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20 known problems · 2 high
high
Coil pack failure
4.0L Barra 195/198 NA I6
high
Coil packs (shared with NA)
4.0L Barra 270T turbo I6 (XR6 Turbo)
medium
Plenum gasket failure (later miles)
4.0L Barra 195/198 NA I6
Recalls
1 on recordREC-001572
2015-02-16
Defect: The ignition switch electrical connector may disengage.
Hazard: If the connector disengages while driving, the engine will stall, electrical functions will be lost, and the vehicle cannot be restarted, posing an accident risk.
Remedy: Ford dealer inspection/repair, free of charge.
Affected: 17,875 units shared with Falcon Ute and Territory; Falcon FG built Nov 2013-Oct 2014
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
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Generations
Best and worst years for the Ford Falcon →
Before: Ford Falcon BA/BF (2002-2008) →
After: None — Ford ended Australian manufacturing 2016
Price (AUD)
$8k–$45k (XR8 GS and FGX XR8 climbing rapidly)
Body styles
Sedan, Ute, Wagon (BF II carry-over to 2010 only)
Drivetrain
RWD
Origin
Australia
Built in
Broadmeadows, Victoria
Overview
The FG (2008) was a major redesign that introduced the EcoLPi LPG injection and updated Barra engines. The 5.4L Boss V8 was DROPPED at FG launch and only returned in the FG Mk II (2010+) as the new 5.0L 'Miami' Coyote-based V8. FGX (2014-2016) was the final Australian-built Falcon — the FGX XR8 has become genuinely collectible. The FG/FGX represents the peak of Australian-developed performance sedans before manufacturing ended in October 2016.
Engines & variants
4.0L Barra 195/198 NA I6
Engine
DOHC VCT inline-6 NA
Engine code
Barra 195
Config
I6 NA
Displacement
3984cc
Power
195kW (FG) → 198kW (FGX)
Torque
391Nm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
~7.5s
Economy
10.0 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
2300kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, 6MT, 4AT (BTR), 6AT (ZF 6HP26)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 200,000km+
Pros
- Same bulletproof Barra I6 architecture
- ZF 6-speed auto standard — silky and durable
- Improved over BF — refined cabin, better NVH
- Strong used market value
- Chain-driven, no belt service ever
Cons
- Coil pack failures continue from BA/BF
- Thirsty in town — 13-15L/100km real world
- Aging interior tech relative to imports
- Resale lower than equivalent Commodore SS-V
Known problems
high
Coil pack failure
Same coil-on-plug failure pattern from BA/BF era continues. Misfires, rough idle, check engine light.
Fix: Replace failed coil immediately. Use quality coils (Bosch, Delphi). Replace as a set if multiple failing.
medium
Plenum gasket failure (later miles)
Intake plenum gasket shrinks causing vacuum leaks — rough idle, hesitation, lean codes.
Fix: Replacement plenum gasket. Upper intake removal required.
medium
Cooling system plastic failure
Plastic thermostat housing and radiator end tanks become brittle and crack.
Fix: Aluminium aftermarket thermostat housing. Radiator replacement if end tanks weeping.
medium
ZF 6-speed service neglect
Ford says 'lifetime fluid' but ZF actually requires fluid changes to last. Without it, harsh shifts develop and torque converter wear accelerates.
Fix: Fluid + filter service every 60-80k km. Use Lifeguard 6 fluid only. Many shops skip this — verify in service history.
4.0L Barra 270T turbo I6 (XR6 Turbo)
Engine
DOHC VCT inline-6 turbo
Engine code
Barra 270T
Config
I6 turbo
Displacement
3984cc
Power
270kW @ 5250rpm (FG/FGX standard)
Torque
533Nm @ 2000-4750rpm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
~5.4s
Economy
12.0 L/100km combined (real-world 13-17)
Tow (braked)
2300kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, 6AT (ZF 6HP26)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 200,000km+
Pros
- Legendary Barra Turbo — proven to 700kW+ on stock bottom end
- Forged crank, sodium exhaust valves, oil squirters from factory
- Massive aftermarket — turbo upgrades, ECU tunes, fuel system
- ZF 6-speed auto handles 600Nm OEM tune without drama
- Sub-5.5s 0-100 in stock trim
- FGX XR6T Sprint (2016) is genuine collector territory
Cons
- Tuned examples thrash the diff and trans
- Many have been heavily modified — condition matters massively
- Premium fuel required
- Insurance can be steep for younger drivers
Known problems
medium
Wastegate creep / boost spikes
OEM Garrett GT3582R wastegate flapper develops slop, allowing boost creep and overshoot in mid-range. Eventually triggers overboost limp mode.
