Hi Terry

Referring to your problem BA and Fords nation wide poor after sales.

My BA has the vibration at highway speed. Ford's first fix was to recalibrate the torque converter, fixed nothing. Next they replaced the tail shaft still no fix. Next they replaced the diff assembly. All this did was to change the speed at which the vibration occurred. Needless to say very disappointed to have the car returned with a different problem, raises the question about their professional capabilities.

Ford once again have the car, even had an engineer from Ford Melbourne drive it. All agree that there is a problem, still waiting for a fix. Should have kept the Laser!

I have a Ti Patrol 2004 model which I bought brand new. I knew that will be expensive to run on petrol so I decided to convert it to gas. Because my car was under warranty my gas unit had to be installed through a gas conversion company referred by Nissan. For the first 20000km I had no problems, since then the car hasn't stop backfiring. I am fed up with going to the mechanics all the time. They fix it for 2000-3000km and the same thing happens again.

Has anyone got a similar problem? Or am I the only unlucky one? Gerry

I recently purchased a WL Statesman, beautiful car but has some significant noise problems which I am hoping to get some feedback on. The engine is the 190 kw V6 which whines quite loudly at lows speeds or through reasonable acceleration. Holden have advised me that the whine is due to the timing chain in the engine and is a standard noise on all Holdens with similar engines made since the VZ i.e. the new 190 kw alloytec. (My previous VT had no such noise). Apparently even the new VE has a similar noise though it has been tamed slightly. They said you'll get use to it - we did!

The other noise is road noise at speeds above 80k's. The Holden mechanic said when I returned to complain that it was tyre noise emanating from the front wheels. He picked this even though in the test drive we never went over 40klms/hr. Two new front tyres later and guess what the noise is still there. To me it sounds like an air noise stemming from the cars aerodynamics (but heh I am definitely no mechanic). The noise is so loud that at 110k's I can still hear it even after cranking the stereo up to ear piercing volumes.

Does anyone have similar issues - can you help!

Hi Steven.

The front gravel tray as you mentioned on the first car is secured into place with several metal screws and two scrivets. If it was secured correctly in the first place there certainly would not be an issue with it falling off. Perhaps there has been some work done in this area and not re-attached correctly. I have also noted that many have underbody damage from low driveways... etc... Sometimes tearing them from the screws.

The same basically goes for the wheel arch trims. Was it the driver's side? Perhaps when a bonnet cable was replaced the trim was not re-secured correctly, as there are several screws / scrivets / Christmas trees holding them in place. This trim is removed to correctly replace the bonnet cable.

As in previous posts, the park brake is a "park" brake and is not to be applied while the vehicle is moving. The brake shoes are not designed to stop the car at any time, only to hold it once it is stopped. If it is only used in this manner it will not generally give a problem. Previous owner not aware? Dismantle, clean, deglaze, lube pivot points, adjust and assemble is required. (Hopefully shoes are OK, not burnt)

The bonnet cable issue is popular. The bonnet catch should be adjusted and lubricated to provide less strain on the release lever. As the lever is plastic (just like everybody else's) it is however secured to the plastic fuse box. This should be kept in mind when releasing the bonnet. If the bonnet does not release "easily" with the lever, get a second person to carefully push the bonnet to help release it then adjust/lube the catch.
Hope this helps in some way ... Dav.

Found an interesting bit of information this week that may help some Falcon owners. Ford are asking owners of Ford Falcons from Model-BA September 2002 to BF Mark 2 released last March to bring them in to a dealership to have " ... the rear brake hoses replaced at no cost."
Apparently, Ford are NOT calling it a 'recall', rather a 'safety program'!

Article in the Sydney Morning Herald - 25 May 2007:
'Ford detects brake problem (Andra Jackson, The Sydney Morning Herald, 25/05/07)

The Ford Motor company is replacing brake hoses on its popular BF and BA Falcon models Australia-wide after a brake durability problem was detected. Owners of the models are being asked to bring their cars into Ford dealerships "as a matter of course" to have the rear brakes hose replaced at no cost.

Ford public affairs spokesman Edward Finn said about 200,000 cars are involved, covering the Falcon range from the BA which came on the market in September 2002 to the BF Mark 2 which was released last March.

