Ford
10 February 2012
- C-MAX
- Fiesta
- Fiesta Van
- Focus
- Focus C-MAX
- Focus Coupe Cabriolet
- Focus Estate
- Focus RS
- Focus Saloon
- Fusion
- Galaxy
- Grand C-MAX
- Ka
- Ka Van
- Kuga
- Maverick
- Mondeo
- Mondeo Estate
- Puma
- Ranger
- S-MAX
- Streetka
- Tourneo
- Tourneo Connect
- Transit
- Transit Box Van
- Transit Chassis Cab
- Transit Connect
- Transit Dropside
- Transit Minibus
- Transit Tipper
Follow us / Subscribe to newsletter
Consumer reviews by category
Useful information
Search
| Tweet |
2004 Ford Focus C-MAX reviews
Ford Focus C-MAX reviews by year of make: 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Read all reviews
Chris Parker, Buckinghamshire
Ford Focus C-MAX 1.6 TDCI LX 2004
I bought my car pre-reg from a Ford dealer in 2005 and has covered 68,000 with no major problems until the last few weeks. I got 10,000 miles out of a set of front tyres, whereas would normally expect 17-20K. Most worrying was loss of power. Has just gone into local Ford dealer and had a new EGR valve at £450! A few hours after getting it back engine warning light came on and there is still some loss of power. Dealer says the car requires a software upgrade. The car is worth about £2500 and having read some of the horror stories here I am worried!
Submitted: 25/01/2011 18:22:04
Christos Kalpakas, Greece
Ford Focus C-MAX 1800cc Trent 2004
From 4th July 2004 ’til now my C-max has 146.000 km with normal service (as a service book manual says) and further. I changed only brake discs and clutch kit. I’m a family man and travel always full luggage. In general sold on my C-max 1800cc Trent.
Submitted: 22/11/2010 21:31:03
Paul, England
Ford Focus C-MAX 1.8 Petrol 2004
Possibly the most disappointing car I’ve ever owned. So many design faults Ford has truly taken a big step backwards with this model. In the last year I’ve had the Power steering pump & aircon pump replaced, luckily under warranty from an otherwise completly useless Fraud Garage. On-going power steering issues that really spoils the handling & enjoyment of driving. Fraud tell me nothing’s wrong but how can the effort to turn the steering wheel change from one corner to the next corner at the same speed. Bonnet lock is one to watch out for, keep it lubricated if you’re unlucky enough to own one like me. Avoid!
Submitted: 28/07/2010 21:15:10
Jenny Murdock, England
Ford Focus C-MAX 2004
I bought my Focus C-Max in 2004 new from a Ford dealer as my Granddad worked for Ford and did so out of loyalty; always had Fords previously. Wish I hadn’t. So far the electronic handbrake had a recall and needed replacing,loss of power, burning smells when climbing hills, 2 batteries replaced, faulty airconditioning, had to be bump started 3 times, replacement alternator, bonnet sticks when trying to open, creaking on front suspension. Need to definintely get rid of this car. At the moment the car is over revving and found out it needs a new throttle peddle, another £250 quid probably. Just told my husband we are getting rid. Should never have installed computerised engine system!!!!
Submitted: 25/06/2010 21:29:48
Nikki Taylor, Hertfordshire
Ford Focus C-MAX 1.6 zetec 2004
Bought this car from Gates Harlow in July 2007, it had 35,000 on clock and 1 owner previously. In the time I’ve had it, the mileage is still low for its age at 41,000, I’ve had nothing but problems & expense! First thing to happen was something minor the water washer pump went £40. Then the car kept needing to be bump started so had to get new battery at cost of £50. Then the gears started getting stiff, at 1 point I had to sit on my drive trying to gently loosen them up abit before driving off!!Had to have Gear Selection Cables replaced cost £250. Then the Power Steering hose went cost £270. Now I have a creaking coming from front suspension, which I strongly suspect is either my top suspension mount needs lubricating or new top mount fitted. Well that’s what I hope but with this car it’s normally something more expensive. Everything is plastic on the interior so driving along everything creaks. The gears aren’t smooth or springy and the wheels wear down so quickly. So wish I hadn’t traded my Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec 2002 plate car in, it was a dream!!!!
