Ford Territory Problems

It’s not common, so I would suggest you could have a problem with the LPG system. The LPG mixture could be off causing the converter to run hot or foul, or it could be backfiring and destroying the converter’s innards.

While I'm sure Ford would deny it I reckon the global financial crisis has caused a rethink of the policy on stocking spares. All carmakers run their production on a "just in time" basis, that is the parts arrive on the production line just in time to be fitted to the cars. I reckon they are also thinking the same way when it comes to spares. I would guess the parts are being held by the suppliers and only delivered when needed. I can understand your frustration; the service you have received is not good enough.

Without being able to hear the noise you complain of it's hard to say what it might be, but the possibilities are valve lifters or piston slap. Because your dealer and Ford have been unhelpful, the dealer seems to have wiped their hands of the problem, seek independent advice from a reputable mechanic and take that advice back to the dealer in the hope they will address your concern.

I agree, high transmission fluid temperatures are the fundamental cause of the problem, and once the transmission fluid is burnt it needs to be replaced. Fitting an external cooler is usually enough to keep the temperatures under control.

Diffs and diff mounting bushes are known problems with the Territory, but I’m not aware that Ford has been replacing them free of charge. I would still advise you to contact your Ford dealer and request assistance in fixing the problems.

It could be that the starter gear and the ring gear it engages are not mating properly; it could be that either is damaged. It could be that the solenoid on the starter is not throwing the pinion gear with sufficient power to cleanly engage the ring gear. Have the starter removed and checked, at the same time the mechanic should be able to check the ring gear for damage, and check the solenoid on the starter.

It is quite common on the Territory; we’ve had plenty of reports of it happening. Past estimates suggest it costs $400-$600 to do the bushes.

Yes, you can. You should see improved performance and better fuel economy, hopefully enough to offset the higher price of the petrol.

The vibration is possibly a problem with the front drive shafts, the clonk, clonk noise most likely the front ball joints.

By the sound of it the airbags should have deployed in a crash as severe as you describe, but you could only determine that by having an expert inspect the wreck and the sensors etc.