Ford investigates Falcon & Territory brake issue

By Matt Brogan | March 11th, 2009

Updated 9am with statement from Ford Australia:

Ford Australia has launched a major safety investigation into a possible brake issue with its Falcon and Territory models.

There is a potential for thousands of vehicles to be affected by the problem, which can lead to a failure of half the braking system.

Many owners have reported failures of brake hoses on some BA & BF model Falcons with SX & SY Territory models also thought to be affected.

“It will be another three weeks before we complete testing,” Ford Australia president Martin Burela said. “We are convinced it is not a seriously dangerous problem.”

Any one experiencing issues with their vehicle’s braking system is urged to contact their Ford service department as soon as possible.

Ford Australia have this morning supported the investigation with the following statement:

Ford is aware of incidents that have been reported in the press recently and some incidents that have been reported by our customers. Although the brake system in the BA-BF Falcon and SX-SY Territory models contain dual hydraulic circuits (front and rear), which are isolated in the event of a leak in either circuit, the safety of our customers is our highest priority and we are treating this matter very seriously. Ford is currently undertaking a detailed investigation to better understand the issues raised and we are working to conclude those investigations as quickly as possible.

Cracker Barrel

Dodgy
Dan

LOL! Brakes not working IS a seriously dangerous problem haha.
Badwolf

calling 18 months ago.

Ford have been replacing the brake hoses on the effected vehicles on the cars next service,only cars not serviced by ford should still be effected.
http://skyline The Salesman

Quote “We are convinced it is not a seriously dangerous problem.”
Yeah, who needs to stop? You are a wuss if you complain about this little complication. If it worries you so much you can trade on a Yaris, it might catch fire but at least it stops.
Mick

Ok so I know this may be obvious to the general motoring public and not to Ford, but BRAKES ARE IMPORTANT!

I wonder what its going to take for Ford to realise this?
D

It’s not “the brakes” – as the article states, it is a brake hose, which is why half the braking system can fail (eg front right, left rear brakes). BA Falcon Sedans (not Wagon/Ute/Territory) were already recalled for this a , and my understanding is that they now believe the same issue may be occurring in the other variants of the vehicles.

There’s an article on CarAdvice about the previous (unofficial) recall.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/2892/ford-falcon-ba-bf-brake-hose-recall/
John of Perth

I wondered when this issue would finally get some press. BA Territory and four front brake hoses replaced over two years.

This suggests that it is not simply a question of a faulty batch of hoses, but the inability of the supplier perhaps to get it right or Ford Oz simply prepared to ‘take a chance’ and deplete existing hose stock.

Either scenario does not bode well for quality control and consumer protection
Jimmy

i know my old man has had massive problems with his ba futura’s brakes in the past. something is out of line, perhaps the discs on the front wheels. you notice a shuddering when you brake, and over time it gets worse and worse. eventually at high speed on highways or downhill the shuddering is quite noticable and off putting. he has had it taken in to get fixed at least 3 times for the same problem, and they just replace the brake pads and the cycle starts again. 6 months later it is back in the shops. all of this has come out of his pocket seeing as though it is out of warranty.
Pablo

Response to Jimmy – That happens on the majority of Falcons
B-Man

Jimmy,
What you described is a problem with the factory brake discs fitted to falcons. This has been a problem for years, since EF if my memory serves me correctly. The ford discs have a tendancy to warp after heavy application then becoming wet (like driving through a large puddle after coming off a freeway). To fix this you can either:
A) Have the dics machined. This costs about $60 and works a treat, but the discs can sometimes warp again.
B)Replace the standard discs with a good after-market job like DBA or simmilar. You’re probably looking around $200+ but you wont have to worry about warpage and the braking performance will be a lot better than the factory standards.
HAL

^ or you could just go and buy a car that doesn’t have crap brakes. Really, the comments above about these historical brake issues with the Falcon (& Territory) are a concern. The fact that there seems to have been a long standing brake issue (through several models by the sounds of it) is unacceptable. Ford is doing so many things right at the moment, but then go and spoil it all with this sort of sub-standard rubbish. Is it just a coincidence that these issues are only occuring in their Aussie made cars?
Andrew

Some credit for this investigation must go to Graham Smith of the Daily Telegraph, in the last month or so he has given the issue it’s fair share of publicity and pursual of solutions for readers.

I think it is good that Ford is actually launching an official investigation and not putting their head in the sand any longer, which is more than what can be said about some manufacturers past and present.
JEKYL & HYDE

the problems of having a in line six.sounds like a song – “nice donk,shame about the brakes”
Mike

What the hell does an Inline 6 have anything to do with the Brake Hose????
JEKYL & HYDE

mike,read jimmy,pablo and mike and get back to me…
Frontman

Also in defence of Ford Australia and as quoted in one publications articles about the “Critical” brake failures, “there has not any accidents todate atributed to this brake failure problem!!” Well sorry, but either the problem does need investigating because it doesn’t exist, or we have some very very good drivers in Australia that should be congratulated. Because, to my understanding anyway, if your brakes fail you are at an over 90% chance of having an accident.
WVB

Brake problems shouldn’t exist – period – in any car anywhere these days. Brakes arent exactly new technology.
Braking systems in terms of design and development is exhaustive and manufacture being simply straight forward. A modern ABS system with EBD or stability control has no excuses especially when its fitted to a car WITH A 5 STAR RATING!!!
I think the falcon’s ANCAP rating needs to be immediately rescindered as a lesson in dealing with durability and quality concerns.
Frontman

WVB BA > BF & Territory were never 5*. The FG is the 5* car!
WVB

^frontman, oops yes my mistake but it’s still annoying that these apparent basic problems crop up.
I wont hold my breath for the FG to begin reporting it……………..
Andrew M

WVB,
Seat belts arent exactlly new tech either but toyotas having problems with them.
Fuel tanks arent new tech and holden recently had recalls with them.