Submitted: 28/03/2010 14:55:45
Alan Campbell, England
Ford Focus C-MAX 1.8 Zetec 2004
This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst car I have ever bought! I traded in a Ka and Mondeo, which I’d owned from new as I thought my expanding family would be better in a car designed for a family. After 100 trouble-free miles the bonnet lock decided to pack in. Not much of a problem unless you do plenty of miles and need to check your levels regularly! Next one was the good old engine warning light. The car spent 3 weeks in a garage and still came out ’broken’ after having amassed a bill of £700 - just for diagnostics! After replacing various sensors and resetting the light the problem still persisted. Fuel economy was down from a pathetic 380mile range to 250miles! Turns out the fuel pump was knackered after 36000miles!! £300 from ’Fraud’ and my fingers are crossed. As soon as the HP is up I’ll be switching to something Japanese. I almost feel sorry for whoever buys my car from me.
Submitted: 08/02/2010 09:33:59
Sean Carroll, Berkshire
Ford Focus C-MAX 2.0 TDCI Zetec 2004
Bought as had two small kids and wife needed mini MPV. Great boot, great when rear seat for kids when converted to a two seater, great long distance tourer, great performance and handling and comfort, so fast for a diesel minivan. BUT..soooo many breakdowns due to electrical and alternator issues, 3 faulty heated windscreens, faulty air con on long driving holidsay in baking conditions, dodgy time changing clock. Just had to get rid as too many breakdowns Disappointing as other car was a W reg Focus owned from new to 8 years old and never had an issue. Howeve, I will never have another Ford oand despite the dullness of the drive I am now a Toyota driver.
Submitted: 16/01/2010 22:47:49
Paul, Warwickshire
Ford Focus C-MAX 1.8 2004
After 2 weeks of purchasing the vehicle was loosing power & the engine management light was on, it also sufferd a intermitent starting fault. The vehicle was with the local Ford dealer for 1 entire month. They diagnosed & replaced the fuel pump I almost forgot I had the car. I still have a starting problem when pumping the accelerator pedal the car will then start but still suffers lack of power & now the alternator has failed the car has only covered 36000 miles. A local repairer has diagnostic equipment but it never pulls up any fault codes, I thought this would be a good family car having 2 young children sadly we have spent more time in courtesey cars & walking
Submitted: 03/01/2010 14:33:45
Peter, Cornwall
Ford Focus C-MAX 1.6 TDCI Ghia 2004
I’ve had the car from 1 year old . It’s now done 64000 miles. I love the way the car drives, the room, and very poky engine. However, I am trading it in for a Honda as can not afford the constant repair bills. I have had the EGR problem from when I had it, Ford tweaked it, but it still has flat spot around 1900 revs, but I learned to live with it. Its had a new alternator (£350), brake pads don’t last long, especially the rear ones, new brake disks, it’s very heavy on tyres and I do not buy budget ones, even the back ones wear out quickly. I just had it serviced and a set of 4 tyres was £450.00. I was also told that both front wheel bearings needed replacing costing £200.00 each. The injector seals needed replacing - this is why I have a smell in cab - at a minimum cost of £300.00 but could be up to £900.00 if there are complications. I was going to purchase a new C-Max but will now be trading in for a reliable Honda.
Submitted: 26/10/2009 09:03:14
Becci, Kent
Ford Focus C-MAX 1.6 TDCI LX 2004
Pile of rubbish... Engine replaced after 40,000 under warranty, now I’m having the same faults with this engine (out of warranty). Engine looses power randomly, no fault codes or engine management lights show up on the dash. Sometimes pulling over and restarting the engine cures this problem but sometimes it doesn’t and I have to continue the journey with no power and struggling to get up to 3,000 rpm. (limp/safe mode) POWER STEERING!!!! Where to start. Useless and a down right death trap. My model has the electronic power steering pump, and a can barely turn the steering from centre when going round a corner, then all of a sudden BAM, power steering kicks in and I look like a drunk driver as the car suddenly decides to turn.... More severe on right hand turns than left hand turns. This has had Ford totally stumped and said it could cost up to £2000 to have fixed! What a joke. Totally hate this car, OK it might have useful boot space and nice headroom in the back but be prepared for it to fall apart as you drive it. Ford are crummy cars with shocking build quality, customer relations are equally appalling and I will NEVER buy a Ford again. The C-Max should be taken off the road by VOSA...
Submitted: 22/07/2009 10:24:01
Helen Pacey, Lincolnshire
Ford Focus C-MAX 2004
NEVER EVER BUY A C-MAX! This is the worst car I have ever encountered, mine has had a new engine at 48,000mls, the power steering has failed on numerous occasions and now the car is making a strange rattling sound when you take your foot off the accelerator. Don’t know what it is not investigated yet so if anyone has experienced the same problem please comment. I bought this car because I needed a large car, but I didn’t want the huge people carrier! I wish I had now because this car is a death trap!!! All us C-MAX drivers should go to trading standards because we’ve been ripped off. I paid £18000 and have spent at least 8,000 to keep it road worthy. The problems just keep coming!!!!!!!
