Ford Territory Problems

IT IS a disgrace and Ford should do something about it. A failure on such a vital component should simply not happen. 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 substantially diminished. One brake service centre told us it regularly saw failed brake hoses, usually front but also back on occasions, on Falcons and Territorys, but they're usually on high-kilometre cars such as taxis. A taxi operator told us they routinely replace the hoses on any BF Falcon they buy before it goes into service simply because of the high rate of hose failure. It is 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 also 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.

I DON'T doubt you are angry at having suffered such a scare, but your car has been fixed. Hopefully Ford is looking after other owners as well. Ford rightly won't take any notice of what you tell them about other owners' cars. That's for the respective owners to take up with the company and seek resolution. If you really want to take it further, consider a class action suit.

HAVE you checked the engine to see if it is coming from there? It sounds awfully like the engine itself, perhaps a faulty valve lifter, because it goes away when the engine warms up. An engine noise might sound like it's coming from under the dash.

KITS are available from the main LPG suppliers. I have driven a Tartarini injection system from Global Autogas Supplies. It drove well with no apparent problems. Other firms have similar systems available. There is one issue: the LPG tank usually goes inside the car, reducing interior room and eliminating the third seat.

THE front diff seals are a regular issue with the Territory, but I haven't heard of a problem with the oil pan seal. It is odd that it can't be fixed with a new seal, so it's worth looking at other possibilities. I would doubt that it's a pinhole in the block. The only thing you can do is to pressure Ford until they do something about it.

WE HAVE received several reports of rusty Territories since we published the first letter and it seems some are being repaired and others not. Let us know how you get on.

YOURS is a common experience. It's one thing to have problems with a car, but it's something else to have the company argue about fixing them. Maintain the rage. Keep up the pressure to have the car brought up to the condition you expect.

THANKS for the tip. Yours is the first report we've had of suspension and drive-shaft problems with the Territory. Perhaps other readers could let us know of their experiences with the car.

MANY Territory owners have responded to our call for information about their cars. It seems there could be a problem with rustproofing on the locally built crossover wagon. No doubt there will be questions about the effect of living near the sea when you approach Ford, so do your homework and be prepared to answer them.