The problem with the new Ford Mondeo
Ford of Europe is telling anyone who will listen that the new Mondeo is "Ford of Europe's most technologically-advanced car ever." All right, I won't argue with that, but it seems the technological advancements don't mean Ford worked a lot on the engine or emissions.
The Mondeo is not exactly a clean car (never has been). It is good that, as expected, there are diesel engine options for the new Casino Royale-mobile, but if Ford wants to make a big to-do about the technological advancements in the Mondeo (and they do), why not ask where are the advancements for the environment?
Take, for example, how the new Mondeo's interior was designed: "In order to optimise the interior package and visibility, Ford's engineers developed and first used on Mondeo a new Computer Aided Virtual Engineering (CAVE) system. CAVE uses a combination of computers and projectors to create a virtual life-sized interior of a car. Using a specially designed rig, a real car seat is fixed into the appropriate position for the 'driver' who can then evaluate all-round visibility as well as comfort levels for reaching the steering wheel and operating major controls. "
Cool, it's like a car holodeck. Make the car comfortable and fun to drive, then get back to work on lowering CO2 emissions.
After the jump, I've excerpted a short bit of Ford of Europe's press release on the Mondeo that mentions the eco-friendly aspects the car, but compared to the full release (available at Autoblog), the eco part seems like an afterthought.
I know Ford is making strides to be more eco-friendly with their other vehicles and in other areas (see here, here and here for some recent examples). It's just when I saw "technologically-advanced" hyped so prominently, I assumed the greenest. I was wrong.
Ford of Europe's Commitment to Sustainability
The new Mondeo has been developed from the outset with Ford's Product Sustainability Index ( PSI) initiative behind it. This incorporates the whole product life cycle; from raw material construction through to production, vehicle operation, right through to the end-of-life operations.
The reflected indicators include life cycle global warming, life cycle air quality, use of sustainable material, restricted substances – including allergy-tested interior – and drive-by exterior noise as well as social and economic aspects, which include pedestrian and occupant safety, mobility capability and cost-of-ownership.
Using the PSI, Ford can target continuous improvement from one vehicle generation to the next.
Sustainability plays a key role in Ford Motor Company's policies. The development and integration of a sustainability management system encompasses the pursuit of improved air quality and fuel efficiency during the vehicles' life cycles, together with built-in recoverability at the time they have completed their useable life.
Ford Motor Company is committed to socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing and since 2000 Ford facilities worldwide, including Genk, have improved energy efficiency by over 16 per cent. Ford is targeting a further year on year 1 per cent improvement.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
PAUL 12:03PM (2/06/2008)
I took delivery of new model Mondeo ghia 2.0 TDCi [ 140 PS ]in December and almost since first day i have had an intermittent fault when car will with no warning cut out leaving me going along with no power, steering or brakes! a fun experience NOT.
It usually happens when braking and moving down gears [ 2nd is the fav. ]car will start right away again with no problem which is a blessing as this allows me to steer and brake again which is in the best intrests of both me and other users of the road,anyway garage claim that they can't find fault and car is perfect [ it must be in my mind the dozen or so times it has happened ]so if any other owners of new Mondeo is having this or similar problem can you let me know.
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nikki thompson 4:28PM (8/26/2008)
I am haviv a similar prob is cutting out intermitently then not restartin or chuggin to a stop then can be driven about 20 mins later at about 40 mile per hour or sometimes 4 miles per hour.other times it will not restart and havin to be towed back.
Ford cannot find fault each time and within about a week it all starts again.Infact in again now and surprise reckon no probs found!!!!!
N Ross 10:13AM (12/09/2008)
Same here. 08 Mondeo Zetec TDCi 140 now booked in to be checked. Half a dozen times now on approach to a junction or roundabout, changing down gears, engine cuts out leaving no steering or brakes, able to jump start again immediately but worrying nonetheless, especially with young children in the car. Thought initially it was my dodgy driving, or perhaps a cold engine, but its happening too often for that. Also, rear seatbelt on driver side will not retract, so seems like that mechanism has gone (is this a warranty item?????). Other than that happy with car, but takes an age to heat up, and much noisier engine than my previous Mondeo. Condensation also a concern. Furthermore, if its been raining, on opening the boot, the runoff spills straight into the car!
nigel 8:27AM (12/29/2008)
hi only just found this autoblog, i have the exact same problem only had the car 10 months sometimes it runs for a month with no problems then it happens without warning nearly ran into central island when turning right on roundabouts twice because u cant steer the damn thing once it cuts out.Its due its service in feb but i doubt if ford will find anything wrong,otherwise its brill bit noisy in low gears but once past fifty cant fault it.
