ST problems

[RSgerry]

I love my ST. I love the looks, I love the way it drives, it has the greatest seats known to man and the steering wheel is truly a thing of beauty. But why the hell cant Ford just screw their cars together properly? Sometimes I wish I had bought the less-fun MPS instead.
It started with a paint imperfection that required the door to be resprayed. It has been back 3 times for a window that moves in an out slightly at any speed and causes a buffeting noise. This still hasn't been fixed. Sometimes the SYNC doesn't recognise any devices external to it...ipod via USB, Bluetooth, nothing. If emergency assist cant even find a phone two feet from it, how does it direct the emergency services to a car that is miles away from them? The Satnav is borderline useless.
And now, tonight, the entire Sony unit just wouldn't light up. No screen, no backlit buttons, nothing. So, back it goes AGAIN for this to be looked at. This is a brand new car with 6500kms on it.
It is a great looking car that drives beautifully, but these issues should not show up on a $40k new car. My wifes 7 year old Mazda, which we bought new, has had less issues.

[D Block]

Mate can sense your disappointment and can understand completely. It worries me that the paint imperfection got as far down the line as the customer. Ford need to sort out build quality and engineering issues on the import models or they will be out of excuses and out of the Australian market inside 10 years.

[DJM83]

What a shame mate. The ST is an awesome car. There have been a few issues that people have had though, I guess its like any car.
Has your sync been updated?
What maps do you have?

[hazrd]

Originally Posted by DJM83

What a shame mate. The ST is an awesome car. There have been a few issues that people have had though, I guess its like any car.
Has your sync been updated?
What maps do you have?

What DJ said.
8900kms and 99% flawless (had a few minor issues but my dealer was really good to me in sorting it out). I guess this model ST is still fairly new (massive, massive change from the previous ST/XR5) and they need to work out the bugs I guess.

My maps work great and never had a problem connecting my phone to it (SGS3-4G). The issue you mention about how it starts up but shows a blank screen. Does everything still work? Mine does this sometimes. Screen is blank, but can flick through songs/radio stations and still adjust volume. If I change to something like AUX/CD/Radio, the screen comes back for me. Doesnt really bother me though. 4 months and its only done it about 3 times.

Best of luck with getting them sorted though mate.

[pajoda]

Sounds like you are having a bad run, and there are always some that have multiple issues with mass produced cars. With electronics this is hit and miss in any industry, nobody can lay claim to every device being perfect, every time. No excuse for the paint though.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Geez RSgerry, you must have got the Monday or Friday model

Really, the only issues I have had to date (touch wood) is that the handbrake has a tendency to rattle, but only ever seems to do it in the afternoons and the fact that the drivers door rattles a little, in that it seems as though the striker just needs adjusting a little. I wonder if this is actually the same as your window buffeting issue? Can you describe for me the symptoms?

As for your other issues, I haven't had need to use the sat/nav yet, as I don't really need it out this way (I know my way to work, could just about do it with my eyes closed!) so haven't really had the opportunity to discover how good or bad it is. The paintwork on my car is great. Heaps better than either the Territory or the previous G6. And I've run over just about every painted surface with the Zaino gear to protect it, so I've looked pretty closely at most of it. Haven't really had any SYNC issues to date either.

Craig H

[Polyal]

Im sure this is not the first time Ford has had issues with the Sony units or visa versa.

Hope you get it sorted, but I can understand its the 1%'ers that can make or break the experience.

[gassed250]

Yeah id have to say the ST is a bit of a **** tin (maybe that's what ST means) when it come to build quality, my great wall V200 is better !

[DJM83]

The build quality on my ST is awesome.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by gassed250

Yeah id have to say the ST is a bit of a **** tin (maybe that's what ST means) when it come to build quality, my great wall V200 is better !

Not sure what ST you are looking at, but I've looked at quite a few Great Wall's and I can assure you that the build quality of my ST is light years better than any Great Wall I've ever looked at. In fact, both my Territory and previous G6 were better than the Great Wall's and my ST is in a different league to them!!!

Craig H

[black13]

Only isue i've had with mine was the satnav being crap, 4 times when i needed to use it only once it took me too the destination. Ford au rang me recently about my thoughts on the st after 20k kms, i told them no issues except for the satnav, they upgraded to the latest version for free. If your having issues like that i would speak to someone at ford & voice your concerns

[GC1]

Sorry to hear about your car. Mine has been perfect over 9000ks

[pajoda]

Most of us are the same, Gerry has had a bad run, can happen to any of us. Hope it comes together Gerry.

[gassed250]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

Not sure what ST you are looking at, but I've looked at quite a few Great Wall's and I can assure you that the build quality of my ST is light years better than any Great Wall I've ever looked at. In fact, both my Territory and previous G6 were better than the Great Wall's and my ST is in a different league to them!!!

Craig H

and yet even your ST has more problems than my great wall with its hand brake and door rattles


well I own a January 2013 ST 16000km and a December 2012 GWM V200 36000km

so far the ST has been back to the dealer for moisture in the headlights and centre stop light, rear bumper, wing and side skirts refitted (falling off), new seat rails (to much play), new rear fuel line (rubbing on body) loose drivers door and more rattles than I can count, reverse cam played up and it needed the ECU reset due to an Engine failure warning on the dash, Im actually at the point where I don't like to drive it as the problems frustrate the hell out of me


My V200 has had a broken rear door handle that I actually broke by trying to open the door when it was locked and that's it !

so I say with 100% confidence that MY Great walls build quality is better than that of MY Focus ST

I Also bought an EL GLi wagon new, that was the biggest piece of junk I have ever owned, I actually swore never to buy another aussie built ford again !