Fix: Aftermarket adjustable wastegate actuator. Manual boost controller is popular for tuneability.
medium
Diff backlash and crown wheel wear
M86 LSD develops noise and backlash under load — particularly bad on launched/tuned examples.
Fix: Diff rebuild with new bearings. Some convert to 9-inch for high-power builds.
high
Coil packs (shared with NA)
Same coil pack pattern as NA Barra, worse under boost heat.
Fix: Quality coil set replacement.
medium
ZF transmission heat under tune
ZF 6HP26 handles stock 533Nm fine but tuned examples (400kW+) overheat the trans, especially in summer or under sustained load.
Fix: External trans cooler mandatory for tuned cars. Upgraded valve body and clutches if pushing 600kW+.
5.0L Miami V8 (XR8 — FG Mk II & FGX)
Engine
DOHC 32V Modular V8 (Coyote-based)
Engine code
Boss 290
Config
V8 NA
Displacement
4951cc
Power
290kW (FG XR8) → 335kW (FGX XR8)
Torque
520-570Nm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
~5.4s (FG) → ~5.2s (FGX)
Economy
12.5 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
2300kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT (Tremec), 4AT (BTR), 6AT (ZF 6HP26)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 200,000km+
Pros
- Australian-tuned Coyote V8 — different from US Mustang Coyote
- FGX XR8 (335kW supercharged from FPV) is genuinely collectible
- Refined and tractable compared to BA/BF Boss
- Sub-5.5s 0-100 in stock trim
- Iconic last-of-the-line Australian performance
Cons
- Sat out the FG (2008-2010) — no V8 in early FG
- Limited supply means prices climbing fast
- Premium fuel required
- More complex than LS pushrod V8s
Known problems
medium
Timing chain guide wear
Long timing chain runs in this DOHC V8 — guides wear on neglected oil change schedule.
Fix: Chain kit at major service. Use quality oil at proper intervals.
medium
Oil cooler / cooler line leak
Oil-coolant cooler develops external leaks.
Fix: Cooler replacement. Engine bay job.
low
Cam phaser noise on cold start
VVT cam phasers rattle on cold start before oil pressure builds.
Fix: Phaser replacement if persistent. Use quality oil and don't skip changes.
4.0L EcoLPi LPG (liquid injection)
Engine
Liquid-injected LPG inline-6 — world first
Config
I6 NA
Displacement
3984cc
Power
198kW
Torque
409Nm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
~7.5s
Economy
12.3 L/100km LPG
Tow (braked)
2300kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, 6MT, 4AT (BTR), 6AT (ZF 6HP26)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 200,000km+
Pros
- World-first liquid LPG injection — same power as petrol Barra (198kW)
- Far superior to old vapor LPG systems
- Excellent running cost when LPG infrastructure exists
- Same Barra reliability platform
- Cleaner combustion = less carbon than vapor LPG
Cons
- LPG infrastructure shrinking — verify availability in your area
- Tank takes boot space
- Resale lower than petrol
- Premium LPG quality matters for injectors
Known problems
medium
EcoLPi injector wear
Liquid LPG injectors wear differently to petrol — eventual replacement required.
Fix: Injector set replacement. LPG specialist work.
medium
LPG pump (in-tank) failure
In-tank LPG pump wears causing pressure drop, hard starts, rough running.
Fix: Pump assembly replacement. Tank drop required.
medium
LPG tank certification (10-year)
LPG tanks require 10-year recertification or replacement.
Fix: Check tank stamp date — older FGs may already need new tank.