Australian culture dictates that you need to be either a Ford or a Holden fan. It also dictates that you need to be an overweight slob, living in the suburbs and routinely beat your wife. We have built a culture that we are proud of and no one knows why. Drinking beer out of cans, putting sofas on the front porch and doing burnouts in the driveway. As much as the patriotic suburban pie eating slob feels he is backing the Australian economy (assuming he even knows what that word means) the fact still remains that in the global car market both Holden and Ford are not really contenders.
Need to book a service? Book a service online now!
Unfortunately both manufactures have produced some average vehicles over the years, granted that the Europeans and the Asians have also produced some pure filth when it comes to cars, the Ford BA Falcon is a very ordinary car.
Starting at the rear of the car. The spare wheel well, if its not full of rust by now you’re doing well. The spare wheel “hold down strap” is a stupid design that nearly always gets lost. Almost every BA or BF Falcon is missing the strap. The common Ford diff bushes problem started with these cars and the hand brake mechanism is just stupid.
Moving forward, commonly known for transmission faults. Engine mounts splitting and power steering problems. The calibre of the manufacturer is so magnificent that the common fault of a shudder through the steering at low speeds was diagnosed as “characteristic of the car” and not a hydraulic system full of air.
The BA was so superb that the push rod in the brake booster was commonly known to hold the brake master cylinder on. This gave you the results of driving with one foot on the brake all the time. The brakes cooked, the rotors warped and the steering wheel shuddered.
In similar fashion to the early model Territories these cars are made of Duplo. Everything plastic inside the car is known to break. Bonnet release cables, inner door handles and the centre console crumble in your hand the third time you use them. The seat rails break, ignition coils fail and the TPS sensor is known for behaving like a fat kid in a public swimming pool.
Engine wise these cars are not too bad. They are the same engine being used since Longshanks took one on his crusades. They are known for leaking inlet manifold gasket and timing chain tensioner leaks.
Add a whole new level of rubbish, they released a turbo charged XR6 model. Enter every young bloke who ever thought of touching himself whilst his parents went out to dinner.
The XR6 Turbo is a poor excuse for a performance car. Yes massive power can be pumped through the robust engine, but slam all that through a sluggish, troublesome automatic transmission, then hit your old man up for money to replace it because it died whilst you were “just driving normally”.
But die hard keyboard warriors will argue the fact, “my XR6 does this or that, this much down the quarter mile, blah blah blah”. Face it kiddos you bought a four door taxi so you could pick up multiple women of questionable morals outside Mona Vale Hotel on a Thursday night. It doesn’t go around corners well, when you come to a grinding halt the whole car shakes more than Michael J Fox and near falls to pieces and uses more fuel than a Boeing 747.
The XR6 is about as high performance as Syphillis is sexually arousing.
The long and the sort of it is, don’t buy a Ford Falcon.
This is so funny. Well said!
I can’t believe anybody was ever dumb enough to buy a ba/bf. Just a pile of tinny shit which dents every time you walk near it and rusts out from under you.just can’t trust ford
Not all of them are rubbish. Whilst most of the vehicles with a Ford badge on them are very average the Ford Ranger seems to be an amazing car.
Whilst this was a funny read. I had a 2006 BF sedan for 5yrs. It was one of the most reliable cars I’ve owned. It didn’t rust at all, and it was parked on the street always.
I think is you look after any car, you can make it last, even one that gives you grief. These falcons are great for parts, service is cheap, since I serviced it myself. In saying ask of that, of I ever decide to buy another falcon, it’ll most probably be a FG.
Obviously holden heads . just bag a ford when u can ho hum.i had a ba xr8 4 9 years not a problem. Until a P plate driver decided to write it off 4 me BLOODLY HOLDEN DRIVERS
You had a ba 49 years!
They only came out 15 years ago
Interesting. I have a 2006 XR6 with six speed and it has been great. Yes it’s had the rear diff bushes done at 200km but it’s been pretty good all considered. Just done 332km. Definitely cheaper to own than a euro car.
Well I’ve just brought a BA 03 wagon for a run around car been a holden man all my life so I’m trying the other side,My last second car was a VR wagon manual so it was all of 450,000 klms on the clock and did miss a beat many times coil pack,Clutch that could have been the way I drove it,Rear main seal fuel pumps,water pumps so they aren’t much better.The thing is they save your good car from sitting out in the weather at work and if it could save you say 2 services on your good car(mine is a Landcruiser) then there worth having lets face it there going more than ther not so they can’t be to bad.
