ford territory awd problems Page 4

The Ford Territory AWD is a proper Aussie workhorse, but like any family bus with miles under its belt, it has a few party tricks you should know about. Look after it and it’ll tow, tour, and taxi kids like a champ; neglect it and it’ll start groaning like a pub door on a windy night.

• Worn rear differential bushes causing thumps/clunks under load.
• Front control arm bushes and ball joints wearing, leading to vibration or uneven tyre wear.
• AWD transfer case/PTU and CV leaks or noises if servicing has been skipped.
• ZF 6-speed auto fluid leaks or rough shifts when not serviced on time.
• Brake shudder from warped rotors; also occasional tailshaft centre bearing wear.
• Oil leaks from rocker cover; on diesels, possible EGR-related soot build-up.

None of that is unusual for age and kilometres, but a thorough pre-purchase inspection is worth its weight in servo pies. Service history is king: fresh fluids, good bushes, and healthy mounts keep a Territory sweet for years. Budget a little for preventative maintenance and it’ll repay you in big-boot, big-comfort kilometres.