1997 Ford Ka 3 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Earth failure on the rear hatch causing the rear wiper and window heater to fail.

Heater relay pack in the footwell burnt out - probably trodden on by child's size 10 shoes - poorly sited.

Rust in the door frame edges - in the line of fire from road grit thrown up by the front wheels - should be protected by plastic covers.

Rear silencer detached from the exhaust pipe.

Speed sensor for the engine management system failed, causing the car to fail to slow down when your foot is taken off the accelerator - THIS IS A SERIOUS FAULT.

Driver's door lock fell out.

Alloy wheels weld themselves on to the hubs making them almost impossible to remove on the roadside. Can be prevented by using silicone grease on surfaces.

Rear side window fixing studs are rusting.

Body panels very easily dented.

Alloy wheels easily damaged by pot holes.

Unimpressive fuel consumption for a small car with a small engine.

Gutless performance especially when the air-con is turned on - need to turn the air-con off if anything like spritely acceleration is needed.

Lots of style and quite fun to drive, but spoilt by an ancient engine, poor design and crap build quality.

There's loads of these cars that are ex-rental and ex-driving school motors. Sounds like what you've bought, as a '97 Ka should not have the problems you describe unless it has accident damage etc.

Although I have been pretty content with my Ka2, I also have the same problem with the speed sensor even after Ford claimed to have fixed it.

Another problem has been the extreme difficulty in removing spark plugs as they have rusted in solid after only 10,000 miles use. This has happened twice!

I have to agree with the comment about the air con, I live in quite a hilly area and with it on the car becomes really sluggish - to the point that the air con is only used when I'm on a flat road! Other than that I cannot fault it, I have a 2001 Ka collection and it seems to have addressed the problems of earlier models, especially the seats which seem to have had a redesign and are now much more comfortable, unless you have wide shoulders!

The KA seems to suffer from late 80s and early 90s type crap build quality. Ford do need to rust protect their metal. All other vehicle makers use a coat of Zinc or simliar methodology on a primed body, but not Ford.

The service intervals that Ford say are far too long for this vehicle if the oil is not changed every 6,000 miles the engine is destined for a short life.

I own a ford ka2 and I love it. i couldn't disagree more with the comments about speed and when the air conditioning is on it is sluggish. i haven't picked a fault yet with my car.

I bought a "R" reg Ka with 79000 miles.

It was stalling at every junction and needed a new idle control valve, which I bought 2nd hand for £10, what a difference.

Next an oil change, as it had the wrong oil in it, should 5w\30.

Finally a tappet adjustment cost me £30, BUT it's a DIFFERENT car. I would recommend these 3 repairs.

The only other problem is rust on the wings & sills.

I would buy another! Am I the only one?

I have just bought a P reg '97 Ka, and I can honestly say it's a decent motor, it had 54k miles when I got it and all I have had to do to it is a new fuel filter as it seems the ford services never changed it from new and general wear and tear issues, overall it's a pretty sturdy little car for a 10 year old, only think is to watch for the seatbelt hanging out the door as this can cause rusting in the doorframe and then there is teh rust round the petrol cap, is cost me 150 notes to get this fixed and teh car is as good as it was on the day it was first driven out of the showroom, and yes I would deffinately buy another Ka when this one dies unless my passion for food and drink gets the better of space inside it :)