"The rear brake hoses on certain sedan models are being replaced because in certain circumstances they wear excessively and the brakes lose their operating effectiveness," Mr Finn said.

He stressed the brake replacements which began this week are taking place as a safety program and are not a recall. So far the problem has been detected in around 1000 cars. The brake problem will be noticeable, and accompanied by a warning light, but will still allow the car to stop within the prescribed distance, Mr Finn said.

The problem of excessive wear on the brake lining is believed to stem from the high mileage the vehicles tend to be put to over different road surfaces. Another 20,000 vehicles in New Zealand will also be subjected for brake replacements.'

Hope this helps.
Best wishes, Andrew

I had central locking fitted to my car when I bought it new in 2002, as it was not standard then. In August 2006 I had a service and asked if the central locking for the passenger door could be repaired, the repair lasted two days. I returned the car and was told new parts would have to be ordered. Heard nothing so in November I rang the dealership to ask on the progress; 'parts still on back order' they said. Due to family dramas I could not get back to them until April '07 and was greeted with a blank look regarding the whole problem.

The up shot now is that because the central locking was fittd 'after market' there was only a 12 month warranty, no mention of that in August 2006. They now want $269.00 to fix the problem, anyone out there got any ideas on what I can do next.

Car is a XR6 manual purchased 2nd hand with only 9,000 kms from Phil McCarrol. From day 1, car has had clunky driveline back lash when at slow speeds and down shifting gears. What's worse is that when the cruise control is on the car shudders and clunks that bad it is dangerous to use. Returned it to Ford 3 times before they said there was a problem.

They rebuilt the diff and replaced a CV shaft but the problem still exists. Ford tells me that this is a common characteristic in manuals with IRS and the backlash is more tolerable on these models and there is nothing more they can do. How can you sell a vehicle that has cruise control when it is impossible to use, and then claim it's a common characteristic? The car now has a vibration at highway speed which seems as if the tail shaft is mis-aligned and un-balanced since the diff was worked on. I got no resolution from MacArthur Ford, Ford customer relations centre or Ford extended warranty. Simply told that's how the manuals are.

Absolutely disgusted have been staunch Ford fan all my life, even rebuilt and restored my own show car 351 XE which I have won several trophies for, and they insult me and my intelligence with absolute **** and negligence. A Ford fan I will stay, for early models like XY GT stuff made with pride! My advice don't buy ext warranty - you're wasting your time and money, it's not worth the ink it's printed in.

My wife and I had been looking for a quality second hand BA for some time. We found one in Sydney, as we drove down the road the plastic under the front bumper came off at about 60kph with the salesmen in car. We did not buy that car.

We found one in our home town and bought it. About two months after the same thing happened, but this time the plastic under wheel arch and about 100kph causing about $2000 damage.

Warranty won't cover it and dealership accused me of hitting something. Please, what can I do other then use my insurance.

Brake not working, car rolls about three foot before stopping. Bonnet release has broken twice.

Had LS model previously ... if you have one get rid of it now! Many problems will happen! If she is good now trade her in for a new Kia Carnival. The new Kia has a much better engine and mine has been good so far - 27000km - no complaints (knock on wood)

Kerry,

Do not buy a 307. We have one that has been an ongoing problem. It will be going back to Regan motors tomorrow for the fourth time with a catalytic problem which they can not fix. The on board computer tells them that it's been misfiring but they can not fix it. It was last in on Friday, and on Saturday, same problem. Their response is to re set the computer, and change the spark plugs.

We will be persistent, but if any other owners read this and can assist, please do so.

Thanks. Russ

We are looking to purchase a new used car from Trinity Ford Used Cars Cairns. Can anyone with info about these guys please let us know and anything regarding a Nissan Maxima 2003 Ti-L sedan.

Anything to look for? Thank you

Tiffany,

I just had the same problem with my 2005 Honda Touring Edition. I received the same story from the Honda dealership about the "old pebble" damage (not covered under the warranty because it was caused by an "outside agency" and not a defect). My bill came to $655.00 of which I paid my $250.00 deductible as per my car insurance agreement. I went to the "Mr. Grille" website and found that they make a heavy gauge aluminum grille that fits over the existing grille on the van. The cost is $106.00 which includes shipping. Mr. Grille states that it is an "easy installation", however, that is not true. I had the Honda dealer install the grille and even with their lift it took them about 45 minutes to install it. Mr. Grille sends along some small black tie wraps that really do not do the job. I suggest some heavier duty tie wraps when attaching the grille. The Honda service department was kind enough to not charge me for the installation.

