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Buying guide

Ford Falcon XR8 BA and BF (2002 to 2008): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Ford Falcon XR8 BA and BF was built from 2002 to 2008 as a sedan or ute, with a manual or automatic gearbox, rear wheel drive and petrol power. Chassis codes: BA and BF. Redline has a curated guide to its 6 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.

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Key facts

Years
2002 to 2008
Chassis codes
BA, BF
Body types
Sedan, Ute
Gearboxes
Manual, Automatic
Drive
RWD (rear wheel drive)
Fuel
Petrol

On NZ roads

Counting every one on the NZ register. The first look can take up to 15 seconds.

Known weak points

Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the Ford Falcon BA and BF (2002 to 2008). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. XR6 Turbo turbocharger

    The turbo can leak oil and fail. Cars past 150,000 km without a turbo change are seen as higher risk.

    Where to look
    The turbo on the exhaust side of the engine, and the exhaust
    How to test
    Watch for white smoke from the exhaust and ask whether the turbo has been replaced.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost turbo and fitting

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  2. Auto transmission cooler

    On BA and early BF autos the cooler inside the radiator can crack and mix coolant into the transmission fluid. Specialists fit an external cooler.

    Where to look
    The radiator and transmission cooler lines, and the transmission fluid
    How to test
    Ask whether an external cooler has been fitted. Check the gearbox shifts cleanly and does not hunt or hesitate.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost transmission damage if coolant gets in

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  3. Rust round the screens and sills

    Rust protection was not especially effective. Rust is reported round the front and rear screens, sills, lower door skins, boot hinges and wheel arches.

    Where to look
    The front and rear windscreen surrounds, sills, door bottoms, boot hinges and arches
    How to test
    Check each area and look underneath for replaced chassis rails or disturbed bolts that point to crash repairs.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost screen out rust repairs

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  4. Differential bushes

    Diff bushes failed in some cars after only 30,000 km.

    Where to look
    The rear diff mounting bushes
    How to test
    Accelerate hard from a stop and feel for axle tramp, and listen for clunks.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost aftermarket bushes

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  5. Brakes

    Premium discs give problems if abused.

    Where to look
    The front and rear discs
    How to test
    Feel for a pulsing pedal under light braking and look for grooves in the disc faces.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost discs and pads

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  6. Engine wear

    Engine wear shows as reluctance to start and smoke from the exhaust or oil filler cap.

    Where to look
    The exhaust and the oil filler cap
    How to test
    From cold, let it idle for a minute then rev it and watch for smoke at the exhaust and the filler.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost engine work

    Sources: marquenews.com.au (opens in a new tab)

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 1 November 2026.

What the cost bands mean
  • Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
  • Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
  • High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.

Service items

Questions to ask the seller

  • Has the turbo been replaced, and at what km?
  • Has an external transmission cooler been fitted?
  • Has it been tuned, and by whom?
  • Has the car had any rust or crash repairs?

New Zealand notes

  • Falcons were sold new in NZ and also come in from Australia. Check the compliance and service history.

A BA or BF XR suits a buyer after an affordable Aussie performance sedan who will check the turbo and gearbox cooler.

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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