Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130 Ghia 5dr Review

Overall Rating

Good overall mpg (45).
Comfortable long distance cruiser.

Engine cuts out momentarilary (1-2 secs) about once a week. Ford don't seem to be able to fix it. Seems to be a common fault experienced by other company car drivers.

Has anyone else experienced the engine cutting out while travelling at motorway speeds?
At present mine does this approx once a week (every 1000 miles) for approx 1-2 secs and then fires back up again. It's a bit disconcerting as the brakes and power steering go as well.
Ford dealer doesn't seem to understand or fix it (What's new !!)

Members' Comments onGeoffbull's Review

• gazza1 on 11th Feb 2006

  had cutting out problem on my 54 plate ghia tdci. ford updated the software and cleared it.

• crog1964 on 10th May 2006

  I too have encountered this problem with my 130 ps Ghia hatchback. It has cut out on me 5 times now since Jan 05 with all the electrics and power steering cutting out. On looking at the dash, I found that the glow plug warning light was flashing at me and I had to totally restart the car while coasting with my foot on the clutch. The Ford garage have checked it many times and although trying to be helpful, have told me that the ECU has not recorded any faults??? It's become a real worry as I never know when it's going to cut out and at present the Ford dealer say without an engine fault code, there is nothing they can do!!

• EllonBairn on 27th Jul 2006

  My Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130 5 dr engine cut out this morning on the dual carriageway on my way to work - a frightening experience.
  I managed to pull off the road with difficulty as power steering had gone, waited a minute or two, restarted but the engine cut out some 400 metres further on.
  
  I didn't take the car to a Ford dealer as it was out of warranty (by merely 2 weeks) and the garage has just informed me that they think it is something to do with the Camshaft. However, having read your comments and others I'm not sure about this. It gives me even less confidence to hear that the Ford dealers don't even seem to know what the problem is. Can anyone offer any advice/assistance as I'm doubting whether the garage's conclusions are correct.

• gonk on 3rd Aug 2006

  Just bought a 2003 (facelift) 130 tdci. Has cut out 3 times in 700 miles.. Ford dealer said all 4 injectors need replacing as they re "overfuelling"... cost £925! Car runs fine with excellent economy so I was sceptical.. Took car to a Delphi dealer (Delpi makes the injectors etc) and a seemingly knowledgeable technician said there is no way that all 4 injectors would need replacing and it will be extremely difficult to pinpoint because of the rarity of the fault. In 2003 Ford issued a service bulletin about TDCI mondeos cutting out due to failure of the block connector for the fuel pressure sensor. A kit containing the connector was made available. This seems more likely to me to be the cause so Im going to check that out when I get a chance.

• EllonBairn on 1st Sep 2006

  Thankfully my car hasn't cut out since the camshaft sensor was replaced on 27 July. The car seems to be running ok but there is now a rattling noise every time I switch on the engine, with the air conditioning already on. As soon as I turn the air conditioning off, or drive for a few hundred yards, the rattling stops. The garage said they have no idea what the problem is and have suggested going to my dealer (which I already don't really trust)
  Has anybody any thoughts?
  Also a burning smell at the rear of the car (exhaust side) after driving on medium (20 miles) to long distance journeys. Again the garage can not detect any problem.

• Terry Cotgrove on 22nd Sep 2006

  ON occasions my engine has cut out with the glow plug indicator flashing. With the foot on the clutch it has instantly restarted and driven normally. I've had the Ford Mondeo for three years, and it has happened about five or six times. It happened to me this morning again, after about a year's gap since the last incident. It is a bit disconcerting when it happens, but if you keep your cool there is not a problem.

• gazza1 on 13th Oct 2006

  Having had 2 cam sensors, the fault seems to be a faulty crank sensor. Apparently they work in conjunction with each other.
  
  I also had the dreaded rumble sorted under warranty with tsb-18 (new bottom pulley and tensioner+belt) far quieter now.
  
  I have just got an annoying clunk on the steering now.
  
  Overall, the Ford Mondeo is excellent - just a few teething probs.

