2004 Ford Falcon BA Futura MK II from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Noisy rear diff, clunky automatic transmission on downshifts, noisy exhaust shield when idling, brake shudder, rough idling.

Drivers side window switch was replaced, leaking radiator, power steering pump replaced.

Engine surging and has stalled a few times. Parts of the interior trim has broken or fallen off.

Majority of the problems solved at the dealers.

A comfortable and quiet car to drive with a lot of power and looks great.

But way too many problems for a new car and with all my cars I have had I looked after them, but this car is woeful in the build quality.

New Toyota Aurion that is coming looks like a great replacement.

At least Toyota can build cars that are reliable.

Nice one Ford you have done it again!

Make another customer go else where.

And keep customers away...

Go Ford, keep screwing misguided Aussies over. More and more are realising you and Holden are churning crap out of your factories. It's no wonder the large car market is declining...

I have currently purchased a xr6 mach II turbo ute and have found it to be nothing more than outstanding. Fantastic power coupled with a smooth quite drive that lets the engine pure at high revs.

Modern easy to use and aestheticlly pleasing with a nice blue light speedo display.

Mean looking slick car. No complaints on this end...

...bummer dude sounds like you got a bit of a dud... i agree the build quality on aussie cars can be a bit sus, (refer my review Nov 7 2005) but on the other hand I've recently been trying to think of another car from any manufacturer other than holden or ford, who can deliver a car for around 30k, that is... as cheap to service, can get around 500+ ks per tank, can jamb the kids in with your junk for a holiday, tow a caravan, horse float or boat, all modern safety features, etc etc, and is also be available as sportier models.. (xr's etc), as utes, wagons sedans etc, the only other cars that will do SOME of these things are 4wd's and don't even consider them if you want economy anywhere. on the whole so long as the dealers are happy to fix your concerns, (which sometimes requires a bit of pressure placing on them) ford and holden don't do that bad a job. and yes just regrettably sold the Xr ute and bought a hilux petrol, and guess what people Japanese cars (including subarus as well, don't kid yourself) have litle quirks and warranty issues too so don't think that's the cure to all your mechanical woes... tho I'm a bit critical at times the oyota seems good too.

I too have had similar problems with our 2004 Ford Falcon XT Wagon. We've had shuddering in the steering at low speeds which was under warranty. The rear door wouldn't lock (under warranty) car has stalled several times when coming up to traffic lights, not sure what is causing this? Intermittent problems with surging at idol speed, some clunking noise in the diff, we've had a oil leak in the diff which was also another warranty issue. I wouldn't buy one again, it's nice enough to drive and roomy, but too many issues. I'm just glad I didn't buy from new and suffered the depreciation loss of a new car in today's car market.

As per my previous comments on my 04 wagon, just had the car back from Ford from a failed rear door lock and now the passenger side won't lock.

To the comment of 25 October 2006, a car that will do what you asked for 30K is the Series 3 Mitsu 380.

Best value and quality large car on the Aussie market today. I don't understand why people persevere with the problems of Holden and Fords, which cost around 7K more than the Mitsu. Show me where the additional 7K lies? Is it a pride or badge thing? They don't handle any better, even though they are RWD, and most people don't care which end drives the car anyway, as seen from the amount of people who buy small and medium size cars these days.

If you keep buying Commodores and Falcons with their reliability and quality problems, they will never get the message that they need to make a better car. It will be a never ending cycle.

I agree I used to like Fords, but now I don't like them as I find them to be to unreliable.

Also with the way petrol prices are heading, the family sedan car market is dying as 4 litre engines are just too heavy on fuel now. But I guess we will end up like England, and everyone will be driving 4 cylinders.

I have found Fords have quite a few problems. Ie pop owned an EA in the early 90's that had the head gasket blow at 80,000 kays.

To me the Japanese just build a better quality and more reliable car as compared to Ford and Holden. I think Ford and Holden sell cars now due to owners having brand loyalty, like my pop has only ever Fords for the past 40 years, except for one VH Commodore, which he hated.

I have owned an 85 Corolla for 3 years, and only it cost 20 to replace a hose. Could take some severe punishment. Whereas I bought an EB XR6, which has cost me 1600 in 1 year. So I think my next car will be a Corolla for sure.