Thread: Puma failure in the Simpson

Before we bought our Puma in 2008 I thought I'd do some research on it's reliability etc. We'd been driving a 110 200 tdi for 16 years at the time. Naturally enough I figured the best place to search out any problems with the Puma was Australia as I figured you lot would have sussed out any problems with the severe terrain and long overlanding trips. That's how I came across this forum.
What did I find regarding the Puma? People heading off into places like the Simpson. People with no maindealer for 1'000's of kms loading up and driving extended trips where your life depended on the vehicle. Sure there was the odd fly in the ointment like concerns over the brake vacuum pump and the fuel tank breather but I was convinced. The Puma was duly ordered never having driven one or even seen one up close.When we picked it up I was astounded. I had no idea that a Defender could be so quiet, sprightly and downright civilised and still be a DEFENDER.Sadly my joy was short lived. We had driven down in the 200 tdi to pick up the Puma which I drove home. On arriving home the wife exited the 200 tdi and got into the Puma saying "Well I might as well see what it is like" and off she went.She returned beaming and claimed it for her own.She had never driven anything but the 110 tdi, even passing her driving test in it first time. She loved the tdi but ditched it there and then without batting an eye lid.So I got Exclusive use of the tdi.

Originally Posted by n plus one

Happy with mine! I'd buy another - but I'm happy (and too $$$ invested) in the one I've got.

That quote sums it up. In 2011 I took the plunge and we got a second Puma which I get to drive.Retired the 110 200 tdi to a nice dry shed for some future date. So regarding the Puma I think the above just about sums it up.

Everything you have mentioned would similar little faults with all 4wd's

Originally Posted by Bush65

I thought the 2.2 litre, Mazda based engine that replaced for puma was the new king

The new 2.2 PUMA engine is solely based on the 2.4 PUMA, both Ford Dura-Torq.

The Ford Dura-Torq engines (2.2 & 3.2) are used in the Ford Rangers and Mazda BT50's.

And there is room on the thrown for both

When I did my Simpson trip the damage I had included.

Rear speaker got caved in ( gas bottle came loose and bashed it in)

Front door went out of alignment and had to be adjusted in the desert to stop it hitting the roof rack.

And the worst of all and most devastating was my Nespresso machine got clogged up with nice red sand. But it is working now, a year on and I still get little bits of red in my coffee every now and again.

That trip was probably the heaviest load we have ever carried, 3 people, water, diesel, roof rack and roof top tent, camping gear for the 3rd person, 2 fridges ( a 60l and a small 20l beer fridge) 4 cases of beer and all the other stuff, still made it over Big Red, twice in fact as we had to go up and pull the father in-laws Hi-Lux off the plateau as he got stuck with 2 people one fridge and not much else.

I would not go as far as saying it was a success because it was a Puma, it was a success because it was a Land Rover, and for me the Puma is the one I own so I am extremely happy with it.

My brothers getting married in 10 weeks,damn,looks like another trip across Oz,Great Central/Gunbarrel,Anne Beadell,Trans Australian,too many choices,only one vehicle though. Pat

Go the Puma!
My old D1 Tdi did a similar trip - damage; 1 rear mud flap gone, 1 rear brake light and PS rear lower shock rubbers.

Parked out the front of the Birdsville mechanic were 3 Toyotas, 3 Nissans and 2 suzukis and while there a Pajero came in on the truck. I did joyfully pass this information on to a couple of guys ( toynissan drivers of course) who were bagging Landrover reliability to me at the pub :-)

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

maybe for a puma.

What do you drive Dave?. Pat

Sounds like a terrible trip in a terrible car... maybe you should sell it! (sarcasm off)