A frustrated Ford Ranger owner from Adelaide is demanding a full refund after claiming his $85,000 ute has transformed into a "nightmare lemon" riddled with persistent mechanical faults. Kai Keller purchased the brand-new 2022 Next-Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak with dreams of exploring Australia's outback with his partner and their kelpie, Luna. Instead of embarking on adventures, the vehicle has undergone five separate warranty repairs after covering just 23,500 kilometres, leaving Keller disillusioned and seeking restitution.
Chronic Mechanical Failures and Safety Fears
Mr Keller detailed a litany of issues plaguing his Ranger, including a replacement tail shaft, Diesel Particulate Filter problems, and four distinct oil leaks since the purchase over three years ago. "I've been reaching out to Ford and I haven't really gotten very far with them," he told the Daily Mail. "I've asked for my money back and they've said they're processing that, but my concern is the car is getting close to three years old, it's done 23,000km, and it's already had five warranty visits."
Alarmingly, the vehicle leaked oil merely 100 kilometres after a previous leak was supposedly fixed, raising serious questions about reliability. "So if you're more than 100 k's from a Ford dealer, you might not make it back, and then what happens when the warranty runs out?" Keller questioned. He expressed profound safety concerns, particularly for remote travel, fearing a breakdown could strand him and his dog in hazardous conditions. "If I take it off-road, you can be put in a perilous position if it breaks down. Then what are the back-ups that you'll need to have?" he said, noting the necessity to carry satellite phones and diagnostic tools, effectively turning drivers into makeshift technicians.
Broken Promises and Lost Confidence
Keller highlighted the disparity between Ford's marketing of the Ranger as a rugged, off-road capable vehicle and his own experience. "Ford advertise their car as, 'hey, we're outback, we're four-wheel driving, blah blah blah,' and that's very much why I bought the car. I bought it to go on dirt roads," he stated. "Even driving from Adelaide to Alice Springs, I doubt the car would make it, even on a sealed road." His faith in the brand is shattered, dismissing the idea of a replacement. "There's no point in asking for a replacement Ranger because I have no faith a new one would do what they say it would," he added, estimating a $12,000 loss on accessories.
"I didn't buy a car to be a Ford technician. I just bought the car to drive it, but it's had too many issues in the short time I've owned it. You're pretty much just driving a laptop on wheels," Keller lamented. He simply wants a refund to move on, emphasising the disappointment of a purchase meant to facilitate outdoor exploration. "We love to get out and about, we love to get outdoors, and this was the car that was supposed to help us do that," he said. "The idea was to buy a new car and not have all these issues. Things pop up, I get that, but this is getting ridiculous."
Parallel Case: Sydney Owner in Legal Battle
Keller's ordeal mirrors another case involving Ford Ranger owner Matthew Patruno from Sydney, who is embroiled in a court dispute with Ford. Patruno claims his 2022 Ranger Raptor, bought as an ex-demo model with 4,000km, repeatedly lost power and required three services within ten months, nearly causing an accident in peak-hour traffic. He took the matter to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking a refund, with an initial dismissal later revived on appeal, leading to a rehearing.
Ford contested the claims, arguing the Ranger's monitoring system increases servicing under Sydney's "severe" driving conditions, but appeal panel members suggested Ford should warn drivers of potential performance issues. "You would think a vehicle, especially a Ranger, would be able to handle driving in metropolitan centres," Patruno said, expressing frustration over his $85,000 investment. "It barely goes off-road, the car is not abused. I spent $85,000 on the stupid car."
Patruno intended the Ranger for interstate trips to destinations like Fraser Island and Cape York, but now fears it would need multiple services for such journeys. "Honestly I don't drive it much, I can't drive to Mudgee, I can't drive to Queensland," he said, having traded a reliable Range Rover. "I'm massively disappointed, it's actually heartbreaking, I have a young family, we wanted to do a lot, explore Australia now we can't even drive to Queensland." He labelled the vehicle a "deathtrap" and a safety concern, questioning who would accept such frequent servicing for a premium model.
These cases underscore growing consumer grievances over high-end vehicle reliability and the challenges of seeking redress from major manufacturers, particularly when safety and intended usage are compromised.