And I was recently given an FG XT as a courtesy car while the ST was being repaired and well that was on par with the EL

[RSgerry]

Thanks all for the responses. Hazrd...I often get a blank screen, but the time shows and it all works, I just need to press a button for the track to show. Last night was no reverse camera, nothing. It looked like it had been switched off, yet it still played the ipod. In true Ford fashion, it seems to have fixed itself overnight, something the Escorts were very good at doing.
I rarely use the maps, but three times I have had to go to places I didn't know. Once it got me to the front door, once about 2 kms away on a different street, the last time 2 kms and it still wanted me to keep going.
Ford acknowledge there are issues with SYNC. The best response from Ford (on their website) is turn it off and on again. This is Ford, Sony and Microsoft...3 of the worlds biggest companies and they cant get a radio to work properly.
gassed250...a few years ago I bought a new AU3 XR6 and also swore I would never buy another new Ford or Aussie built car again. I thought the ST would be better coming from Germany. Our Mazda SP23 has, build quality wise, been the best car we have ever owned. I chose the ST over the MPS because the Maz was just not as much fun to drive and the interior was a lot more dated.
Besides these niggles, I love driving the car. I love the way it goes, stops and takes corners.

[aratic]

Mines been pretty good, apart from a few rattles and occasionally the drivers headlight fogging after washing.

I hear you about Mazdas, my mrs has an 8 year old 3 which doesn't have one rattle after over 130,000 km and has never had any problems!

I'd be pretty ****ed off as well, but I guess you've gotta keep on the dealer to fix the problems.

[gassed250]

Originally Posted by RSgerry

I thought the ST would be better coming from Germany.

My thoughts exactly !

[DJM83]

Since owning mine, the issues ive had are.
Water in high stop light, fixed.
Rear Ford badge replaced.
Headunit sometimes doesnt show song info, turn it off and on and its fixed.
This is my second German Ford and from where I sit they have been pretty much faultless.

Hopefully you get your issues sorted guys, as you already know the ST is an awesome car.

[pajoda]

My issues have been:

Compliance sticker needed updating......apparently
Passenger door speaker region used to vibrate on rough roads, pulled the cover off and replaced, now fixed.

Appears I am lucky with mine (touch wood).

[WILDB]

My ST had it's first birthday earlier this week - it's had no problems worth mentioning during this time, by comparison to my old FG which was an utter POS.

Hope your issues get sorted RSerry and you can get back to enjoying the ST.

[Franco Cozzo]

Surprising there is an issue with the German built Fords, my WS Fez has fantastic build quality, only now its showing some minor issues after 4 years:

- Window switches popping out of their holes
- Dash vents fell out of the dash (the plastic ones on the sides)

[RSgerry]

psychobimbo...apologies for not responding. The best way I can describe the sound is the glass sounds like it is moving in and out over bumps, causing a buffeting kind of sound. It is not a rattle as such, but no unlike the sound when a rear window is down in the car, but nowhere near as loud. Now that you mention it, it could well be the door. I will have a listen in the morning for it.

[gassed250]

Originally Posted by RSgerry

The best way I can describe the sound is the glass sounds like it is moving in and out over bumps, causing a buffeting kind of sound.

next time it does it reach to the top of the window frame and slip your fingers between the glass and that little plastic thing in the top corner of the frame and pull the it in towards you !

My ST does it to, the door doesn't seat against the rubber hard enough and the entire door shakes over bumps

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by RSgerry

psychobimbo...apologies for not responding. The best way I can describe the sound is the glass sounds like it is moving in and out over bumps, causing a buffeting kind of sound. It is not a rattle as such, but no unlike the sound when a rear window is down in the car, but nowhere near as loud. Now that you mention it, it could well be the door. I will have a listen in the morning for it.

Hey RSgerry,

Very belated response, but I have just had my 15000km servicing completed, and I had the guys have a look at the door/window issue for me.

Turns out the door was not quite closing properly, but after adjusting the striker plate the guys were able to get it closing properly and now the noise that was being generated before-hand is gone

I actually thought it was the window at one stage as the vibration appeared to cease as soon as the window was cracked open, but the is what the guys found.

Hope that helps.

Craig H

[gassed250]

I still mildly dislike my ST and its growing list of annoying problems and still think my V200is better

[ronnas07]

I love the ST and had one stall issue but otherwise its been perfect.

[hazrd]

had my fair share of problems, but still love the car

[RSgerry]

psychobimbo...Thanks very much. you have nailed it. Legend.

[BadMax]

Originally Posted by gassed250

I still mildly dislike my ST and its growing list of annoying problems and still think my V200is better

Mate, my missus has an ST, apart from a minor defect in the gear boot and some water staining on the windscreen pillar trims, it's fine. I've also repaired a couple Great Walls and they are a disgrace of engineering and build quality! Genuine supplied panels do not fit, have holes stamped in wrong positions, the works!
They should never have been allowed on Australian roads, the are utter garbage and not required in the market along with many Chinese brands of cars.

[Copie]

Yeah mine gets that annoying sync issue where it won't reconigse anything as well, only very occasionally though. Was perfect before they updated it to include emergency assistance.