Ford Territory Common Problems

The Territory was Ford Australia's locally designed and built seven-seat SUV, sold from 2004 until production ended in October 2016. There are three series: SX (2004 to 2005), SY (2005 to 2011, with a Mk II from 2009) and SZ (2011 to 2016, with a Mk II from 2014). Every series has the 4.0-litre Barra inline six petrol, the SY also offered a turbo version, and the SZ added a 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel (140 kW, 440 Nm). Gearboxes are a BTR four-speed automatic in early cars and a six-speed automatic in later ones, in rear or all-wheel drive; the SZ petrol was rear-drive only. Owners rate later cars as reliable, but early ones had serious front suspension trouble.

Front lower ball joint wear and separation (SX and SY Mk I, 2004 to 2009)

This is the best-known Territory fault. On SX and early SY models the front lower ball joint was loaded in a way that pulled it out of its socket, and badly worn joints could separate during low-speed, high-steering-effort moves such as parking. Warning signs are a thump over potholes, feathered or inner-edge tyre wear and wandering steering. Ford said it was not a recall, but ran a service action that replaced worn joints free on cars up to 150,000 km, using the original design. The SY Mk II moved the joint to the steering knuckle, which largely solved the problem. On an early car, budget for new joints unless there is a recent receipt.

Coolant in the automatic gearbox (BTR four-speed and ZF six-speed, 2004 to 2016)

The automatic's cooler is shared with the engine coolant, inside the radiator on the four-speed and in a heat exchanger on the six-speed. When the cooler or its lines fail, coolant mixes with the gearbox oil (the "milkshake"), damaging friction linings and, on the ZF, the mechatronic unit. The fix is a rebuild or a replacement gearbox, a bill of several thousand dollars, so many owners fit an external air-to-oil cooler. Six-speed faults are among the most reported complaints on SZ diesels, and Ford is reported to have issued a bulletin for a growl or buzz when shifting on some 2013 to 2014 diesels. Some owners also report vibration from a worn tailshaft centre bearing.

Diesel belts, leaks and fuel system faults (2.7L V6 diesel, SZ, 2011 to 2016)

The diesel uses a rubber timing belt plus a second toothed belt for the high-pressure fuel pump, and both must be replaced on time. Sources quote different intervals, so follow the car's service schedule and treat a car near or past the change without a receipt as due now; owners report broken belts and failed tensioners. Other reported faults are high-pressure fuel pump, turbo and EGR problems, split inlet manifolds, oil cooler leaks and water pump and thermostat housing leaks. A few owners report spun bearings, which can mean a replacement engine. Listen for knocks and ask for full service records.

Suspension bush and diff bush wear (all models, 2004 to 2016)

Territories are heavy and wear through bushes. A clunk from the rear at low speed is usually the diff bushes, knocking over bumps points to the rear upper shock bushes, and the front sway bar bushes wear too. Early cars can wear the inner edge of the driver's side rear tyre from excess negative camber, corrected with an offset bush. An early car can need a costly round of bushes and ball joints to pass a roadworthy, even when it seems to drive well.

Cooling leaks, belt tensioner and idle faults (4.0L petrol, 2004 to 2016)

The Barra six is durable if serviced, but radiators can leak, the water pump's rear O-ring seeps and inlet manifold gaskets can leak. A failing accessory belt tensioner squeals or rattles before the belt snaps, stopping the power steering, alternator and water pump. SX and SY cars can idle low, hunt or stall; Ford's bulletin fix was a throttle body clean and an ECU reflash. Treat any coolant leak seriously, as a radiator failure can also contaminate the gearbox.

Electrics, water leaks and tailgate rust (all models, 2004 to 2016)

A faulty body computer can switch on the interior lights and flatten the battery, and a weak battery can flash the gear indicators and put the car in limp mode. Door lock actuators fail, and the plastic clips holding the windows to their regulators break. Some SZ owners find the air conditioning weaker than in earlier models, and report failed ambient temperature sensors. Some SZ owners report water in the front passenger footwell, and early cars rust under the tailgate seal and behind the tail-lights.

Recalls and safety

Recall themes include front brake hoses on SX and SY that could leak fluid and reduce braking, and Ford accessory floor mats that could trap the accelerator. SZ recalls cover a fuel return pipe that could leak on mid-2011 builds, a curtain airbag sensor on some 2012 cars, an output shaft speed sensor that could force a downshift to first on cars built from September 2011 to February 2013, and an ignition switch connector that could stall the engine on cars built from November 2013 to October 2014. Have a Ford dealer check the VIN for open recalls and see our recalls page.

Buying a used Ford Territory? What to check

• Front ball joints: Have the front end checked for play on a hoist, and on an SX or SY Mk I ask for receipts for replacement joints.
• Coolant and gearbox: Look for a milky film in the coolant reservoir and ask if an external gearbox cooler is fitted. Listen for a thump at low speed and check shifts are smooth.
• Diesel belts: Ask for proof that the timing belt and fuel pump belt were replaced on schedule, and walk away from a knocking engine.
• Rear end: Listen for clunks when taking up drive, knocks over bumps and vibration at highway speed.
• Tyres: Check for feathering or inner-edge wear, especially on the driver's side rear.
• Electrics: Run every window and door lock, test the air conditioning on every setting and make sure the interior lights switch off.
• Leaks and rust: Feel the front passenger carpet for damp, and lift the tailgate seal to look for rust.

Run a Carify PPSR check before you pay, and work through our Ford Territory buying checklist.

The verdict

The SZ from 2011 to 2016 is the pick, with revised front suspension, a six-speed automatic across the range and better build quality. The petrol six is the simpler choice if you can live with its fuel use; the diesel suits towing, but only buy one with documented belt changes and a quiet engine. An SY Mk II from 2009 is a sound budget buy. Approach SX and SY Mk I models with care: check the ball joints, radiator and gearbox cooler, and budget for suspension work.