• derek1966 on 21st Jul 2007

  Excellent review by Geoff bull. My Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130 GhiaX 5dr 2006 cuts out just like yours. What do we do?

• vcservices on 23rd Jan 2008

  Just like everybody else my 2004 Mondeo has cut out with the glow plug indicator flashing, this has happened several times in the last 6 months. Sadly the last time this happened the engine refused to run properly and sounded terrible. It is at this moment in the garage waiting to see what the problem may be, it has been suggested it could be injector related. Never had any problems with my petrol Mondeo.

• goldstar 07 on 2nd Mar 2008

  I have a 53 reg Mondeo bought it second hand in 2007 keeps cutting out while driving even at 70mph I have read all the comments on this site hopefully it will help me to help the garage get it sorted as they say there is nothing wrong with it!

• vcservices on 5th Mar 2008

  Update on my comment 10. Have now had a new engine fitted at considerable expense, on stripping old engine it was found an inlet valve had brocken and embedded itself into piston. This all followed a period of Glow Plug light flashing, Ford garage previously told me just to turn engine of, wait a few seconds and restart and the light would go out. Problem was we think a injector was leaking fuel into bore and possibly hydro locked that piston, new injector was fitted to new engine all seems fine now. Good luck.

• goldstar 07 on 7th Mar 2008

  Thank you, for the reply and pleased you got it sorted.
  My car is in a ford dealer at the moment, nothing has come up on the diagnostic machine they said (but i knew that) as it has been to 3 other garages. and all are stumped! I am just worried they will give it me back without sorting the problem.
  and then what do i do?
  I had to buy this car as the cam belt went on my other one and it proved to expensive to fix. I have always had a mondeo and up till now I have not had a problem with the running of them.

• julianlucas on 6th Jun 2008

  That old story, yes they never understand what's wrong if it's still under warranty. If they say they don't know what is wrong, ask how long it will take them to find out, they built the thing after all. My Fiesta kept going wrong and every time they didn't know what was wrong until I told them I was going to return the car.. guess what they fixed it cost them £600.
  Good luck.

• mtimber on 27th Jul 2008

  Mine went on a 300 mile trip 5 times today.
  Not very safe, very concerned that there seems no clear solution.

• colnorris on 30th Jul 2008

  i would never have bought this car if i'd have first read the reviews and the problems with this car. Ours has been cutting out and after replacing the fuel filter and cam sensor it went like a dream for 2 weeks. Two days ago whilst overtaking a lorry the car completelty cut out, I was so scared having my 2 year old grandson with me was no joke, I was petrified. The problem is so unpredictable and can happen any time, whether your driving slowly or at the 60mph limit, you just dont know. My car is at the local Ford garage at the moment having a new fuel pump fitted, they say this is the problem £865.25 plus £88 for the diagnostic test. The thing that worries me most is that Ford know about this problem and have issued at least 2 bulletins about the fault, and yet will do nothing to help. I hope this diesel pump fixes the problem, i cannot afford to pay any more on repairs, after all it is a diesel and supposed to go on forever, mine having done 45.000 miles, I didnt think it was ready for the graveyard yet, but think it is closer than we think.....I now hate the car and it scares me to think it will let me down and possibly with fatal effects.

• mtimber on 4th Aug 2008

  We have now had a turbo seal leak repaired and a new cam sensor fitted, will wait and see if it is fixed.
  
  There is a marked improvement in the smoke coming out of the exhaust.

• colnorris on 7th Aug 2008

  I've bought a Peugeot 306 "R" reg run about that I have far more faith in than the MONDEO TDCI which sits in the drive redundant because I class it as being unsafe to drive....and waiting to hear from Fords so will keep everyone posted.

• colnorris on 20th Aug 2008

  Hello again....well as i thought, dealers accepting no responsiblity for the problem....said the bulletins that were issued were for dealers eyes only (wonder why that is)! and they cannot comment on anything thats written on the internet ie other peoples problems with this particular car!

