Ford Territory Problems

Being without a car for seven weeks is completely unacceptable, and their apparent reluctance to return calls makes it even worse. Talk to the ACCC and try to have them intervene on your behalf.

The early Territory was subject to a few issues that demand care when buying one now. The main one was the front suspension lower ball joints, which wear out relatively quickly and typically require replacement every 100,000 km or even less. Check the front suspension. The diff bushes are also a problem area; they also chop out quite quickly, so check those when you’re under the car. The automatic transmission can also be a source of trouble, and it’s an expensive item to replace, so pay close attention to the operation, gear changing etc., of the auto.

The transmission probably needs servicing at the least, perhaps even rebuilding. Have a mechanic check it.

750 kg with a trailer without brakes, or 2300 kg with a trailer that has brakes.

It would be a good idea to fit a transmission cooler, particularly if the caravan is a weighty one and the Territory will be working hard.

It’s hard for mechanics if they can’t observe the problem themselves. If it doesn’t make the noise when in their presence they really are in the dark in trying to find the cause. It could be in the front-end, perhaps bushes.

Even though Ford’s warranty has expired the car is still covered by the basic statutory warranty under our consumer law. You need to negotiate with Ford to get them to cover the cost of the repair. You should also check with your insurer to see if this is covered by the extended warranty.

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I am guessing it is a diesel. The diesel is known to blow at quite low kilometres and with no warning. Being just five years old, and having done so few kilometres I would approach Ford for help with the cost of repairs as a gesture of goodwill. They could argue that it is out of warranty, and that you bought it second hand, but I think you could argue that it is not reasonable to have an engine fail in these circumstances.

Without being able to see the extent of the wear and tear I can’t say, and there are so many things that can affect the wear on trim. In my view you won’t get anywhere with Ford on this issue.

All of the things you mention are common problems with the Territory, and the failure of the transmission at 120,000 km is a major one. Having to spend such a large amount of money to repair a car that has only done relatively few kilometres is unacceptable, so I would urge you to persist in trying to get Ford come to the party to cover at least part of the cost of repairs.

Having replaced the transmission it’s perhaps best to keep the car, particularly as it’s been a good one to date, but if you were concerned about the possibility of future costly repairs it would be best to get out of it.