Ford1998–2007 Critical issues documented

Ford Fairlane BA: common faults & what to check

The BA is the Ford Fairlane built 2002–2009. It was sold here with the 4.0 inline-6 petrol and 5.4 V8 petrol. Of the 9 faults documented for the Fairlane, 7 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Ford Fairlane

Odometer history
Money owing
Reported stolen
Ownership history

Official NZ vehicle register data
NZ owned and operated

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Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$400–$1,400

Typical repair

Service milestones

You're looking at the BA

2 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

Ford Fairlane, BA (2002–2009) (KickTyres illustration)

2002–2009BA Selected2002–2009BA4.0 inline-6 petrolPetrolDocumented issues6 knownSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.

2002–2009BA Selected2002–2009BA5.4 V8 petrolPetrolDocumented issues5 knownSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it?

4.0 inline-6 petrol· 4.0 litre petrol 5.4 V8 petrol· 5.4 litre petrol

A 2002 Ford Fairlane is the BA generation (2002 to 2009).

Start your free check on this Ford Fairlane

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Ford Fairlane BAEngine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the Fairlane came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

Can't confirm for this car

Ford Fairlane · 2002

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Ford Fairlane before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

Costly issue
Attempt to move the subframe laterally by hand — any movement indicates bush failure.
See why
Rear subframe rubber bush collapse
The rear subframe on AU and BA/BF Fairlanes is located by large rubber bushes that harden and crack with age. Collapsed rear subframe bushes allow the rear axle to shift laterally under cornering loads, producing an unsettled, crabbing handling characteristic and rear-end wander. This is a documented deterioration on high-kilometre Fairlanes over 150,000 km and is worsened by NZ road surface conditions.
What you would notice
- Rear end feels loose or wanders under hard cornering
- Clonking or thudding from the rear over sharp bumps
- Uneven rear tyre wear
- Car appears to track diagonally or crab slightly at speed
Typically $600–$1,400 to put right.
Costly issue
Trace the high-pressure power steering hose from the pump to the rack along its full length.
See why
Power steering high-pressure hose perishing and leaking
The high-pressure power steering hose between the pump and the rack perishes with heat and age on AU/BA/BF Fairlanes, typically after 15 years or 150,000 km. The rubber hose develops cracks at the crimped fittings or along the outer sheath, leaking power steering fluid onto the subframe and surrounding components. Unchecked fluid loss leads to pump whine and progressive steering heaviness. This is a widespread age-related failure common across the Fairlane and Falcon platform.
What you would notice
- Power steering fluid puddle forming under the engine bay
- Whining noise from the power steering pump, worsening on full lock
- Low fluid level in the power steering reservoir
- Progressively heavy or stiff steering
Typically $300–$700 to put right.
Costly issue
Lift the boot carpet to inspect the floor and spare well for rust and water, and check the sills and rear window surround.
See why
Boot floor and sill rust
Older Fairlanes develop rust in the boot floor, sills and around the rear window, a structural WOF concern in NZ's climate. Water ingress into the boot accelerates corrosion.
What you would notice
- Rust in boot floor
- Sill corrosion
- Damp boot / water ingress
- Bubbling around rear window
Typically $400–$3,000 to put right.
Common issue
Inspect the front lower control arm bushes for cracking and play, and drive over bumps listening for knocks.
See why
Front lower control arm bush wear
The Fairlane's front lower control arm bushes wear out, causing knocks, wandering steering and uneven tyre wear. A common wear item on these large sedans that affects WOF and handling.
What you would notice
- Knocking over bumps
- Wandering steering
- Uneven front tyre wear
- Clunk under braking
Typically $250–$1,200 to put right.

Ford Fairlane service schedule

The 2 engines a 2002 Ford Fairlane was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

AU Series II · 2000–2002 · 4.0L Intech I6 - Standard Trim

Petrol

Due by distance

200,000 km
Refresh the cooling system, including replacing the radiator and hoses, as plastic components reach end of design life.
250,000 km
Service the automatic transmission fluid and filter for continued smooth shifting.
300,000 km
Flush the transmission fluid and filter to maintain the heavy-duty transmission's longevity.

AU Series II · 2000–2002 · 5.0L Windsor V8 - Ghia Trim

Petrol

Due by distance

150,000 km
Check the timing chain stretch and engine mount health.
200,000 km
Replace the differential oil and check the driveshaft centre bearing.
250,000 km
Inspect the cooling system hoses and radiator health.

See all 7 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked.

Body, brakes, suspension & interior3

01Boot floor and sill rust

Lift the boot carpet to inspect the floor and spare well for rust and water, and check the sills and rear window surround.petrol2000–2007Body & Rust$400–$3,000

OccasionalBody & Rust $400–$3,000 to fix

Older Fairlanes develop rust in the boot floor, sills and around the rear window, a structural WOF concern in NZ's climate. Water ingress into the boot accelerates corrosion.