• Zubair342000 on 31st Aug 2008

  Hi, I've got exactly the same problem with a 2004 Focus 115 TDCi. 55K miles on the clock, ffsh. The problem first started the day after I got it back from a service.
  - So, you're driving along, the glow plug light comes on, the rev needle swings up and down for a second and the engine cuts out.
  - Ford have had the car on 3 occasions but can't find a fault
  - Initially, they did change the cam sensor and charged me over £100 for the privilege. It made no difference
  - When a diagnostic computer is plugged in, the computer does not show a fault
  - A RAC guy, said it could be one of: cam belt sensor (done), a tiny hole in one of the injector pipes, water in the fuel system
  - I've had a quote of £450 to change all the injector leads, but told it might not cure the problem
  - its the worst type of fault as it is intermittent. Sometimes it wont happen for weeks, and then will for days in a row.
  I'm not a happy bunny. Can anyone please help?
  Many thanks

• colnorris on 1st Sep 2008

  Sorry to hear about your problem, unfortunatelt as I see it, its all very trial and error when it comes to fixing the probem, it seems its a number of 'could be's' and all of them expensive. The best bit of advice I could give you is get rid! And steer clear in the future, especially bearing in mind Ford Customer Care just do not want to know.

• fishy69 on 17th Sep 2008

  I have 56 Zetec 130 Mondeo that has recently staretd with the same problems of the glow plug light flashing. The engine management light will then come on and the car will stop. On starting the car sometimes the engine managment light will come on for a while and sometimes the glow light will flash and then the car will cut out. On turning on the engine management light may stay on but will dissapear if I re-start the engine. Some times I can be driving for 30-60mins and it will be OK and then if I put undue stress on the engine the glow plug light will falsh and the engine will stop. I initially thought i might be something to do with me putting in a mixture of biodiesel (had been doing this for 600 miles before with no issue) but after reading this I am now confident that it is a car fault. I have had the RAC look at it and they have noted fault code P0251 (Fuel Pump) and fault caode P0405 (EGR). I now have the car booked into a Ford garage under warrenty so it will be interesting to see what they say based on all the comments about this subject.
  I will let you know how it goes.

• mtimber on 18th Sep 2008

  Our car is now fine, the leak in the turbo or the cam sensor being the problem as both these faults were repaired and the problem has not come back.
  As to which of these two caused the problem, we have no idea as both were fixed at the same time.

• charyorks on 30th Sep 2008

  We purchased our 03 TDCi in January 08, it has been running brill until last week, although plenty of power in battery it would not start, gave it one more try before calling RAC and it started, glow light flashing, if it does start it might cut out when driving - lost all confidence now, been on two computers and found no fault codes so garages are at a loss - now no alternative but to take it to Ford Dealer and they have quoted me £70.00 + Vat to put on their diagnostic laptop (my local garage cost me a pint) so the rip off has started before I even get to the garage. I am dreading the outcome because if its expensive it will sit on the drive and I will rely on public transport. I wish I had read reviews before we purchased!

• emsj29 on 4th Nov 2008

  I have a ford Mondeo 1.8 05 plate on hp and only had her 4 mths, last month the petrol digital clock started playing up from me knowing have put a fill tank in her to only registering 13 miles in er on the clock, then 2wks ago she cut out on me on a hill for no reason and had to roll er down brakes wouldn ' t work so handbrake job, 5 mins later she started but never been right since, the rev clock is now always above 1 when the key goes in and not even started and she doesn ' t have the bite she used to have coz this car used to go, she still goes now but not as rite, then 2 days ago started jerking in 1st and 2nd gear, so put oil in her even though no warning lights showing but has continued today and no in 3 gear, yet ford wont look at her, I wish I never brought this car as ford don ' t mind sealing but when there ' s a problem don ' t want to know, she ' s had brake pads and discs done every 6 mths according to service book don ' t understand it, does any one know whats going on with her.

• mondeowho on 12th Nov 2008

  I have just had the same thing on a 52 plate TDCI 130. Engine cuts out and brakes, steering, everything just goes, very scary. Is someone going to have to have a fatal accident before Ford start doing something about this?

