New MM owner with a few questions

[sconut1]

Hi:

On Thursday, I pick up my new (used) car. It's a 2003 MM, with 39,000 Mi. The car still has factory warranty, but I want to buy an exteded warranty. There are a number of ESP offerings I can buy through Ford. My question for you folks is: What are problem areas on these vehicles? I figure if if there's some common stuff that goes wrong, I'll buy the warranty to match.

Oh, one more question. Has anyone installed the fuel tank shield on their MM? This is the one that was made available for CVPIs for free from Ford? I'm curious as to what's involved to install this as I'd prefer not to pay for labor to install it if it's easy to do. Ford says it's not necessay to install this for civlian cars, but better safe that sorry I think.

Thanks in advance for your help and I'm Looking forward to chatting with you folks.

[Hack Goby]

Theres not one reason to.Don`t waste your money.Welcome to the site.

[TiTo35]

Paint seems to be a HUGE common problem for 2003s
Soft real axles...
Your belt may do a lil squeaking...
Some people have problems with the BFG on the rear...
Umm...Your air may blow thru the defroster...

I cant think of anything else right now but I am sure some one will chime in to extend this list.

[ckadiddle]

wacky wiper syndrome
wacky mirror syndrome
electric radiator fan switchie thingie
bad shock
some other things I can't remember


I have had a bunch of minor issues over time, ESP took care of them. I don't mechanic on my own cars, because everything I touch turns to crap. The ESP plan I bought on the 2003 MM has already paid for itself. The 2004 I bought for my wife does not have any warranty on it, yet. It will be getting an Easy Care plan as soon as I can afford it. I intend to keep these cars for some years to come, and I don't repair my own cars, so the warranties are a good deal for me.

[TiTo35]

ckadiddle....slow down...dont make the list TOOOOOOO long for him...he may not want to keep the car!


Then maybe I can have 2!!:rolleyes:

[sconut1]

Ckadiddle:

What ESP did you have? Powertain Care, Base Care, Extra Care or Premium Care? I'm inclined to go with the Base Care (84 Components)

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard. I only buy PremiumCare. It covers 500+ components.
Enjoy the site.

[Go Mifuni]

I've had my '03 for five years this September and have 106k on the od. The only problems have been:

1. Bad roof paint
2. E-brake disintegrated
3. Soft rear axle syndrome (replacing them this weekend)
4. Water pump pulley fell off
5. Ride leveling air compressor
6. Climate control blower
7. Rear shocks

Not too shabby me thinks.

[Aren Jay]

Several things that might go wrong you will likely mod away.

However, as noted above except for the rear axle, which you will fix with a 4.10 upgrade, you might want to get the warranty for the above mentioned things. AC is an expensive problem, also something about the power steering squeak or whine.

[bigbillybbs]

A/C...!

I have 60K on the clock only problem was the A/C..

[ckadiddle]

Ckadiddle:

What ESP did you have? Powertain Care, Base Care, Extra Care or Premium Care? I'm inclined to go with the Base Care (84 Components)
Premium. I was aware from reading reviews that the MM is a "parts bin" car, assembled mainly from tried and true pieces of other Ford products, but I felt it would be wise to cover everything since it is a totally new combination of all those cool parts together into something beautiful.

All my issues have been minor, none have stranded me on the road. I did have a dead OEM battery (at home) and didn't realize that it would be covered since I was still under the original 3/36 warranty at the time. (Doh!) The engine and transmission are still running strong, heading towards 50000 miles.

[jgc61sr2002]

Congrats and welcome aboard.:D

[sconut1]

Thanks for all the responses. I can't afford the Premium Care version, so I'll have to go for the Extra Care warranty. It looks like it covers the air compressor for the suspension, and the AC as well as a lot of other stuff that looks expensive.

That being said, it looks like these are really good cars, and they don't seem to have much trouble. Mind you, they should be good given the excellent track record of the Crown Victoria.

By the way, any one have the fuel tanks shield installed on their Marauder? I'd like to try to install this myself, but if I have to drop the tank or re-route fuel lines, I'll leave it to the dealer.

Thanks again for all the input

[RoyLPita]

I would try to get some extra money together and get the PremiumCare policy. It covers parts like the a/c control head, radio, plus check engine light parts and air bag components to mention a few.

