Bumper to Bumper that is, I have 40k Kms on the car and it will be 3 years old in about 3 weeks. I don't see anything obviously wrong with it, but I am curious what I should look for that is not obvious yet that could be problem soon.

Not looking for trouble, this car has been very good so far, but the thought of paying if a problem arises sucks.

I have had the following done:
TSB on shock tower knocking
TSB on fuel tank level sensor not working
TSB on hesitation after long cruises
Broken driver's side outside door handle replaced

 

buy the ford premium care extended warranty

 

What should you look for? A nice, complete supercharger kit on December 21.

 

Mines out in Jan. I've got about the same km's as yours and had pretty much the same TSB's done. Not much else usually wrong with these cars other than the usual TSB's. Just have a look around for any leaks and your good to go.

 

Warranty runs out on Dec 20. What should I look for?
A new car.

 

What, are you kidding?! I love this car, I feel the same driving it every day as the day I bought it.

Supercharger, well the powertrain is still under warranty for another 2 years, but that is definately in the plans for the near future.

 

I asked the same question before mine ran out and didn't get much of a response from anyone. Here's my list of things that either went bad or I wish I would have had checked:

1. Air conditioner compressor whines - this started right before the warranty ran out and I thought it was the typical Ford power steering pump noise, but it definitely quits when the AC is off. AC still blows cold, but the whine just drives me nuts.

2. Fuel gauge / sending unit - Had the DTE FLI DATA ERR code on my display many times, always fixed itself, then after warranty expired, it shot the fuel gauge. Now the only way to tell how much fuel I have is to monitor the odometer in between fill ups. The mileage to E still works, but it takes about 25 miles to adjust after fill up, so I don't completely trust it. Fuel gauge shows I have 2 1/2 tanks of gas (needle points straight down).

3. Erratic blinker pattern - no it's not a burned bulb, some times the blinker goes fast for a couple clicks, then slow for one, then fast then slow, etc. Didn't really notice it at first, check yours out to make sure it blinks the same on both sides for 30 seconds or so each side to be safe.

4. Horn button / emblem - many people see it bubbling up, mine just started doing it.

5. Brake fluid reservoir - known issue, lots of them leak at the seal. Some dealers remove some fluid, some replace the reservoir. I'm sure yours has leaked as well, try to get them to give you a new one.

6. Floor mat holder - the little clip just tore the carpet slot apart, now the drivers floor mat won't stay in place. Annoying, but not critical. If yours is good, unhook the floormat and the clip and make sure the carpet slot isn't torn / on it's way to being ripped.

7. Defroster vents - I live in Phoenix, so not a big deal, but I used my defroster for the first time the other night and it blows cold air. It's just a vent / flap or something that isn't switching to blow hot air, but if I lived where it snowed I'd be pee eye double essd.

8. Just take 30 minutes and run through EVERYTHING, windshield wipers, spray nozzles, rear defroster, cruise control, hazard lights, ac/heat/defrost, fog lights, brights, turn signals, windows, all functions of the stereo, check for oil leaks around the pan and heads, check the rear end for leaks, sway bar end links (mine were loose after the strut cap TSB service and got chewed up), take your hand off the wheel and let it coast, apply throttle then brakes to make sure it's not pulling to either side, and whatever else I'm missing here. I wish I'd have just take a bit of time and made a checklist and went through it all ahead of time. Too late now for me!

Good luck!

 

Excellent ideas there. My brake fluid does leak / weap, but I clean the engine compartment so much it never builds up. Doesn't mean it doesn't need fixing.

The carpet hook is another one I never thought of. I am pretty sure mine might be starting to tear.

The horn emblem was bad from day one, just got used to it, will deal with that too.

I will crawn under the car and give it a good going over. Thanks for all the advice.

 

sounds like an excellent list!

 

Here is a link to the Ford Extended Warranty Plan in Canada...
FordESP.ca - Discounted genuine Ford extended warranties available online

 

Yup I would piece of mind & save you some bucks, ie rentals if down

 

My emblem on the horn is bubbling too. Its going in Friday anyway -I'll add that to the list!

 

Well, it is going in on Tuesday for the following:
TSB on transmission noise (new tranny???)
TSB on front of seat covers coming loose
Driver's side wheel seems to have play in the tie rod or steering
Brake fluid leak on resivoir.

We'll see what happens.

 

...that's the dumbest thing I've read all day. wow.

 

yup.

 

I'm guessing he was probably joking

 

An expired warranty??

Seriously, these cars are fairly bullet-proof. I'm not sure I'd spend the $1,500 for the ESP. That's quite pricy. I'd rather roll the dice.

 

I am quite mechanically inclined, I agree with rolling the dice. Besides, once I bolt a blower on, the warranty is done anyway.

 

I may have the same problem with my horn emblem and I am very surprised that this is covered by waranty. Can you post a picture?

 

Well got the car back and they ordered a new cap for the brake fluid resevoir and fixed the front seats as per the TSB. The play in the front wheel was normal backlash in the steering rack. I would tend to agree as there really wasn't much play at all and you can't hear or feel anything driving. The transmission is fine as well as I really knew it was. I was just hoping maybe they might check the oil plug and find metal shavings and then replace the tranny as per the TSB.

Can't say I am dissapointed, actually pretty happy that for a car that has had 3 seasons of autocrossing and an owner with a heavy right foot at times, it has held up very well.

If it aint broke, don't fix it. Words I have to agree with. Time now to start saving for the supercharger!