2001 Ford Mondeo LX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Rear passenger side Caliper seized.

Handbrake cable.

Reverse light switch.

Constant knocking from the engine.

Totally unreliable in every aspect.

Excessive wind noise from the front doors.

Handbrake naturally useless.

Geared for top speed making it very sluggish in its power delivery.

Rattly in the front and impossible to stop it.

Eats bulbs, I have replaced 2 in 2 weeks.

Does anyone else think this is a very odd review which smacks of anti-Ford prejudice?

Firstly, I wonder why you would buy a 1.8 Mondeo after a 5 series at all, and certainly why you would then comment on a relative drop in build quality and performance. Er hello, check the price difference. Didn't you test drive the car? If performance is a consideration, you can have a Mondeo with anything up to 220 bhp and 0-60 in under 7 seconds if you're prepared to pay for it. The 1.8 "repmobile" model doesn't claim to be a performance car, and if this was a major factor for you, as it clearly is, you should have picked this up within half a mile on the test drive, and bought something else.

Secondly, how does your comment "totally unreliable in every respect" tally with your list of problems, all bar one (brakes) being relatively minor and none of which would cause a breakdown?

There is also the fact that I am on my second, both having covered twice the mileage of yours with no problems or quality issues. These cars are known for being able to rack up 200,000 miles plus without major problems, so you buying a dud with 60,000 miles on the clock is hardly automatically a problem with the car. More likely your knowledge of used cars and what to look for when test driving them is at fault.

Excessive wind noise is more likely down to poorly repaired accident damage than a build fault (no Mondeo I've been in or driven suffers from it) and all your other comments bar the gearing smack of neglect and abuse by yourself or previous owners.

I agree with the first reviewer.

First, you bought a family car at the lower end. How can you compare it with a sport car?

Second, the 1.8 liter is very economic let's say. It's not for race. I have the same car with 2 liters and I reach its limits constantly.

Third, that car you talk about had no maintenance or a very poor one. What you explain is not a design problem. So who is to blame? Repair it.

Noise: soorry it's not true at all. Or maybe was knocked hard and the body deformed.

I drove or was driven in more expensive cars and over 150 km/h many make noise: wind noise, lateral mirror noise, tire noise. Mondeo Mk2 has other problems, but not this one.

Finally: I understand your dissatisfaction with a Mondeo after a BMW (why did you sell it if was so good in first place?!) but try to be a bit objective.

Kind regards,

If this car is so bad, then why the smiley face?

Ford mondeo LX (18) Has anyone experienced any leaks in there doors and the car is only under 2 years old and I just want to know if this is a common experience with mondeo as iam a first time owner.

I had a 2001 1.8 mondeo for a year and I believe its one of the most underpowered cars I've ever owned! I even took it to ford to get it checked out. Solid car, good handling, but absolutely hated the engine, it was so slow and sounded like a vacuum cleaner motor. The car I had before was a Vaux Omega 2.Oi which is relatively slow, but at least that felt like it had some sort of power there. Now own Golf Diesel, much better! But please don't take me as an anti-fordest because you can give me a Fiesta any day, great car!

Actually front door wind noise is a very common problem and has been documented in many a road test review. I find it strange that after owning a bmw you aren't used to reliability issues, as they are the most overrated car on the planet. I have seen many 3 and 5 series BMW's at the roadside with steam pouring out, and I have fitted dozens of engines to most models, even V8's. I have worked in the trade for over 30 years, and was part of a large break down company, so I can say that yes Fords have problems, but compared to BMW's and the price difference, I know what I would rather run daily.