DAVID 3:10PM (3/02/2009)
YOU WILL FIND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY A OVER LARGE FLY WHEEL (SAIFD THE FORD MECHANIC - FORD ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM)...............................I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS................THERE IS NO CURE EXCEPT CHANGE DOWN TO FIRST.........IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.................I FEEL FORD SHOULD SEND OUT A WARNING NOTE TO EVERYONE
patrick Killeen 7:44AM (4/23/2008)
Got 1.6 petrol zetec in late August 2007.
Central armrest fell off within a month - repaired under warranty
On two occasions the oil pressure and battery light came on simultaneously - first time it 'went away' - second time garage called in car for software update.
Three weeks ago the info warning light came on with a big warning triangle with exclamation mark - Text on display said 'Engine Malfunction' - the accelerator did not respond and the engine tone was increasing and decreasing uncontrollably. I called the AA and they cancelled the fault only to suggest that they thought it was an intake sensor (of which there are four apparently)
No definitive answer basically.
TODAY... the best bit... arrived out to my car to find all four windows wide open!!! For God's sake... what is it with this car?
Phoned garage - they maintain a problem exists with the Global opening / closing module... If you own one of these cars and don't know what that is... go find out or you will arrive back to your car with everything inside stolen!!!
So, in 8 months - four faults... I thought I was getting a good car - I want rid of it. It is proving extremely unreliable. And, that is with 1 year and 4 months of the warranty still to go!!!
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goky 10:39AM (5/17/2008)
I'm looking the command for activating voice systems in the German language (new ford modeo)
Thanks
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David Smith 5:15PM (5/22/2008)
Paul, My son in law has very recently taken delivery of a brand new 2.0 tci mondeo and just like yours it keeps losing power. Ford say their computer doesn't show any fault and have returned the car to him. Whats the position with your vehicle now?
Dave
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Andy 1:43PM (6/07/2008)
Paul
Back in february I took delivery of a New Mondeo 2.0 TDCI 140 Ghia. I to have been having problems a couple of months ago on a roundabout it cut with an Audi nearly hitting me up the backside. This week funny enough I have had it happen 4 times 2 of those being in the same day and as you say its when you are slowing down and maybe changing in to second gear. It is currently at the local Ford dealers but judging by what you and other people have said I don't hold out a lot of hope of them finding anything wrong keep me posted with yours
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Gemma 6:37AM (10/13/2008)
I saw you posted a message a while back to do with the ford Mondeo. Are you still having problems? I have just taken mine back to the garage for the 4th time as it keeps losing power when i'm driving the other day i was in 4th gear scared the live out of me. Ford have claimed there has been no other cars with this problem. Just wondering who you took it to so i can say to ford mines isnt the only one?
Andy 1:57PM (10/13/2008)
Hi Gemma
I took my car to Busseys - my local Ford Dealer in Norwich - they downloaded a software patch for the ECU & touch wood I haven't had any problems since. A colleague of mine, with the same model vehicle, has also experienced the same problems as I had since he took delivery of the vehicle & has now booked it into Marshalls of Bury St Edmunds, so it will be interesting to see if they do the same download to the ECU to cure the problem - I will let you know the outcome, but in the meantime I would get your vehicle back to your Ford dealer & get them to take another look at it - it is both frightening & could be extremelly dangerous when the vehicle suddenly looses speed!! Good luck, let me know how you get on.
Regards,
Andy
Andy 3:23PM (6/09/2008)
Apparently my car is fixed it just needed a sofware upgrade for the ECU only time will tell if this has cured the problem.
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James Cunliffe 3:34PM (7/20/2008)
Bought new mondeo Titanium TDCi in December 07. Car has been back to Ford 4 times for battery going flat and 6 times for Air conditioning fault. problems still not resolved Quality car????
