Faults:

Gearbox gave up at 64000.

Rear wheel bearing went at 50000.

Usual steering wheel wear.

ABS issues now 2001 @ 66000... looking at it, it's going to be reluctor ring or maybe an ABS sensor..

General Comments:

Apart from these issues, the car is amazing.. it goes where you put it through corners..

I have had some modifications done, and it's running 135 BHP... very quick.. Eats Saxo VTS's... 106 GTI's.

Faults:

My car is only five years old and the steering rack has gone. It is going to be very expensive to fix and I am disgusted that this has happened.

The car has only done 16000 miles, i never go on the moter way, i just use it for travelling to work and shopping.

I am clueless to why this should of happened.

General Comments:

Generally the car runs fine.

Faults:

Steering rack gone.

General Comments:

Too expensive for what it is.

Steering rack gone after only 25 000 miles, and cost me 800 pounds to fix.

The car has too much cheap plastic inside, and outside for the Ghia model. Completely poorly built. Also, the plastic parts on the side of the doors make too much noise.

Ford head office are useless.

Faults:

I recently had to pay for a new steering rack (like a number of other people on this site). This cost £443 + VAT + labour (~£520).

Faults:

Steering Rack needs to be replaced after 24,000 miles just out of warranty like so many others I have heard of since this fault came to light. Surely ford should admit this defect as it seems to be very common and replace free of charge.

General Comments:

Until now this has been a good car, but to put the fault right it will cost a large percentage of the car's value.

Faults:

The vehicle has low mileage for it's age, however due to a fault the power steering liquid has been leaking, which has resulted in the requirement to replace the full steering rack.

General Comments:

Have been advised that this is a common fault and wondered if anyone has had the same problem?

Faults:

Needed a new wiper blade. Otherwise nothing.

General Comments:

Good points about this car:

Handling and ride: Probably the best handling in its class. It grips the road superbly and is excellent fun to drive on windy country roads.

On the motorway it has the ride comparable to a large quality saloon and so is extremely comfortable.

Gear box: You could not ask for a sweeter gear change, again I would say best in class.

Value: I bought it at barely two years old, still under warranty for £4299, good for buyers, although not great for sellers.

Engine: A refined and smooth engine which is very reliable. Nippy around town.

Very spacious.

Not so good points about this car:

Quality of materials: The plastics in the cabin are not what I expect from a ford. The trim on the doors looks cheap.

Equipment: Could do with a few more things as standard – the wind down windows are a disappointment and again feel cheap. Lack of ABS on a 2002 car is terrible!

Engine: The least powerful of the range. The 1.25 ltr has 16 valves and more horsepower and so is faster. The 1.3 is fine with one or two people in and is surprisingly capable on the motorway, but when fully loaded is a let down.

Overall I am satisfied.