brake hose will cause the loss of braking in one system, but you should still have the braking effect of the second system, even if it is diminished. One brake service centre told us they regularly see failed brake hoses, usually front but also back on occasions, on Falcons and Territories, but they're usually on high-mileage cars like taxis. A taxi operator told us they routinely replace the hoses on any BF Falcon they buy before it goes into service because of the high rate of failure on the hoses. It's claimed by people in the trade that Ford designed the hoses too short and they are under tension when installed. The aftermarket, and we believe now the Ford replacements, are a little longer and don't have the problem. It should have been a recall campaign and Ford should have fixed all cars.Q: I have been eagerly reading the stories of failed brake hoses on Fords and thought I would add my experience to the saga. We had a problem with a brake hose on our Territory, and as a result my wife hit another car from behind. The brake hose blew and half the braking system simply failed. Fortunately no one was injured but it obviously could've been a lot worse, especially if it was a pedestrian she was avoiding. Our dealer was very cooperative and advised, both verbally and in writing that the crash was due to the faulty hose as it blew from the inside, which should never happen. Talking to Ford directly was a totally different experience. They started off sounding nice, but as soon as I described the problem they became very cold and guarded in what they were saying. Their response was very scripted and no way were they admitting any liability. The reason I called them was to advise them of the problem and also that I don't think I should be financially out of pocket because it wasn't in any way mine or my wife's fault. I'm not just talking about the cost of fixing the brakes but my excess and increased premium of car insurance. Every time I thought about it, I couldn't stomach the thought of us having to pay when someone else was at fault. After a couple of calls, Ford said they weren't obliged to pay because the car was out of warranty by a few months, but they would pay for replacing the hose. I asked why I should be paying for the excess and extra premium when the fault was theirs. I was advised that since the car was out of warranty it wasn't their responsibility! I have since sought legal advice and they are wrong. We've been meaning to formally write to Ford, but thought we wouldn't get anywhere. My lawyer said taking legal action wouldn't be worth it, but there's a principle at stake here. At the end of the day, I will always ask why am I paying for something that wasn't my fault. I just hope I don't read about any death and/or injury due to a Ford brake hose failure it's already happened? I've been a Ford man all my life but now all of a sudden, Holden and Toyotas are looking great!!!A: I couldnt agree more. You didnt fit the faulty part to your car, Ford did and they should be responsible for the whole cost, not just the cost of a new brake hose. That you have a letter from the dealer placing the blame on the hose puts you in a strong position legally, and Im sure you would win if you went to court. But as your lawyer said it will cost plenty to go to court, and there is always the chance Ford will come along with better lawyers and argue their way out of it, leaving you with the bill. Ford is banking on you doing nothing, as most of us do in a similar situation, and they will get away with it. We have been highlighting this problem in the hope that Ford will see the light and do something about it.Q: After reading your stories in the Telegraph about Falcon brake hose failures I thought I would give my local dealer a ring. After a quick check they told me my car could be affected and they booked it in to have the hoses replaced. They replaced all four hoses. It was done without question and with a smile. There was no charge and I couldnt be happier.A: It's great that you are happy, but you had to ask. If you hadn't read about the problem in the Tele 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. If I was in your shoes I would have been angry with Ford for letting me and my family drive around with a potentially dangerous flaw in it. I also note with interest that the dealer replaced all brake hoses, as some are just changing the rear hoses. Its just another example of the inconsistent approach by Ford and its dealers.Q: I have a BA Falcon and have been reading about brake line failure. What are the chances of this happening to mine? Are the front and rear brakes separate, if one goes will I still have the other or if the hoses burst will I be left with nothing? Also, should I be proactive and get something done now to prevent this happening???A: The chances are high enough that you should do something about it. Ford president Marin Burela has advised all Falcon owners who are concerned about the problem to go to their local Ford dealer and have their car checked. I would expect that your car will be one of those affected and the Ford dealer will replace the rear brake hoses at the very minimum, although I dont believe that will fully address the problem. If a brake hose fails you shouldnt lose all braking as the front and rear brake circuits are independent and the failure of one or the other wont cause you to lose all braking.Q: The saga over the Ford brake hose failures reminds me of the time a noted European car importer undertook to replace noisy final drives on their vehicles during routine servicing. An engineer from the manufacturer test drove the vehicle and authorized the repair if it was felt to be outside the acceptable noise range. In some instances this was done without the owners knowledge. Consumer Affairs stepped in after an irate owner that had paid big dollars to have his differential repaired found out he was disadvantaged because he chose not to have his car serviced by an authorized dealer. The importer was forced to notify all owners of that particular model that this road test and repair was available regardless of servicing arrangements. Perhaps a disgruntled Ford owner should fire off a letter to the Consumer Affairs office with a copy to the Minister and his local Member.A: Good idea. I would urge disgruntled Falcon owners to contact Consumer Affairs as I think Falcon owners who choose not to have their cars serviced by Ford dealers are being discriminated against, and Im sure that is against the law. Related stories: Ford Territory recall: Q&A Ford Territory recall - carsguide.com.auFirst look: 2009 Ford TerritoryToyota Kluger Vs Ford Territory   