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nacapman 8:53AM (2/18/2009)
Has your electrical problem been fixed? Mine suffering exactly the same symptoms. AA called out 5 times. Two of the guys have identified a drain of between 0.5-1.2 amps when the car has been locked and supposedly shut down. With the bonnet open we could hear something 'fire up', but then close down.
Ford garage replaced radio, but that hasn't worked.
Any advice?
James Cunliffe 4:10PM (7/20/2008)
Battery flat again this morning called out AA. Jump started car told to go for a drive
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John Murphy 6:31PM (7/20/2008)
Like so many of the other comments i recently bought a new Mondeo 1.8 TDCI within 2 hours of driving the car it cut out 3 times twice while cornering and once on a roundabout. Took the car straight back to dealer. Surprise surprise no fault showed up . Dealer said they never had a problem like this before .They kept the car over the weekend to test drive themselves .Returned car Monday no fault found .So far so good the problem hasn't recurred .Does anyone have a definite answer as to the cause of this cutting out problem?
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mark barnett 5:01PM (9/26/2008)
listen up!!! bought brand new titanium x in december last year car has done 8500 miles and rear tyres are throught to the metal on the inside,wheel alignment being the problem,warranty book says wheel alignment is covered for 12 months ford says they have changed their policy and it is only 1 month now,won,t honour warranty,wont make any good will payments and if I hadn,t spotted this god knows what would have happened dealership said I COULDN,T DRIVE IT HOME AS IT WAS CLASSED AS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE,guys get the wheel alignment checked
ionvescu 12:00PM (10/21/2008)
2.0L engine Duratec (gasoline), just a "trend" with 5 doors, purchased in Nov 2007, in Romania. 18000km until now.
Great driving, no trouble, so far... except:
- noisy clutch (dan1664 said it too);
- the front/ passenger/ door refuses to close, at times It needs
to be slamed, then it works again. I noticed that the fault happened
when the car was left in high temperatures, summer time, under
direct sun hit. Just a coincidence? Of course, no fault found by the service guys...
The consumption goes to 8.0 - 8.3L/ 100km at an average speed
of 105km/hour. This was tested (few times) on Bucharest - Athens
trips (about 1100km of combined types of roads).
Enjoy and "feel the difference"!
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Lucy Melluish 12:45PM (10/28/2008)
As an employee of Ford Motor Company (nearly 19 years) and a manager with entitlement to 2 company vehicles you might (or perhaps not) be surprised by the fact that I do not take up either of the company cars. I currently drive a Renault. My husband (also a manager at Ford for 25 yrs) always drives a Mondeo. The current Mondeo (less than 1 year old) has problems with the battery - if you try to listen to the radio with the engine off it conks out after less than 10 minutes though it's supposed to last for an hour! The clutch burnt out when it was less than two months old and it bunt out again last Thursday (Oct 23rd). The company refuses to accept that this is their fault and are demanding £500 excess charge saying that the driver must have been 'riding the clutch' (whatever that means ....?). Bearing in mind we are both in our 40's and neither of us have ever had a problem with a clutch before it seems very unlikely that we could be responsible for a clutch burning out twice within a year... If this company treats it own managers so appallingly don't be surprised by the way it treats it's customers! NEVER EVER BUY A FORD VEHICLE. AS PAUL CALF WOULD SAY: 'IT'S A BAG OF SH*T' OR 'A SAC OF CAC'... Believe me, after 18 years of working for these charlatons I would really advise all of you to shop elsewhere. LMxx
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Linda West 4:46PM (6/28/2009)
Hi Lucy
MONDEO 08 TITANIUM CLUTCH FAILURE
Found your comments interesting and would like to know more about clutch failures. Parents have an 08 mondeo titanium which at 9,000 miles the clutch has now failed. Have been told warranty is invalid as towbar fitted, despite this being fitted by main dealer as vehicle was purchased with intention of towing a caravan! also quoted that base & 3 yr warranty does not cover friction related components when replacement due to wear and tear!! Now being quoted £800 repair bill and stuck 250 miles from home.
Really not happy and ready to do battle tomorrow on their behalf