The Ford Mondeo may be no more, but back in the day the company sold them by the shipload. It couldn’t build them quickly enough. And that means that there are thousands upon thousands out there in the used marketplace.
The Mondeo makes a good buy, too, because it’s roomy, comfortable, well equipped, good to drive and efficient. It’s reasonably reliable, too, although isn’t without a number of common problems.
What recalls has the Ford Mondeo Mk4 been subject to?
Ford dealers have become very familiar with the sight of a recalled Mondeo over the years, because there have been quite a few.
For example, 48,595 cars with the 2.0-litre Duratorq engine were recalled because the ECU could fail to detect if the motor was overheating, with the potential for the sump to crack. Then 56,154 cars were recalled because battery acid could leak around the negative terminal. The potential for the clutch pressure plate to break forced 66,497 cars back to dealers, after which a dodgy air-conditioning pulley was the source of a recall for 3021 models.
Faulty seatbelt pretensioners forced nine cars back to Ford dealers, and then 9705 Mondeos fitted with adaptive headlights were recalled because of an issue that could cause the lights to suddenly switch off.
However, the biggest recall of all concerned no fewer than 219,738 cars, because of the global Takata airbag issue. It could fail to go off in a crash, so had to be replaced.
What common problems does the Ford Mondeo (2015-2023) have?
Owners of the Mk4 Ford Mondeo have complained of a cracking noise coming from the front wheels when they pull away from a standstill. This happens when going forwards and in reverse.
There have also been tales of a rattling noise from underneath the vehicle, so you’ll need to get under the car to trace and resolve it.
Talking of odd noises, the Mondeo Mk4 can also make a curious grinding noise when the wipers are operated. A dodgy cowling panel is the cause.
A blocked EGR valve will cause a warning light to appear on your 2.0 TDCi Mondeo, but replacing the mesh and gasket is pretty easy.
Does the Ford Mondeo have wheel bearing problems?
Actually, it doesn’t – but there is an issue in the area that causes a loud cracking noise.
The problem is a shortage of sealant around the splines of the driveshafts.
Your solution is to remove the driveshaft from the vehicle, then clean up each end of the shaft using brake cleaner before applying sealant and refitting the driveshaft.
Your Haynes Mondeo Autofix contains both technical drawings of the area, plus a comprehensive guide on how to remove and replace a driveshaft, so simply study the graphics, follow the instructions and you’ll be back on the road with no more cracking noise.
What’s rattling under your Mk4 Ford Mondeo?
There you are, driving along with air-con set just so and your favourite playlist wafting from the speakers. But what’s that? A faint rattle. You turn down the audio. Yup, there it is – a definite rattle, and it’s all the time, not just as you go over bumps, so it’s likely something being moved by airflow, not just by vibrations from potholes etc.
When you get home you fire up your Haynes Mondeo Autofix, which tells you how to safely raise the car and set it on axle stands, after which you can slide underneath it to investigate.
And it turns out the problem is a loose underbody shield, which has been allowed to move by faulty mounting clips. So, you remove the panel, replace the clips with non-faulty items from your local Ford dealer, and replace everything. A quick test drive will prove that the repair has been completely effective.
Why are your Ford Mondeo Mk4 wipers making a noise?
Every time you operate the wipers, there’s an odd graunching noise from ahead of you with every sweep of the blade. And given how much it rains in the UK, this issue has the potential to drive you insane – in reasonably short order.
The problem isn’t actually the wiper arms themselves, it’s the cowling panel that surrounds them, which can wear over time and come into contact with the wiper arms.
The solution is to remove the old panel and replace it with a new one, so you’ll need to remove the wiper arms first of all. This is fully covered in your Haynes Mondeo Autofix product.
Are Ford Mondeo Mk4 EGR valves a weakness?
If your daily motoring schedules comprises mainly short journeys around town, then your car will show a warning light on the dashboard at some point.
The issue affects the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine, and the first hint you usually get is when the malfunction indicator light (MIL) illuminates.
The first thing to do is plug in a fault-code reader, which will most likely display fault code P049B. This is caused by insufficient airflow at the EGR valve.
The good news is that it’s a pretty easy repair, and requires replacement of the mesh filter (part number: 2 532 932) and gasket (part number: 2 303 390) in the EGR valve.
Your Haynes Mondeo Autofix has the instructions for how to replace your EGR valve, so simply follow the steps and the warning light will be a thing of the past. And once you’ve done the job, don’t forget to plug in a fault-code reader and erase the warning.