MajorCommonSuspension

Ford Fairlane: Rear subframe rubber bush collapse

Rear subframe rubber bush collapse is a common suspension fault on the Ford Fairlane on the 1998–2007 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $600 to $1,400 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 9 documented faults on the Ford Fairlane.

Vehicle: Ford Fairlane
Years: 1998–2007
System: Suspension

This page covers the Ford Fairlane as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Ford Fairlane faults9 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

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

How to check it

Where to look. Underside of the car at the rear subframe mounting points

Attempt to move the subframe laterally by hand — any movement indicates bush failure. Check rear tyre wear pattern for signs of misalignment. If a workshop inspection is possible: On a hoist, inspect the rear subframe mounting bushes for cracking, tearing, or collapse.

What it costs to put right

$600 to $1,400 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Have the rear subframe bushes been replaced?”
“Any knocking from the rear suspension over bumps?”
“Has the rear of the car ever felt unsettled or unpredictable in corners?”

Now check the Ford Fairlane you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Ford Fairlane buyer questions

Is rear subframe rubber bush collapse serious on a Ford Fairlane?

We rate it major and common on the Ford Fairlane. 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.

How much does it cost to fix on a Ford Fairlane?

$600 to $1,400 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Ford Fairlane years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1998–2007 Ford Fairlane. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.