The issue is dodgy brake hoses.

I would say the FG will be safe as the front end design has changed meaning most probably the same design or batch of hoses are no longer compatible.
Also one would think ford at least knew something of the issue in time to be able to make sure the FG was scrutanised in the area
goodjjp

FK FORD
I fix cabs i remember 07 i change
10 ~20 brake hoses every week …;;
and now starting investigation…
gay…
Reckless

Im hoping someone can help me with my cars problem:

I own a BA Falcon sedan & had to have the brakes replaced on it approx 6 months ago.

I was advised that they had also replaced a part that was under a product recall (Hoses) whilst they worked on my car. Excellent news as I wasnt aware of the recall.

All was great with my car until I went on a longer drive than my usual weekly shopping trip thats 15kms. (I know I dont get out much)
I was travellng at approx 80kms p/h (not braking) when the steering wheel started to shudder & vibrate violently(going left to right) It was so bad even the back seat passengers felt the vibration. Ithought I had flat tyres on my 2 front tyres so pulled over, No flat tyres…. So started along my journey again…within 10 mins the same problem occurred.

It is only a intermitant problem, and it mainly occurs on hot days or drives more than 20kms in distance & when my speed is faster than 70km p/h for a period of time (so car is warmed up).
If I totally stop & turn my steering wheel left to right whilst my foot is on the brake the problem goes away for a short period of time….coincidence Im not sure.

Ive had it in to my local Ford Service centre 3 times now & of course as its a intermittant problem it never happens when they take it for a drive…..Nor can they work out what the problem is.

Has anyone got any ideas whats wrong with my beloved BA Falcon?

not impressed

have you considered taking it to another dealership? Or a non ford mechanic?

Reckless

Yes I have, but Id prefer to get it repaired under “re-work warranty” as Im not that cashed up at the moment as we have just moved into our own home a fortnight ago.

Additionally if they cant work it out on how to fix it well they can phone Ford Service H/O to get technical advice to fix it.

matt

my work BA started to do that… cept after time it did it constantly but around that time i got another job and never heard anything back about the steering issue, also to jimmy up there… haha yeah falcon brake’s are crap i put after market ones on and they were marginally better (but still warped after 20 000 kays) my local mechanic said these cars are just gettin to heavy for the size of the discs, which seems logical (they were just a cary over from the AU wernt they?) well glad ford is lookin at it finally after how long….

Paul

My 05 BA Futura started doing the same thing. For monthes I thought it was the tyres as it only happened at highway speeds.After 2 alignments and 3 wheel balances and rotations i ended up just putting up with this crazy wheel vibration that would come and go at highway speed only with no brake shudder at any other time. A couple of weeks ago i found that the front brakes are not releasing properly causing them to intermittently grab and over heat the discs setting off the vibration thru the steering wheel. Pistons and sliders are free and show no obvious reason for the brakes not releasing properly.

notimpressed

went for a drive down to the shops this morning in my BA, got back in, and on the way home, NO BRAKES. Only became aware of the recall when I jumped online to try and get a quote for fixing the brakes. Hmm this seems like it needs to be dealt with under the safety recall, sudden brake failure.. brilliant. As much as I love the falcons for the boot room, might be going back to the commodores
Gez

I had a COMPLETE brake failure two days ago due to a rear brake hose splitting. Very lucky I was able to avoid a serious accident. Car towed to dealer at my expense. Now they tell me that they’ll have to assess the problem and see if it falls under the recall banner. Not happy at all!I bought this BA a year ago from a dealer, surely they should have made sure it was done before selling the vehicle on to me?
Greg

My brakes completely failed on my BA XR6 Turbo 2 Aug 2011, lucky I was descending a hill on a country road no other vehicles, I used my handbrake to stop. My wife was driving the car with 18 month old child the day before. My mechanic said the cause was burst rear brake hose. I have owned this vehicle since new it has only 102000 kms on the clock. It was serviced regularly by Ford dealer until 54000 kms last service by ford dealer April 2007. My mechanic replaced brake fluids and bleed the system at 97000 kms. I have had the disks machined three times before replacing them at 97000 kms. I contacted Ford and was told this was not a recall but an in service issue, they told me that if I had continued to have my vehicle serviced by Ford the problem would have been fixed. They also said that they were not liable for the repair bill. I have lodge a complaint with consumer affairs. What is it going to take for Ford to recall all affected vehicles. A confirmed fatality! If this is not a safety issue I do not know what is.
Peter

Titanium AWD 2011
having spasmodic events of the brakes holding on after stopping and attempting to move on. one incident without applying the breaks and on a slight decline the Territory slowed to a stop w’out braking.
Peter
Peter

What about the front hoses? I’ve had both go on my 2003 BA (160Ks and 175Ks)without any warning signs. Extremely lucky, as on both occasions it happened when there were no other cars around. The handbrake is about as usefull as mammery glands on a bull. And don’t get me started on the front discs.