I own a 2003 BA XT falcon with the turbo motor transplanted into it. My door handles and glove box handle has not crumbled. Yes the 4 speed auto is a bit of a slush box but the 6 speed Autos in the MkII are a German made transmission and are pretty decent. XR6’s also come with a 6 speed manual and LSD rear option. I’ve been through the hills a couple of times in mine and the shocks and springs and bushes are all completely stock and I run the standard 16 inch steel wheels with high profile tires. They actually handle quite well, not like a Lancer Evolution or Skyline GTR but for a family sedan they’re fairly impressive. If you know how to drive. Most of the problems you mentioned have not happened to my car so I guess I’m lucky.
I’ve always been into my Japanese imports in the past but I thought I would try something different and so far I’ve been quite impressed, coming from the mentality that Holdens and Fords are buckets of crap. Sure they have their common problems but name one car that didn’t. Japanese and European cars included. This article is written by a very biased individual, I just hope he doesn’t own a Holden because that would be a case of pot calling kettle black.
2005 BA wagon auto cuts out usually on the hi way and when I pull up it starts and performs normally, the throttle body potentiometer and secondly the throttle position sensor have been replaced with genuine ford parts totalling $1300, it occurred again today and have not had it on the diagnostic tool again yet, can anybody suggest what is really wrong with it? The vehicle has been well maintained with a good service history and is in excellent condition for its age and it being used in the country all its life.
I have an 04 BA XL ute. It started to shudder up hills about a month after I bought it and speedo needle would spaz out occasionally. I got a fault test done at repco and it showed a throttle body fault, o2 sensor fault, and speed sensor fault. I decided to just live with it but then after another month it started to shut down when the auto would kick back a gear on the highway. Also when going up decent hills in cruise control, the cruise control would turn off and then wouldn’t turn back on again unless you turned the key off and then back on again. Got another fault test done, now it added a transmission solenoid fault to the list. I replaced the auto fluid and filter, and while apart, I unplugged the solenoids and gearbox plug, tightened the terminals, contact cleanered them and plugged them back in. This did nothing. I overfilled the auto fluid (car in park, engine running, added 700ml) which did nothing. The intake manifold had a vacuum leak, I siliconed it over with red high temp stuff. Made it run better but still had shutdown and cruise control issues. I replaced the coils, spark plugs, and o2 sensor…and this fixed everything.
Another common issue is the ignition switch. The starter return spring pin snaps off, making the key not return to the ‘on’ position. That pin then jams itself amongst the mechanism, and pops the contact pad of the switch out because the contact pad was never crimped into the column properly. 1 new steering column later and you’re back on the road (don’t forget to crimp the contact pad properly in place before installing)
Now I’m battling the crappy steering shudder issue.
Not far off the mark, these cars definitely could have been built better, maybe they cut corners to compete with imports? I own a bf they’re not as good as mums 3.8 VY in terms of brakes , fuel economy , sluggish transmission ,power and acceleration, my BF ute is very well maintained but to no avail, its the last ford I will ever buy my next will be toyota , I work on cars all the time year in year out and its getting very hard to find decent cars designed well ,built well and using top quality components minus the obvious cost cutting in build quality and design.
They’re built to fail
I have had a BA Futura wagon for about a year now. I agree that the handbrake system is shit, and I have had to replace the coil packs, and the front brake rotors. But otherwise, it drives beautifully. I bought a 220k km car for $2600; what should I expect. There is nothing else that I can buy for that money that will pull my caravan so nicely. Most of the little luxuries like the cruse control work a treat (I have driven new hire cars were the cruse control is crap).I love cars and I am in trouble with the wife for swapping them to quick. But I love this one and will keep it for a while.
The wife has a Carolla, which has had virtually zero go wrong with it in 12 years, but when we drive to work at 110k/h, we have to raise our voice to be heard. I am happy to pay the extra fuel money for a nice ride.
I had a really good laugh reading this blog post. While some of the issues you raise about the BA/BF is true (i.e. Diff Bushes), most of the statement you have written is an over-exaggeration or utter nonsense. I swear this blog is written by someone who is a Holden fanatic and/or someone that has been watching way too many YouTube video by John Cadogan. My BA Falcon has nearly got 375,000km and it still going strong. Furthermore, the interior of my car has held very well. The BA/BF are great dependable workhorses (especially when it come to highway driving), I will be holding onto my example for as long as I can.
Bought a 2008 BF wagon, an ex-taxi with 419,000 kms on it from a taxi mechanic for $1700 with a blue slip.
That was two and a half years ago.
All I’ve done is renew the front brake rotors and pads, and keep changing the engine oil regularly.
The station wagon rear suspension is still the old leaf spring type so it doesn’t need all the bushes rebuilt like the IRS sedans do.
Just change transmission fluid every 60,000 kms, Diff oil every 40,000 kms .
Keep the coolant fresh and the radiator clean.
It’s all about maintenance.
So “Warriewood Mechanic” . I grew up in that area and remember in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s it was Ausssies in their Holdens doing quarter mile drag races against the Yugoslavs in their Fords down Macpherson Rd past the Drive in Movies.