[SID210SA]

69K on mine and the only issues:

Headlight switch is supposed to light up...$103.00 cause they cant just replace the bulb
A/C EATC $600.00
Rear Shocks $80.00 a piece
Solonoid short in Trans....Warranty covered....I am also the only one that I know of that had this issue.

[Svashtar]

I've had my '03 for five years this September and have 106k on the od. The only problems have been:

1. Bad roof paint
2. E-brake disintegrated
3. Soft rear axle syndrome (replacing them this weekend)
4. Water pump pulley fell off
5. Ride leveling air compressor
6. Climate control blower
7. Rear shocks

Not too shabby me thinks.

Well, I love my MM, but compared to an import, yeah I think it's not doing as well. On a $34K car you shouldn't have had that many issues IMO, although the shocks are to be expected after that many miles.

I owned 2 Toyotas with a combined mileage of over 400,000 miles and took 1 of them to the dealer 1 time, right after I bought it, to get an optional clock installed in the dash of the truck.

In 3.5 years I've had my MM at the dealer FOURTEEN times, all for mostly minor stuff. Yesterday it was the power pedals, and under the Premium ESP plan for the first time it cost me $100. Every time I take it in I'm afraid they'll break something, and have to watch them like a hawk. The damn pedals have been used maybe 6 or 7 times a year and they're already broken?

So far, radio, headlamp assembly (moisture), left turn signal lens (scratched), right turn signal lens (molding), alignment, fuel sending unit (TSB), RR window scratched by loose regulator, carpet trim falling off, center console cracked, lighting control module, multi-function switch for wipers, clockspring (air bag light), 1 axle shaft, bearing and seal because of a bad bearing (not soft axle issue), drivers master switch (lights inop), and the pedals. Not to mention the clear coat, which the service manager told me was the worst she had ever seen. They repainted a couple of door panels and the trunk lid, but sanded and clearcoated the rest. The OASIS report Brian got for me says that they "repainted the hood", but that's not true. They just sanded it out and clearcoated.

And I was an idiot and SHOULD have gotten the back window replaced by the Mfr. under the 3/36 when I bought the car, or after as I had plenty of time, as there are some bubbles under the black trim. They would have done it too, but I thought I had until 75K because of the ESP. Stupid. The premium ESP won't cover that now. But I'm a picky SOB and most people don't notice it. And to be fair that was the supplier who goofed, not Ford.

But not one thing wrong with the drivetrain. It has run and handled great, and compared to some guys I've gotten off easy. They really did a good job where it counts I think. But this little stuff drives you crazy, and it just shouldn't be happening. But don't despair future buyers, "Yes, Ford is now even with Toyota in Quality." (Cough...)

Norm

[red]

Oh, one more question. Has anyone installed the fuel tank shield on their MM? This is the one that was made available for CVPIs for free from Ford? I'm curious as to what's involved to install this as I'd prefer not to pay for labor to install it if it's easy to do. Ford says it's not necessay to install this for civlian cars, but better safe that sorry I think.
I ordered the kit from fordparts.com (IIRC), and I had it installed by the local dealership for ~$90 (one hour of labor). Since I have an aftermarket differential cover, the rubber guard for it would not fit. In addition to the kit, the dealership had to replace the gas tank strap bolts.

[sconut1]

Gas tank strap bolts huh?

Sounds like the tank does have to be moved to install this then. I think I'll let the dealer do the work for me then.

[whd507]

I wouldn't bother with the shield, and put that money towards the premium care option.

my 03 had the axle issue, but the premium care paid off when the A/C head went south last summer, plus a window regulator or two.

the air suspension is easy and cheap to fix, don't worry about it (but replace the air drier every few years)


you bought a very solid car. I sell auto parts for a living, I see many cars frequently for similar issues. newer north american fords seldom need much more than DPFE sensors and replace the COPS as needed (EGR sensor, and coil on plug)

many of the cars that are considered reliable have re-occurring issues more irritating.

[TAKEDOWN]

No matter what... you made the right decision, enjoy and WELCOME!

[03-300a]

Well I have 260019 happy miles the only problem is the paint which I plan on doing this month the radio and the rear axle problem because of the miles I'm not eligible for extended warranties