Ford’s decision to build an all-new car in the Territory was one of the bravest made by a car company involved in the local industry. Thankfully for those involved it proved an exceptionally good decision, but had it gone wrong it could easily have spelt the end for Ford in Australia as we know it.The decision is credited to Geoff Polites, then the boss of Ford Australia who had brought the company back from the brink after suffering an alarming sales slump through the years of the controversial AU Falcon.Polites made a number of brave decisions while heading Ford, his gamble to invest heavily in BA instead of doing a simple cosmetic makeover of the AU being the first. That one worked a treat and the Falcon is now back in the game, and it can only be assumed that it gave him the confidence to push ahead with the Territory.The Territory shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone listening to Polites at his monthly briefings when he took every opportunity to talk up the success of SUVs. He could see that private car buyers were turning their backs on the traditional sedans and wagons and buying more and more four-wheel drives instead. From there it wasn’t a huge step to make the decision to build one of his own.MODEL WATCH The formula Ford followed for building the Territory isn’t a new one. SUVs have been a regular part of the automotive diet for several years, and Ford has built plenty of them in other parts of the world.One difference, a bold one at that, is that Ford decided to build a two-wheel drive version as well as the traditional four-wheel drive wagon. Polites recognised that many SUV buyers really just wanted a high riding, roomy station wagon for the perceived benefits of being able to see the road better and weren’t interested in going off the black top.Apart from the drive train the Territory didn’t have much in common with the Falcon, it was fundamentally a new car from the ground up.It rolled on a longer wheelbase than the Falcon, but was shorter in length and was much taller. Its shape was neat and clean, its lines uncluttered and purposeful, overall it was a neat looking wagon that fitted the new genre perfectly.Inside it was roomy with comfortable accommodation for five in standard form, but up to seven adults with the optional third row, and plenty of space for everything a family needs to take with them when venturing out in the big wide world.There was a host of natty little storage bins, cup holders and pockets to take small bits and pieces that might be needed while on the road, and the list of standard features was comprehensive.Mechanically the Territory was similar to the BA Falcon. It had the same 182 kW 4.0-litre double overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine for power, the same four-speed automatic transmission with sequential sports shift and the choice of either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.While it rode higher than the Falcon the suspension was similar, the Territory boasting independent front suspension with the Falcon’s control blade independent rear. Brakes were disc front and rear with anti-skid electronics, traction control and grade control for offroad safety.The TX paved the way to the new Territory, but it still had plenty of standard features an owner could boast about. There was air-conditioning, trip computer, adjustable pedals, power windows, cloth trim, CD player and remote central locking. For more there was the TS, which also came with dual climate control air, cruise, rear cargo shelf, velour trim, six-CD stacker and alloy wheels. Step up to the range-topping Ghia and you also drove away holding a leather-wrapped steering wheel, seated on leather trimmed power driver’s seat looking into an auto dimming rear view mirror.IN THE SHOP Being barely two years old the Territory is still in its infancy so there’s not much to report from the field. Few will have been driven off road, certainly the two-wheel drive cars will have stuck to the black top, but it’s worth checking underneath four-wheel drives for any damage that might have been sustained by driving off road. When Cars Guide tested one shortly after its release the fuel tank guard was damaged from grounding in a rut on a bush track and a section of the rear bumper was dislodged when caught on the road while attempting a steep climb.There’s plenty of choice on the market so it’s well worth being choosey and walking away from a car that shows the signs of offroad use. They’re also used as family cars so look for damage to trim and interior fittings caused by kids bored during the journey. Being favoured for family transport look for dings and dents from the daily shopping centre car park grand prix.Some owners are concerned about the fuel consumption and looking to convert to dual-fuel. Ford doesn’t offer a system, but there are aftermarket systems available to convert the Territory to dual-fuel to save on running costs. Later reports are that the Territory suffered failure of the front suspension lower control arm ball joints, and there are a number of worrying reports of brake hoses failing.IN A CRASH The concern with high riding cars is that the higher centre of gravity means sloppier handling, but the Territory rides and handles quite well with no obvious problems because of the higher ride. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS anti-skid and brake force distribution electronics, power steering and independent suspension make an impressive primary safety package for crash avoidance. All models boast dual front airbags, but with side curtain airbags the TS and Ghia offer superior secondary crash protection.LOOK FOR • car park dings and scratches• underbody damage from offroad usage• good visibility from high driving position• clean simple styling• room for up to seven• generally reliable engine and gearbox• can be converted to dual-fuelTHE BOTTOM LINERoomy reliable wagon with proven Falcon mechanicals makes the Territory an attractive family package.RATING 75/100