Symptoms to notice

Rust in boot floor
Sill corrosion
Damp boot / water ingress
Bubbling around rear window

What to check

Lift the boot carpet to inspect the floor and spare well for rust and water, and check the sills and rear window surround.

Where to look: Boot floor, sills, rear window surround

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

Ask the seller

“Any rust in the boot floor or sills?”
“Does water get into the boot?”

02Rear subframe rubber bush collapse

Attempt to move the subframe laterally by hand — any movement indicates bush failure.1998–2007Suspension$600–$1,400Read the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03Front lower control arm bush wear

Inspect the front lower control arm bushes for cracking and play, and drive over bumps listening for knocks.petrol2000–2007Suspension$250–$1,200

CommonSuspension $250–$1,200 to fix

The Fairlane's front lower control arm bushes wear out, causing knocks, wandering steering and uneven tyre wear. A common wear item on these large sedans that affects WOF and handling.

Symptoms to notice

Knocking over bumps
Wandering steering
Uneven front tyre wear
Clunk under braking

What to check

Inspect the front lower control arm bushes for cracking and play, and drive over bumps listening for knocks.

Where to look: Front lower control arm bushes

Parts involved: Ball joint.

Ask the seller

“Any front-end knocking?”
“Have the control arm bushes been replaced?”

Fluid leaks1

04Power steering high-pressure hose perishing and leaking

Trace the high-pressure power steering hose from the pump to the rack along its full length.petrol1998–2007Fluid Leaks$300–$700Read the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

Depends on the exact engine — 3 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.

Engine, transmission & cooling3

01BA/BF Barra coolant loss via cylinder head

Check for coolant loss, inspect for external and internal leaks, look for exhaust steam, and review any overheating history.petrol2000–2007CoolingCan't confirm for this car$500–$4,000

OccasionalCooling $500–$4,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

BA/BF Fairlane models with the Barra 4.0 six can lose coolant through cylinder head porosity or gasket issues, risking overheating. A known Barra concern requiring careful cooling system checks.

Symptoms to notice

Coolant loss without obvious leak
Overheating
White exhaust smoke
Coolant smell

What to check

Check for coolant loss, inspect for external and internal leaks, look for exhaust steam, and review any overheating history.

Where to look: Cylinder head and cooling system, Barra 4.0

Parts involved: Cylinder head.

Ask the seller

“Any coolant loss or overheating?”
“Has the head or head gasket been worked on?”

025.4 V8 cam phaser / VCT tick

Listen for VCT tick on cold start, scan for cam timing codes, and ask about cam phaser replacement history on 5.4 V8 cars.petrol2000–2007EngineCan't confirm for this car$1,200–$4,000

OccasionalEngine $1,200–$4,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

Fairlane models with the 5.4 V8 can suffer cam phaser (VCT) rattle and tick, especially on cold start. Worn phasers cause noise and can affect running if not addressed.

Symptoms to notice

Cold-start tick/rattle
VCT fault codes
Rough running
Reduced power

What to check

Listen for VCT tick on cold start, scan for cam timing codes, and ask about cam phaser replacement history on 5.4 V8 cars.

Where to look: 5.4 V8 cam phasers

Ask the seller

“Any ticking on cold start with the V8?”
“Have the cam phasers been replaced?”

03Barra 4.0L inline-six plastic intake manifold cracking

petrol1998–2007EngineCan't confirm for this car$400–$900Read the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

Other Ford Fairlane engines and years2 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.

Engine, transmission & cooling1

01Radiator's built-in transmission cooler lets coolant into the gearbox - 'the milkshake' (BA/BF Fairlane)

Check this before you drive the car, because it is the most expensive thing that goes wrong with these.petrol2003–2006TransmissionDoes not apply$3,500–$8,000

CommonTransmission $3,500–$8,000 to fix

Does not apply

The BA and early BF Fairlane shares the Falcon's cooling and transmission layout, where the automatic's fluid is cooled by a heat exchanger built into the bottom tank of the radiator. When the wall between the two circuits corrodes, pressurised engine coolant is forced into the transmission and transmission fluid escapes into the coolant, giving the pink-brown frothy mixture the nickname comes from. It destroys the clutch packs and valve body, often within a few hundred kilometres, and it leaves contamination in the cooler lines so a rebuilt gearbox is ruined again if the radiator and lines are not replaced and flushed at the same time. Ford moved to an external cooler from BF II onwards. There was no recall. On a long-wheelbase car that has often lived as a wedding or airport hire vehicle, idling in traffic with a heavy load is exactly the duty cycle that brings it on.

