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.

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 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.

IT IS time Ford recalled these cars and replaced the brake hoses to ensure the danger is eliminated. It's very fortunate no one has been killed as a result of these failures. A veteran of the industry, a brake expert, is astounded that it hasn't been the subject of a recall.

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.

WE ARE keeping the pressure on Ford to do something about it, and hopefully they will eventually realise they must have a recall. Ford president Marin Burela has promised us that he is having the problem investigated and we are eagerly awaiting the results of that investigation. Stay posted.

I COULDN'T agree more. You didn't 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 I'm 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've been highlighting this problem in the hope that Ford will see the light and do something.

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.