1998 Ford Puma review from UK and Ireland

In the first month engine hesitated at certain revs. Turned out to be a faulty sensor connection which was fixed by the dealer under warranty.

Sometime in 2003 the "open door" indicator came on and stayed on.

Other very minor niggles, but nothing I couldn't live with until this year (2004) then they became serious (i.e. potentially fatal and expensive). May 2004 at about 52K miles the brakes went spongy. Dealer replaced Master Cylinder plus a few other parts costing about £500. Well the car had been good till now so reasoned that it was one of those things.

November 2004 57K miles brakes fail completely. Fortunately this occurred as I was reversing out of a hotel car park and not the day before when I had been doing 70+MPH on the motorway or an hour later when I would have been driving down a mountain road. Recovered to dealer who informs me that the ABS modulator has failed. Cost to me £1,500. Cost to Ford all my future business.

I really loved this car, it was my sixth Ford in twenty odd years of driving and I considered it to be the best car I'd owned (all past tense).

It handled and accelerated well, the ICE was good and for a small car was really quite practical (my mountain bike fitted in the back with the front wheel off).

But these last two incidents have really shaken my confidence in the car and Ford in particular. The dealer contacted Ford Customer Services and then suggested I did as well. After feeling like a tennis ball between the Dealer and Ford Customer Services. I ended up with contradictory information. On Friday they would consider contributing to the repair as it was (just) under 72 months old, on Monday this had changed to no contribution as it was more than 60 months old.

For someone who has taken two Fords around the clock this has been a severe shock and an end to me buying Ford.

If you have one of these I seriously suggest you get rid after 50K miles.