• Zubair342000 on 20th Nov 2008

  zubair342000: Update: 6 months of problems with my Focus. Ford were consistently rubbish.
  Eventually, they diagnosed it as the cam sensor (again) and replaced it (again). That evening as I drove the car home, it must have broken down 20 to 30 times.
  So then, Ford said they reckoned 2 wires had melted into each other 'somewhere' in the wiring loom, and that it would take 1 to 30 hours to work through the entire loom to locate the fault, IF indeed that's what it was.

• plb on 29th Nov 2008

  I've got a 2.2 TDCi on an 06 plate and it's done about 27k miles. Driving to work the other day the glow plug warning light came on then it cut out. As previous posters have testified - frightening! (Fortunately it was early in the morning and I'd left the motorway). I'm going to book it in this week and see what the dealer says. I wonder if they'll try and string things out until the warranty expires...

• colnorris on 2nd Dec 2008

  No doubt they will! It will soon be time Ford put their hands up and admit the fault... shame on them I say, this is a very serious fault and don't want to sound like my needle's stuck... but someone will be killed, good luck with your '06 car surely they will help you?

• frustratedfred on 2nd Dec 2008

  I'm experiencing this common fault too. My 2003 Ford Mondeo has cut out with the glow plug indicator flashing several times over the past 3 months. Booked it in to Fords for a diagnostic and they said that I had to get the Dual Mass Flywheel and clutch replaced before they could get to the root of the problem as the codes generated could be explained by this particular problem. Had the work done elsewhere as Ford wanted £1400 for the work, but still the same problem occurred. Have just had the crank sensor replaced and the engine cut on the motorway on the way back home from the garage. I guess I'm just going to have to throw good money after bad and get Ford to do another diagnostic in the hope that they identify the real problem this time.

• Fordorbust on 4th Dec 2008

  I bought a used Zetec TDCi in August and it has cut-out twice on the outside lanes of the M23 and M3! Fortunately I do not get easily shaken and managed to manoeuvre the car over to the hard shoulder on both occasions - without any PAS! Although I had previously taken it to the Ford dealer in Horsham (who sold the car originally), they could not find anything recorded on the diagnostics and implied the problem had something to do with the 'style of driving'! At this point I decided to leave and not waste any more of my time or money! UK Ford - it appears, have no idea that a problem exists and referred me back to my local dealer. With the credit crunch, would you buy an American car or a reliable Japanese one? Trick question!

• victor bailey on 8th Dec 2008

  My Ford Mondeo 02 started cutting out every morning after about quater of amile switch off ignition start up again perfect untill following morning same happens again last night travelling at about 30 miles per hour car cut out will not start again already been ripped off by ford who charge the earth for wrong diagnosis can any body help.

• rosscowright on 7th Jan 2009

  have a 53 reg transit tdci, 125bhp soon after starting ( few miles down the road) the engine cuts out and the heater plug light starts to flash, it has to be left 5, 10 or 20, mins(time varies) before it will restart had it pluged into computer at local garage but no fault code was showing, changed crank sensor and it ran all day , next day broke down again twice, any idears any 1?

• mtimber on 15th Jan 2009

  #32
  
  Have you had yours checked for a turbo seal leak?

• robomcbobo on 17th Jan 2009

  Bought mine second hand 9 months ago. I complained it was missing and was told it was my driving style. Glow lamp then started flashingoccasionally with a loss of turbo.. stopped and restarted and it was fine. Has happened 5 times and each time went back to the garage for diag test but nothing was found. Which meant I couldn't get a warranty repair.
  
  Last week the car died on me, again with flashing glow lamp... Really disconcerting, was doing 50 on a main road and traffic backed up behind me as I stopped and restarted..
  
  The warranty is now finished and I am dreading this happening again. What really bothers me is that from these boards there seems to be no definitive answers, so I could spend a fortune having stuff fixed without knowing if the car is going to die again at any moment...
  There is so obviously an issue..