I think the two pages of very negative blogs that I gave them, (about this particular problem) may have prompted them not to charge me. All of the blogs I have read seem to think that it is a Honda design flaw or a cheaper a/c condenser than the earlier models. One last note about the new grille...it attaches over the grille that is on the van. You will have to remove the original license plate mounting bracket and use molybolts to attach the license plate above the new grille. I can send you a photo should you desire. Good luck to you on your quest.

Regards

To cut a long story short: I'm not complaining about the Auto but the guy who re-built it. He claims he is an acclaimed Transmission re-builder. I had my auto rebuilt by him at $3,300. Got the car back after a week with the same problem. He said to keep an eye on it and let him know - guess what it blew up. He then told me he put a 2nd hand auto in. I told him I want a re-fund but all he can come up with was $800.

I lodged a complaint and had a hearing but lost as he was represented by his accountant and the Judge said I was not an engineer. Had to accept the money providing I service the car at his Dukes place. I gave him a quote for 4 shockers for @$600 that he can get for me over the counter. He said he can get them for $1080 … What the ... off I went to see a solicitor. After a long dispute I got the shocks with the solicitor's bill.

Not long after, the park switch broke, a new one is over $400. Got one second hand. Pulled apart the old one and guess what - it had been freshly glued back together. Under any circumstances don't even walk past Dukes Autos, Smith St Kensington.

I have the same issue. AC failed this week, and the dealership just called with the exact same diagnosis, rock or foreign object has pierced the AC condenser and it is not covered by warranty due to being road damage. I found that hard to believe and searched for this, finding this posting. Let me know how your claim proceeds, as I plan to pursue this with Honda as well.

To all current Freelander owners - sell now. To potential owners, unless you like to throw your money away don't even consider one. My story of woe along with many other peoples. The engine problem that appears to plague this car at between 50 and 100 thousand kls.

I purchased a 2000 1.8 K series petrol Freelander in 2003 for a drive out price of $25,000 needing a car with some space for myself, my son and our dog. It has recently just had the head gasket blow at 77,000 klms which has caused irreversible damage to the engine. I was quoted around $12,000 to fix it, but the motor that will be supplied is the same type so I could face the problem all over again.

The book price to trade it in is about $8,000 so even if I could afford that financially (and who can) it wouldn't be viable and I would be allowing another car dealer to on sell the problem to another member of the public. So I am left with no option other than to get about $2,000 AS IS. I still owe $7,000 on it and I now also have to get finance for another car. There is obviously an issue with this engine and Landrover should have at least some liability over it. It is leaving people in financial dire straights all over the place.

Just wanted to say I took my vehicle to the Toyota service department for my first service and I have never felt so at home. All the the staff in the office are fantastic, very well recommended to any type of vehicle to go to this department. Burnie and Nichole looked after my vehicle and did a great job. They spend a lot of time on the customer needs and get an a+++++.

I too have the same problem with a KIA Carnival. Can you please advise of costs involved and if KIA is coming to the party.

I purchased my 2002 Astra "brand new" late June 2002. I love my little car apart from the many problems I've had along the way ... I'm not a rough driver and service my car at all it's scheduled times.

I've had my ignition replaced at only few thousand kilometres after purchase, central locking problem, but these were both easily fixed straight away under warranty.

3 years of age and only 40,000km, I had a loud rattle noise coming from my engine, took it to Holden they said it was the idle tensioner. They replaced that and I drove it away, still had the same noise and rattle. I took it back they seemed to think it was the alternator, but this was a common problem with the Astra's apparently and there wasn't any alternators anywhere in Australia at the time. What sort of manufacturer is Holden if you can't get parts? Holden quoted my a rough figure of $800 to replace the alternator. I went away and thought about it.

I started to do my own search for a new alternator as I couldn't just leave my poor car like this. I hit eBay, to my surprise there was one brand new alternator in its original box, never been used, exactly the part number I needed. I was so lucky to purchase it for only $150 to my door. Got someone to install it for me and it ran like a dream after that, quiet as anything and no noise.

