Most Common Ford GT Failures: Problems And Breakdowns
The Ford GT was released in 2003 for the 2005 model year by the Ford Motor Company. It is a mid-engined sports car marketed as a successor to the Ford GT40. The car was previously available for the 2005 and 2006 model year and has since made a comeback for the 2017 model year. In this post we are going to talk about common Ford GT faults , so if you are interested in this car stay with us and keep reading.
As a supercar, the Ford GT has been entered in multiple international racing events and has been driven by professionals from around the world. However, here we will focus on the problems that you have presented.
Common Ford GT Faults
Although the Ford GT is a sports car that attracts the eyes of many, it is not perfect and like all cars it has its flaws.
There have been some complaints about the Ford GT, and we’re going to touch on some of them below.
1. Flaking paint on the hood
Many Ford GT owners have complained that the paint is coming off the hood of the car abnormally. The complaint primarily concerned the 2005 and 2006 Ford GT, which directly affects the appearance of the vehicle.
One particular owner reported his visit to a dealership, only to be told that the problem could only be fixed under the 3-year warranty.
Possible causes and solutions
These are the possible causes and solutions to this problem:
1- Extreme weather
Weather and extreme temperatures are one of the most common causes of paint chips on the Ford GT.
Paint goes through different stages of contraction and expansion during high and low temperatures, taking away its quality and shine. The obvious preventative measure against this would be to keep the car out of that extreme and unpredictable weather.
2- Natural causes
When the GT is parked directly under the sky, it’s exposed to moisture, bird droppings, debris, and more. These can weaken the quality of the car’s paint depending on the frequency and eventually result in ugly peeling.
Again, the best way to avoid this is to cover your car or park it in a garage.
3- Accidents
Another reason your car’s paint may be chipping is the result of impact from an accident. Now, an accident doesn’t have to be a major near-fatal collision; It could also be the little scratch you didn’t pay attention to.
These small scratches are usually very difficult to notice and can spread to other parts after a while. That is why it is important that you always inspect the car to detect these scratches before they get worse.
4- Toxic chemicals
GT owners are often tricked into buying chemicals that, while effective, may not be appropriate for the car. This is because many of these chemicals have abrasive content that can degrade paint quality.
If you are going to use any chemical product, we advise you to consult an expert technician during the process.
To do?
If you notice that the paint on your Ford GT is flaking, we advise you to go to the nearest dealer, especially if the warranty has not expired. You can also take the car to an automotive expert to get an estimate, fix it and take preventative measures for the future.
Here are some easy ways to reduce the likelihood of these issues occurring in your Ford GT:
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Apply a paint protection film with the help and supervision of an expert
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Avoid random harsh car wash chemicals
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Clean and wax your car frequently
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Be careful when using automatic car wash services
2. The car shuts down while driving
Data from the forums where the complaints are aggregated reveals that some Ford GT models often die abruptly while driving. Many owners have raised concerns about this issue, especially what could happen if the car stalls while driving at speed on a highway.
This stall problem is common on 2005 and 2006 models with over 100,000 miles on the odometer.
Possible causes and solutions
Here are the possible causes of this problem and the solutions:
1- Defective fuel supply system
For a sports car like the Ford GT, the fuel supply system always has to be on point. If not, the car could stop abruptly.
The most obvious fuel supply problem is fuel shortage. If your car stops suddenly, check the fuel level to see if something is wrong. If it’s not a fuel level problem, then it could be a problem with the fuel filter or fuel pump. Very often, filters and fuel pumps clog, which clogs the fuel supply to the engine. If this happens, it will cause the engine to stall or misfire.
There could also be a problem with the car’s fuel injector, hindering overall performance and causing the engine to stall a few times.
2- Engine overheated
A common reason for cars to jerk is due to an overheated engine. As you probably know, overheating is a major problem in its own right, and stalling is one of its most adverse effects.
Engines overheat for multiple reasons, chief among them being a lack of coolant flow.
If you notice that the engine of your Ford GT is overheating, you may want to fix it as soon as possible before it worsens and stalls your engine.
3- Battery failure
Another reason Ford GT models can stall abruptly is battery failure . In this case, a bad battery includes weak/dead batteries and batteries that have become unable to hold a charge.
The truth is that a battery is expected to last 3-5 years before failing altogether. However, it can happen sooner, and one of the most noticeable signs is the car battery light coming on.