Symptoms to notice

Pink, brown or frothy 'strawberry milkshake' fluid on the transmission dipstick
Oily film or brown scum floating in the coolant expansion tank
Coolant level dropping with no external leak anywhere
Harsh, slipping or flaring gearchanges
Transmission warning or the car dropping into limp mode

What to check

Check this before you drive the car, because it is the most expensive thing that goes wrong with these.
With the engine cold, look into the coolant expansion tank with your phone torch: clean coloured coolant is fine, an oily brown film, scum around the neck or a milkshake colour is not.
Then pull the transmission dipstick at the back of the engine on the passenger side and wipe it on a white tissue: healthy fluid is clear red and smells sharp, contaminated fluid is pink-brown, cloudy or frothy.
Look where the two gearbox cooler pipes run into the bottom of the radiator for weeping or crusty pink residue.
On the test drive, note any flare between gears or a change that arrives late and then thumps in.
Ask whether an external transmission cooler has been fitted and the radiator one bypassed, and ask for the invoice.
Ask what work the car did in its first life, because hire and wedding cars spend a lot of time hot and idling.

Where to look: Bottom tank of the radiator at the front of the engine bay where the two transmission cooler pipes enter; the evidence shows on the transmission dipstick and in the coolant expansion tank.

Parts involved: Radiator.

Ask the seller

“Has an external transmission cooler been fitted and the radiator one bypassed?”
“Has the radiator ever been replaced, and when?”
“When was the transmission fluid and filter last changed?”
“Was this car ever a hire, wedding or chauffeur vehicle?”

Electrical1

01Barra six coil-pack breakdown causing a cylinder misfire (BA/BF Fairlane)

Start the engine from cold, rest your hand on the gear lever and feel for a regular shake or hesitation that a healthy six simply does not have.petrol2003–2007ElectricalDoes not apply$250–$950

Very commonElectrical $250–$950 to fix

Does not apply

The BA/BF Fairlane uses the same Barra six as the Falcon, with one ignition coil per cylinder sitting directly on top of each spark plug. The moulded resin around the windings hardens with heat and develops hairline cracks - often too fine to see - and the spark leaks out through the body of the coil into the cylinder head instead of jumping the plug gap. That cylinder stops firing under load, the engine light comes on, and raw fuel goes down the exhaust, which eventually cooks the catalytic converter. Specialists report cheap replacement coils failing again within 20,000 km, so the brand fitted matters. They are normally replaced as a set of six along with the spark plugs. On a heavy long-wheelbase car a single dead cylinder is very obvious on hills.

Symptoms to notice

Shudder or stumble under load, worst uphill or in damp weather
Engine warning light on, or flashing during acceleration
Rough lumpy idle, sometimes only when cold or damp
Clear loss of power and a jerky feel on part throttle
Smell of unburnt fuel from the exhaust

What to check

Start the engine from cold, rest your hand on the gear lever and feel for a regular shake or hesitation that a healthy six simply does not have.
Watch the engine warning light: it should light up with the key and go out once running.
If it stays on, or comes on during your drive, the car needs diagnosis before you buy, and if it flashes, stop driving, because a flashing light means a misfire that is actively cooking the catalytic converter.
On the test drive find a hill and squeeze the accelerator gently from about 2,000 rpm in a high gear, because a coil that is breaking down shows up as a shudder under load long before it shows at idle.
Open the bonnet and look along the top of the engine at the six coils sitting on the plugs; cracked, chalky or oil-soaked coil bodies, or one coil that is obviously newer than the other five, tells you a story.
Ask when the coils and spark plugs were last done and whether genuine or budget parts were used.

Where to look: Six individual coil packs sitting on the cam cover along the top of the inline-six, under a plastic engine cover.

Parts involved: Ignition coil.

Ask the seller

“When were the coil packs and spark plugs last replaced, and with what brand?”
“Is the engine light on now, or has it been on recently?”
“Does it misfire when it is damp, or after the engine bay has been washed?”
“Has the catalytic converter ever been replaced?”

Ford Fairlane faults in detail

Narrowed to the Ford Fairlane · 2002. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

Barra 4.0L inline-six plastic intake manifold crackingMajor · Engine Power steering high-pressure hose perishing and leakingMajor · Fluid Leaks Rear subframe rubber bush collapseMajor · Suspension

Other Ford models

Ford Ranger45 documented faults Ford Focus37 documented faults Ford Falcon36 documented faults Ford Endeavour7 documented faults Ford Transit Custom7 documented faults Ford Fairmont24 documented faults

Ford Fairlane buyer questions

Is the Ford Fairlane reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 9 documented faults for the Ford Fairlane, the recurring problem areas are transmission, cooling, and engine. A Ford Fairlane with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Ford Fairlane?

We've catalogued 9 known faults for the Ford Fairlane, covering transmission, cooling, and engine. All 9 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Ford Fairlane?

Most single repairs on the Ford Fairlane fall between $400–$1,400 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 9 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Ford Fairlane?

Yes. A Ford Fairlane inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.