Ford Territory 2009 Problems

START by identifying what it is you want from your car, then test drive each one and assess how well each meets your needs and wants. The X-Trail, Forester and Outback are all good choices, but the Outback is a little different to the Forester and X-Trail, as it's a Liberty that's been raised to give it some extra ground clearance. It doesn't ride as high as the other two, so wouldn't be as good if you want the visibility a high-driving position gives you. A test-drive would instantly reveal that.

I'D LIKE to say you can believe the dealer, but I'd be wanting to replace the brake hoses. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Fords have a split-circuit braking system that ensures you at least have front or rear brakes after a failure of either system. Owners reporting no brakes when a hose fails on a Falcon or a Territory may feel as though they have lost all brakes, but they do still have some braking to stop the car. If a hose does fail the pedal will go almost to the floor before you get any braking effect. Australian design rules require carmakers to demonstrate there is sufficient braking power to stop the car if either the front or rear brakes fail. That's not much consolation for the person at the wheel and it simply shouldn't happen. We are taking this up with Ford and pressing for a recall of affected vehicles.

THE Territory will do everything you want. It's not a four-wheel drive as such and won't go where a Patrol or a LandCruiser would, but it is quite capable off the beaten track. Ground clearance can be a problem in really rough going -- we grounded one in a deep wheel rut on a forest track, flattened the fuel tank, and knocked off the rear bumper on a steep climb when we tested it a couple of years ago. Despite all of that it kept going.