A faulty battery will affect engine performance and eventually cause stalling, especially at idle.
4- Defective alternator
Loss of charging activity is usually indicative of a faulty alternator . This is because the alternator supplies electrical power to parts of the vehicle, including the battery.
Symptoms of a faulty alternator include the vehicle refusing to start, stalling when moving, and dimming headlights, among others.
5- Worn serpentine belt
A worn or broken serpentine belt can also cause your Ford GT to stall suddenly. In case you’re wondering what it is, the serpentine belt connects the alternator to the crankshaft to allow charging of the battery.
However, if the belt breaks or wears out, the alternator will not work, crippling the battery and eventually the engine.
6- Defective sensors
There are certain sensors that the engine relies on for real-time information. This is to help the engine run smoothly. The most important ones are the Mass Air Mass Sensor (MAF) , the Manifold Pressure Sensor, the Fuel Pressure Sensor, and the Crankshaft Sensor.
Which means if any of them go bad it can affect engine performance and can even kill the car.
To do?
The stall problem of certain Ford GT models is the result of one fault or another with the car’s engine. To find out what it is, we recommend going to a qualified mechanic to carry out a proper and reliable diagnosis.
3. Leakage of hydraulic fluid
There have been numerous complaints about Ford GT hydraulic fluid leaks. Many owners reported that the leak occurred under certain operating conditions, and critics have raised concerns about potential fire incidents as a result.
The leaking problem is common on the 2017 and 2018 model years of the Ford GT, and fortunately Ford has issued a recall about it.
Possible causes and solutions
The manufacturer recognizes that this is a major problem, so they have issued a recall. In addition, they have located the origin of the leak in a valve near the rear wing assembly, and it has been classified as the only cause.
The good and the bad of the Ford GT
We have presented you with the most common Ford GT faults that have been reported by some users, now we will mention some positive aspects of this car:
Advantages of the Ford GT
These are some of the main pros and positive points of the GT:
1- Great engine and performance
The Ford GT is a sports car, and like most sports cars, people expect incredible speed from it. One way Ford has met that expectation is with the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine.
This engine offers a whopping 660 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, and is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.
2- Decent fuel economy
No one expects great fuel economy figures from sports cars like the Ford GT. However, the GT boasts better numbers than many of its peers, with its 12 MPG in the city and 18 on the highway.
These are not impressive figures, but they are much better than other more expensive cars.
3- Excellent infotainment system
The Ford GT is primarily used for driving; So it’s not exactly the car for infotainment features. However, it still packs a stack of infotainment features, including a 6.5-inch touchscreen and integrated navigation for road trips.
It also has Apple Car Play and Android Auto to handle things through your smartphone . Without forgetting the noise cancellation system and the hands-free communication system. If there’s going to be a problem with the Ford GT, it won’t be boredom.
4- Excellent security features
The truth is, the Ford GT has yet to be crash tested by NHTSA and IIHS. And while that may raise doubts and suspicions about its safety, it has some very excellent driver assistance and safety features that cannot be overlooked.
Some of them are:
- Dual airbags and seat belts with first class pretensioners
- rear view camera
- Active aileron on the wing
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- electronic stability control
- anti-lock braking system
Disadvantages of the Ford GT
The cons and drawbacks that stand out the most about the Ford GT are:
- The paint on the hood is peeling
- The car stops while driving
- Hydraulic fluid leak
What do the reviews say about the Ford GT?
The comments and opinions on the Ford GT are relatively good, although it is not a perfect car and has its flaws, there are still those who feel a lot of excitement when driving this vehicle.
It is a sensational car to drive. Always alert, it is wonderfully balanced, sharp, stable, and rewarding. It’s also exciting. It’s not one of those relentlessly efficient cars that cares too much about lap times to have fun. Instead, he sucks you into his world. He is cheerful, exuberant, friendly enough to appeal to the less experienced, talented enough to fascinate porters.
Compared to our bullied state of mind, the Ford GT is calm and collected at 20 mph, cruising in comfort mode and feeling more like an oddly loud sports car than a track monster. Acceleration is linear and easily controllable. The transmission shifts comfortably and keeps the revs appropriately low. The softer suspension setting is immediately noticeable.
In short, the GT isn’t perfect, but it is an immensely special machine. Maybe it’s the bright new color or the relative rarity of this car, but in a place where the coolest exotics often struggle to stand out, the GT is nothing more than a wave of excitement, especially for those behind the wheel.