Oh you can't buy wiper blades anywhere apart from your Holden dealership.

5 years old and only 65,000kms ... more problems.
The emissions light come on, got stuck, wouldn't start straight away, when it did start it was as slow as a snail, no power. I rang Holden but they couldn't look at it until the next day. Although the light was still on, it was fine to drive on the way home, weird!

Took it to Holden the next day, they said there was a fault with the crank sensor, they replaced it. But at the same time I asked them to check out a very loud tapping noise coming from the engine. This only happens when the engine is warm but at the time it didn't make the noise. But to me it sounds like it's coming from the automatic transmission because it mainly does it when it's in drive and park. Lately it's becoming more often, I took it for a drive and then went down to let them hear what I was on about, and yeah they have never heard anything like it before. Booked it in a week ago and still waiting to hear back what there going to do.

So I'm yet to see how much my car is going to cost to get fixed. Thinking a few thousand. So yeah I think I've got a bit of a lemon. You think when you purchase a brand new car that you're not going to have any problems, well at least until after 100,000km.

Does any one know how to rectify a fault with the radio on the 07 Vectra. The fault is the volume turns to minimum each time the ignition is turned on.

I've had my Peugeot 206 for approx 5yrs now and it's been such an unpleasant car to drive. I bought the automatic transmission version. As soon as I drove the car out of the showroom the car had problems straight away. It had what I have been told engine flair. Which is when you take off from a stationary position the engine would over rev and not go anywhere. Took it back to Peugeot and they fixed it.

Next problem I had was the head gasket needed replacing which I had done under warranty and all this within the first year. The brakes wear out too quick and constantly need changing. The second problem I had was that the way they have designed the gear shift arm that changes the vehicle from reverse to drive was that it was rubbing on some wiring under the battery enclosure which over time caused the wires to completely break away from the battery contact point. Lucky my mate is a mechanic and he located and fixed the problem for a bottle of whisky.

It's in its fifth year of existence now and the head gasket is being replaced yet again by my mate. My mate who now tells me that not only does the head gasket need replacing but the engine is wearing out and will need to be rebuilt if I want to keep the car. He said the engine probably has worn out because Peugeot didn't replace the head gasket properly the first time which has lead to engine wear five years down the track.

The automatic transmission in this vehicle is the worst designed transmission if ever. Peugeot have what is called an engine break safety system. Basically the car is meant to drive like a manual in that when you slow own it gears down and pulls the car up. That's all well and good but I found myself constantly fighting against this engine break as the vehicle would shuffle between gears trying to find the right gear to sit in so I constantly had my foot on the execrator sitting just over 60kph to keep it in gear. I always felt like I was driving with the hand brake on. Peugeot make great looking vehicles but in my opinion they wear out too quickly and drive like ****.

Hope this helps.

I have recently brought my car to the Goulburn Toyota for service. At the time I paid, I asked whether the book has been stamped. They said it has been stamped and a girl got my money and brought me to the car, which she brought me to the wrong direction at the first place.

Anyway, I finally got back to my car, looked if they have stamped the book. Guess what? No. Then I asked them to stamp at the office and drove the car back home, 3 scratches were noticed above the rear wheel of the driver side. The engine was not tuned.

The next day we rang, the service manager said they don't do engine tune up at 6-months or 10k service and said he will come and have a look the next day. This is now the week after and has anyone looked at the scratches? No. I will not go back and I am quite happy to buy another Toyota, but definitely not from Goulburn Toyota!

I bought my Outback from Subaru Penrith when it was 3 years old. Now at 6 and 132000k, I'm really pleased with it in all respects. I found Subaru Penrith to be honest and effective with servicing, though I can't comment on their attitude to warranty, as I had no warranty claims at all. I like this car much better than any I've owned in the last 50 odd years, and, at this time would certainly buy another Subaru.

Hi Team,

Would like some feedback on the new Astra diesel. Info like fuel economy and any faults with the diesel engine.

I understand there have been a few problems with previous models but what about the new generation models.

Thanks all. Neil.

I was recently in a head on collision in my six weeks old Mazda 3 from which I was luckily able to walk away. It was the Mazda's air bag and sturdy construction that saved my life. I can't wait for my new Mazda and feel confident that I have purchased a very safe car.