• colnorris on 18th Jan 2009

  Refer back to my comments in jul/aug last year.....after spending a grand getting it fixed now its 5 months later and has just started cutting out again, cant afford to get rid of it as we still owe money on it , but can safely say I'd never in a month of sundays buy another Ford of any kind mainly down to the poor lack of interest and help from Ford customer service. I'll stick to my2nd car an old banger....more reliable by far.

• leebo2009 on 23rd Feb 2009

  Hi mate dont know if this info is too little too late but this problem sounds like your fuel lift pump is on its way out. They are located underneath your fuel tank externally, if you look underneath on the rear right hand side of the car its there. Had mine replaced at the cost of £150 all in. Hope this helps.

• leebo2009 on 23rd Feb 2009

  THIS IS A REPLY FOR VICTOR, sounds like your fuel lift pump has gone pal, it cost me £130 to replace. Hope this helps.
  

• clarerees on 25th Feb 2009

  I purchased a 55 plate Ford Focus TDCI 1.8 zetec less than 2 weeks ago, as i was driving on country winding lanes with my 2yr old in the back, it just cut out. According to the dash computer it was an engine system fault. Its booked in to the garage next week and after doing lots of research and reading all these posts, they wont be able to diagnose it, really want to get rid, any ideas? Im going to write down all the possible faults it could be for the garage!. Ive owned a Y reg petrol focus from new and oh boy i wish i could have it back.

• Fordorbust on 4th Mar 2009

  I have finally sorted out the problem with my mondeo! It is being traded in for a Golf! I toyed with the idea of selling it privately but decided I didn't need the hassle from a future buyer of a lethal weapon! The last straw was getting stuck in 'Park ' in the middle of a hand car wash. Those charlies pushed the car aside - damaging one wing. I had to pay to get the dent out and to top it the Ford dealer charged me a packet to 'diagnose' the problem (came up with a blank) and issued me with a friendly warning that the next visit would cost £2000 for a new gearbox! This one had covered less than 40K miles!!!

• mtimber on 4th Mar 2009

  Update:
  Car cut out twice again today on a 2 hour drive, with only 71k on the clock and I think 10k since the last turbo seal and cam sensor was replaced.
  
  This time I think I will just have the cam sensor replaced first.
  
  Mark
  

• intcanoe on 26th Mar 2009

  I own a 04 2ltr petrol. I havnt had the problems that you all have been listing but 2 days ago the hand brake failed on me. The car is on HP but they say the parts arnt covered by the warranty. I have been quoted over £800 to replace the rear braking system can any1 help with advice so I only by the necessary part and fit them my self. A little more info The O/S Rear brake is stuck on I drove 2 miles today when i stopped it was pooring with smoke. The N/S doesnt seem to have any problems at all but would like a second opinion. Many Thanks

• mtimber on 26th Mar 2009

  Well we were finally quoted for a Turbo Fuel Pump, which was £250 to repair plus labour to fit.
  
  Or £500 to replace plus labour to fit.
  
  We traded it in.
  
  We now have the new Mondeo, which is a different engine.
  
  Word of advice.
  
  When trying out these, if there is smoke coming out of the exhaust when you kick the turbo (about 3500 revs), then walk away...
  
  Mark

• vcservices on 26th Mar 2009

  Glad I sold mine (to a dealer) problem gone for good

• rojo92 on 14th May 2009

  No 41
  It is your brake caliper that is stuck on. (Had the same problem on my 52 mondeo)
  First changed hand brake cable at £50 per side
  Then a new caliper £80 plus £60 surcharge Local auto spares
  Then obviously new discs and pads all round (needed them) £50 ebay
  Only took a couple of hours to change everything. All OK now
  Also my car keeps cutting out as well (TDCi 130 Ghia).
  Usually as the temp gauge gets to a quarter. Sometimes it won't start untill doors locked and then unlocked with key remote.
  Once car is at normal running temp, I don't get any problems.
  I Hope there can be a solution found soon as the car has been great otherwise and is still very comfortable even at 131,000 miles.