I have owned a 2002 BA since late 2003 and I have to say it has been an exceptional car. It has never caused me any issue.
It does now have a few small rusts spots, but you need to look hard to find them.
The vehicle has always been exceptionally reliable and after 185000ks, the only mechanical issue I had was a broken fan belt.
I looked at trading the old girl as a few things started going wrong, like leaking power steering pump, diff bushes, broken bonnet latch and roof lining failing.
As the veh is still in sound condition and runs well, I spent a K on parts and just replaced everything that was worn or stuffed. It still runs like a dream and I have no intention of selling it soon.
My experience has been totally different than some of those posted. I cant rate the BA high enough.
ba falcons are average cars. those who massively criticise or praise have no clue. they are good enough. high kms suggests regular running which is good for any car. i have a from new xr6t 2003 model with the premium pack etc.
the major fails are:
brake shudder/rotor wear as described
rubbish oem wheels
sunroof
leaks head gasket power steer
interior fit and finish
traction control what a joke
diff and shaft
general ford engineering and head office/dealer support (the worst i have ever experienced )
depreciation
the good:
ok fuel economy
room and seat comfort
any fuel works
some bogan will lust after it
I have a 6cyl ba fairlane this here in nz with 470,000 clicks on the clock. Original motor, doesn’t miss a beat. No problems with the car at all. Everything still works as it should. Doesn’t use a drop of oil or water, trans shifts smooth. Probably due for a set of shocks but that’s just normal wear and tear. Whoever wrote this must be on drugs or a drives a jappa.
My fathers 2006 BA XR6 was recommended by my brother and yes, funnily enough, he does have a couch on his front porch and video footage of his VH 351 Fairlane smoking out the neighborhood in his driveway. so he somehow got that right. I replaced the inlet manifold gaskets yesterday dads BA and found the engineers could have made better use of space with remove and refit in mind. With the leverage, the manifold creates the need for 5 braces and strong Loctite makes sense but all in all a bit of a nasty job. On the other hand, long duel inlet runners for better low-end vole/efficiency makes ror good towing characteristics. wondering whether such a fat manifold to head gasket is the cause of leakage down the road. anyway, his entry was quite funny.
I think the person who wrote this thinks himself some sort of ‘funny man’ . All these epithets and eufinisms best left to the stage. How can one ever take a review like this seriously?
So funny, have to admit I dont really finish reading internet stuff for so many words now.
As an owner of an previous EL falcon and current FG falcon/ six speed manual I am trying to get rid of diff bush problems now.
However whenever after driving company cars or hire cars or mate’s cars I feel so at home in my falcon and love the silky acceleration even it is not a turbo.
I have owned a 2006 XR6T from new. I can honestly say it is the most reliable car that I have ever own and I have had a lot including Jap , European and American.
After 12 years of ownership, apart from regular servicing, I am just having to spend some money on it. Just done the diff bushes and fixed an oil leak from the timing cover seal.
Performance wise I would put my turbo up against any large sedan under 100 grand on a point to point across any sealed road. They are one of the best bang for buck cars you could buy.
Are they perfect? No of course not but they are very reliable, parts and repairs are relatively cheap and most workshops know them well. Try that with an Audi of BMW.
By the way all my trim is in perfect condition, my handbrake works great and the ZF 6 speed auto is superb. And what can I say about that Barra turbo engine that hasn’t already been stated by umpteen tuners around the country. The yanks love em.
Yes yes very dubious characteristics..plastic everything and if it can break it will….still if ya gonna try it you should go head first I say…..I’m a pensioner so naturally I bought a 2003 ba XR8 Manuel……sure I’m changing the coilpacks more times than my underwear but nothing beats that awesome woosh down the freeway!!!..nursing home parking is a nightmare though….
Lol. First car was a au falcon wagon had it for 3 years done 380000km in the end didn’t miss a beat replaced nothing, just general servicing, tyres, brakes as you do. Highway mileage was impressive. Had me ba xr8 Ute for 12 years now done 285000km replaced coil packs, tail shaft Center bearing and roof liner, of course General servicing. Get 640-700km Highway travel 450-500km around town. So what you have crap on about hasn’t happen to me. Look after something it treats you well in most cases. Got a old 1983 xe falcon I bought for $200 when I was 18, that’s a pisser of a car talk about cheap and easy fix, pounds the fuel but lpg makes up for it. Misses has a 2010 fg xr6T great car done 165000km. Replaced rear diff Center bearing. You can bag on all you want but several other car makes have shit tones of problems, go buy a oil guzzling push rod struggler Holden v8 or the overly powered v6 Holden lol, look out hang on, more issues than women’s daily. Go do some research on other makes and models, better still people work on them first hand, you will look back and think well fords are not to bad after all.