2005 Ford Territory Ghia Warranty Complaint

By Alborz Fallah | August 31st, 2007

2005 Ford Territory Ghia Warranty Complaint

Name: Kevin N
Car Make: FORD
Car Model: Territory Ghia AWD
Year of Manufacture: 2005

Warranty Complaint:

In the last 7 months I’ve had three flat batteries. After getting the Auto club out to jump start, i’ve had the battery tested OK. The battery stills tests OK. The scenario was having the vehicle parked for one night, a full day and a night again, some 36-40 hours in all cases. The car was locked but unlocked and locked a couple of times during this time. So I’m thinking the battery is on it’s way out (although the tests don’t indicate that) and having the vehicle stationary for some time it may have a power leak. It may not be a Warranty claim as it probably could be argued but I now have to be very conscious to run/drive the car every day to ensure the battery gets a charge (it does get

http://caradvice Wayne

Hi Kevin. Do you have seat covers fitted to your car? There are reports about that on vehicles with electric seats, seat covers can trigger the switches, causing mysterious flat batteries (that are very difficult to diagnose). Cheers.
Colleen Rodie

Hello Kevin,
We had a similar problem with our old Peugeot. After many, many RACQ callouts (approx. 18 mths), much expense & frustration, we found an old-fashioned mechanic who replaced a NEW genuine Peugeot alternator with an alternative stronger one. Believe it or not, he said ours wasn’t coping & we actually needed something stronger. Driving (& using the AirCon, etc) was actually draining the battery (suitable for a small truck) instead of recharging it sufficiently. The number of times I went to my parked car to find a flat battery was unbelieveable. Our problem was finally solved. Maybe it might help with yours.
Leon

Possible incorrect car alarm fitting.
Mitch

Could be an earth leak. Get every circuit tested, one at a time, by a good old fashioned auto sparkie, to isolate the problem.
tony

on the territorys if you have tomany things in the glovebox the weight triggers on the light inside, this may be the leakage your looking for, so empty it and at night check if the light goes on or get an auto electrician to see if there is a leak there without the light going on.
Tammy

We have a Ford Territory Ghia 2006 model. It did the same thing because the boot light was on during the day, but we didn’t see it. This drained the battery while watching one match of junior football. Great during winter when it is pouring with rain and you have loud and muddy kids.

Our car runs out of warranty in April and already I have had the muffler replaced and the leather drivers seat replaced.

I am thinking that it would be a good idea to get a good mechanic to go through the vehicle with a fine tooth comb before the warranty runs out.
http://www.knowhowtravel.com.au Paul

I have a Territory and have found flat batteries to be a major problem. I’ll check the glove box next though!

I’ve been told by a reputable mechanic that you can’t leave them (without running the motor) for more than a week at a time because the on-board engine lock and security system continually drain the battety.

Its Remote Central Locking has just failed (it’s sticking and 40% of the time will only work via using the key). Off to and Auto-Electrician this week. sigh
Ron

I have also been having trouble getting my 2005 SY AWD Territory to fully charge the battery since it was new. Had the 4th new battery installed today – the observant installer noted that the alaternator was only charging at 13.38v when it needs to be over 14v to ensure a battery is adequately charged.
(last year I even replaced the alternator at $400 when I thouhgt this was the problem but nothing changed).
Suggested I see an auto elec who immediately said this was a common Ford Territory & Falcon problem due to a faulty computer controller which he couldn’t get Ford to confirm.
He said the cost to replace computer controller is around $2000!!
He suggests a simpler fix is to add a special battery charger for $250 which can be run overnight once a week to maintain battery performance.

Chris

I am having the same issue with my 2005 SY AWD. Absolutely giving me the pips!
You can drive the car for an hour then five minutes later try to restart and it sounds sick. My partner had the auto club attend recently and they too advised the charge rate was under rated though I don’t know by how much. Your feedback is helpful. I will check out the special battery charger option.
Thanks

Hobyar

We have discovered the electric seat in our 04 AWD Ghia has been constantly adjusting its self while we are out of the car and may be the source of our battery issues. We are going to try unplugging it to see if it makes a difference.
robert

One of the problems is the glove box light. The best solution is to use an old plastic wine bottle cork and slice about 5mm off the section and super glue it to the glove box hatch, you will notice a small black spot where the switch touches the hatch. This will ensure the light is out when the hatch is closed. You will find that if the light is on intermittently that the car is slow cranking and just starts sometimes this is because you are possibly running on a 1/3 to 1/2 charged battery.
shane

my 2006 territory locks it self even when keys are in ignition and even when driving. this is becoming a real issue as we have to leave a window open when our kid is in the car. anyone had the same issue, last service this was mentioned to the dealer and didnt do it for a while so we thought it was fixed but now it;s back and out of warranty?
Tony

Hi Shane we are having the same problem. Had Ford look at it and they said the Drivers door lock was the problem $380 later no better. Just sitting here waiting for NRMA as the battery was flat again and got the car going so thought I would leave it running a while, during which time the car has locked itself! so cant turn it of and cant get in!
colleen

hi
im looking at purchasing a 2005 ford territory AWD through private sale….any advice on what to check??

Marg

hi i have a 2005 ford territory ghia have had flat batteries,electric window,central locking,the list goes on i have taken the extra warranty . it would be a good idea to get a good mechanic to go through the vehicle with a fine tooth comb before the warranty runs out.

Dee

I have left my 2005 Territory Ghia garaged for about 10 days as my husband is
very sick in RNS hospital and its cheaper to take his car up and down the F3 but in the last 24 hours it has started sounding the alarm and flashing hazards, strangely only starts at 9pm at night despite all doors being securely shut and locked, is driving me insane and of course its easter and I cant call anyone or take it to anyone and my mechanically minded hubby isnt here to fiddle around with it…reading above am thinking I didnt get a bargain when I bought it after all although Ive had it for 5 months and never had any problems at all..reading above I am now also confused…batteries auto electrcians and money down the drain is what I am hearing
Bluey

We have a 2205 Territory ghia AWD and without a doubt, it would have to be the best vehicle we have owned. It even out does the fairlane ghia we traded. I would recomend a territory to anyone who wants reliability, comfort, style and safety. We are very very happy with our territory. It now has 131000 kilometres of worry free travelling on it and we would buy a new model when the time comes without hesitation.
Z

I had the same issue with the battery – people would say the battery was fine but the car would fail to start when left parked for a few nights. Turns out the glove box door was closing properly and allowed the light to stay on when the car was off. When testing this, i would suggest you wait until its pitch black outside, get inside the car and close the doors, then look underneath the glove box to see if the light remains on. A new glove box door fixes the problem.

Also now experiencing issues with the central locking locking itself with the keys inside. Ford has tested the front door sensor and found it to be ok. They are now testing the BEM (Body Electronics Module) – it may cost $500 to replace. Ouch!

Z