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Buying guide

Ford Territory SX to SZ (2004 to 2016): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Ford Territory SX to SZ was built from 2004 to 2016 as an SUV, with an automatic gearbox, rear wheel drive or all wheel drive and petrol or diesel power. Chassis codes: SX, SY and SZ. 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
2004 to 2016
Chassis codes
SX, SY, SZ
Body types
SUV
Gearboxes
Automatic
Drive
RWD (rear wheel drive), AWD (all wheel drive)
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel

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 Territory SX and SY (2004 to 2011). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. Front ball joints

    Front ball joints are well known for wearing early, some by 30,000 km.

    Where to look
    The front lower ball joints, and the edges of the front tyres
    How to test
    Look for feathered outer edges or worn inner edges on the front tyres and listen for a loud thump over potholes. A hoist check of wheel play confirms it.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost ball joints and an alignment

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

  2. Rear suspension bushes

    Rear suspension bushes can wear early, causing squeaks or a rear that feels too soft. Ford changed the bush material during production.

    Where to look
    The rear suspension bushes
    How to test
    Listen for squeaks over bumps and feel for the rear moving around. Have a mechanic check the bushes.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost bushes and fitting

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

  3. Tailgate rust

    Moisture gets trapped inside the tailgate and it rusts, sometimes on cars under a year old.

    Where to look
    The lower edge of the tailgate under the rubber seal, and behind the tail lights
    How to test
    Open the tailgate, pull back the lower rubber and look for rust, and check behind the tail lights.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost tailgate repair or replacement

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

  4. Front brake shudder

    Warped front discs are common, more so on city cars.

    Where to look
    The front brake discs
    How to test
    Brake firmly from speed and feel for the pedal pulsing.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost discs machined or replaced

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

  5. Front brake hose recall (2009)

    Ford recalled Territorys built 1 February 2004 to 31 December 2008 for a possible front brake hose leak; turbo models were not affected.

    Where to look
    A silver foil label inside the driver door jamb
    How to test
    Look for the recall label in the driver door jamb; if it is missing, ask a Ford dealer to do the free repair.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost recall work is free at a Ford dealer

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

  6. Rear diff whine

    High km early cars can develop diff whine, more so if they have towed.

    Where to look
    The rear differential
    How to test
    Listen for a subtle whine from the rear and feel for vibration at open road speed.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost diff repair

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

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 4 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

  • Is it the 4.0 non turbo or turbo, and RWD or AWD?
  • Has the front brake hose recall label been fitted?
  • Have the front ball joints or rear bushes been replaced?
  • Is it a 5 or 7 seater?

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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