• DaNick on 25th May 2009

  Here is a new problem, I have been getting an "Engine System Fault" on my Ford Focus 2.0 tdci this week so I contacted the Ford Dealer and they said just to turn off the engine and restart 5 min later and the fault would clear (which it did) but now I am having great difficulty putting my car into reverse and first gears. I really have to force and hold them in to use those gears. Any ideas?

• adnanrana on 1st Jun 2009

  Easy to follow instructions for replacing Camshaft Position Sensor can be found at:
  
  
  http://www.pc-point.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3

• blubandit on 5th Jul 2009

  I have recently picked Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130 Ghia 5dr on 52 plate. I have just had £1300.00 worth of work to do the Clutch, Gearbox, Flywheel and Brakes. When driving it on the motorway it was cutting out as soon as i got over 3,000 revs. There is also alot of residue/Diesel/Oil by one of the injectors.
  
  On reading previous results i think i may be getting rid of this sharpish.

• Malc01 on 13th Jul 2009

  My Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 130 Ghia 5dr is 2002 Automatic diesel and has been with a Diesel specialist 3 times in the last 6 months after several cut-outs - usually at high speed overtaking other vehicles, but also immediately after setting off with a cold engine.
  
  
  The car is currently with the Specialists for over 1 week and I'm still waiting for some feedback. The local Ford Main Dealer says no problem diagnosed and unable to advise or help further.
  
  The recommended replacement of all injectors has been done and the fuel lines cleaned. I have now spent about £1,000 and I am no closer to finding the fault.
  
  
  I am hopeful that a fix will be found by the specialists so that I can sell the car on with a clear conscience.
  
  It is worrying that such a fault is so commonplace in Mondeos over a 7 year period but cannot be resolved by Ford and is causing diesel specialists to scratch their heads.

• colnorris on 21st Jul 2009

  I feel so sorry for anyone with this problem, it certainly eye opening when Ford wont even help out (refer back to my numerous other entries!!) as i said, ford issued at least 2 bulletins about the problem, but will not help with the expensive repair bills. surely if they know they have used faulty parts, namely fuel pump that gives of metal particles and causes the problem, they should at least stump up some of the cost. i had a rather abrupt letter from them when i asked for help.....and when i mentioned the bulletins, they asked me where the information had come from! well it was from the World Wide Web, mr ford!!! never, have i experienced such bad customer service from such a large company.
  Get rid of it i say, im back to a golf GTI s reg my mondeo was 03 plate, but the golf is like a rolls royce compared to the death trap mondeo i once owned.
  

• I hate Fords on 29th Nov 2009

  I bought a second hand Mondeo, 2 ltr 130 TDCI Zetec S 6 months ago with 68k on the clock, full service history and MOT certificates. In the last 3 months, the car has been a complete nightmare.
  
  As others have previously written, the 'ignition coil' light comes on whilst driving or the engine cuts out and switching off and back on again seems to sort the problem. The first time it happened I took it to the garage who re-programmed but said if it happened again, would need injector number 4 replaced, if not all of them.
  
  Since that date, the ignition coil light has come on numerous times and the car goes into safe mode. Or, as others have mentioned, the engine cuts out altogether. This has happened a number of times now also.
  
  Before booking into the garage again I've been looking around to see if there are actually any definitive answers, but there seems to be none. I have no idea what to do, whether to spend a fortune trying to get it fixed, or getting rid altogether.
  
  Any suggestions?
  
  This is my first Ford and I won't be having another.

• jonesy25 on 9th Dec 2009

  I have a 2002 TDCI 130. The coild glow plug started flashing yesterday, then the power started dieing but car was still driveable. Took to garage and came up with fault code R2339 (cylinder 4 above knock threshold). Its not the connection to cylinder 4 ive been told. Booked car in for monday so to find fault. Went to start car this morning and car would not fire up. Just ticks over with steam/grey smoke coming out the rear. Price of repairing will probably be more than cars worth. Wish i never bought her!!
  Any suggestions??