Submitted: 13/03/2009 10:08:23
Norman McElroy, County Down
Ford Focus C-MAX TDCDI LX 2004
I bought this car from my local Ford dealership. It was the manager’s car and I purchased it when it was one year old. The past few years I have enjoyed the car with very few problems. But over the last few months it has started to give problems. I have just received it back from the dealer after spending £340 having a new EGR valve fitted. This has not cured the problem which is lack of acceleration (almost cutting out) and very "lumpy" driving in all gears. Happy to hear of similar experiences and hopefully solutions.
Submitted: 18/02/2009 09:55:39
Jen Lacey, England
Ford Focus C-MAX 2004
Was sold a 6 month old demo c-max at polar ford in thirsk. Was all good until we were on holiday in Wales, halfway up a hill when we lost power and the car cut out! After 10 minutes it started up fine and had no more problems. Then, with our 3 month old daughter in the back of the car on a very busy motorway the c-max cut out again at 70mph! We managed to pull over without causing an accident! After contacting the dealership we purchased from we were advised "it’s perfectly normal and nothing to worry about".....how stupid do Ford think we are?! Needless to say we sold the car within the following 6 months........and lost a grand total of £6000! We bought the car when they had just been brought out and cost a very pricey £12,000 - £13,000. We now have a Mondeo and in all honesty I think Ford customer services is total rubbish. We have just found out that we were sold a vehicle with no paint and perforation warranty because "the previous owner never had the paintwork checked and the service history book stamped for it ". I will next be purchasing a Vauxhall!
Submitted: 05/08/2008 11:50:14
Simon Mitchell, Oxfordshire
Ford Focus C-MAX Ghia 2004
Hey - I had a C-Max auto....never again! Transmission Failure warning came on but nothing seemed wrong with the car. The garage (Hartwels Oxford) had it for over a week - chased them every day with no response. Finally the cost to replace a faulty (something) £2,000. What - but the car drives fine. Yes we agree but ’computer says no!’ Where are the real engineers - all they tell me is a fault code and present a massive bill - oh and £90 /hr labour........my solicitor would be cheaper to employ. Cack cack cack!
Submitted: 24/06/2008 15:45:49
Rose, Essex
Ford Focus C-MAX FORD FOCUS 2000LTR TDI 2004
I have a c-max and have just taken it in to a Ford garage, engine management light came on, diagnostic said the EGR valve needed replacing. Only £325 to replace. It might be nearly 4 years old but it has only 17,000 on the clock. Customer service just say pay and will look into it for you. Does it really take 2 hours to fit? Oh and they gave me the the technical depart telephone number but no one answers. Why have Ford not sorted this problem out. My car too has cut out whilst driving along, very dangerous, garage then said car was ok back then. Who will be responsible if it causes an accident?
Submitted: 17/06/2008 16:23:37
John Ritchie, West Lothian (Linlithgowshire)
Ford Focus C-MAX 2004
Just a note to say modified egr valves have been fitted from about March 06 so together with modified software should cure problem. Valve has to be programmed by Ford ids though but there are many independents that have the kit now... I have and i know others have too. Regards
Submitted: 02/06/2008 08:39:23
Steve, Cardiff
Ford Focus C-MAX Zetec 2004
My C-MAX 2.0ltr diesel is in for a service with a Ford dealer. I had told them about the lack of power in the car and smoke coming out of it when the car is turned off. They have just phoned me to say that the Egr valve is faulty on the car, the cost to me to have it fitted by Ford is �400. This is the last straw, I have had this problem with this car on and off over the last 3 years and it’s only done 26,000 miles. Ford never found the problem until it was out of warranty, funny that. Money talks. Come on Ford, do the right thing.
Submitted: 03/04/2008 15:32:46
Allan, Yorkshire
Ford Focus C-MAX 2.0 TDCi Zetec 2004
I really like this car - does everything I need and drives really well, but... I’ve also had similar problems to others. After 1 year the EGR valve stuck and it let me down a few times before Ford admitted a problem. The symptoms were that the car started fine but didn’t restart after a short journey - if it hadn’t had time to warm up properly. Having sorted this, I then had a problem with it losing all power at speed on the moterway with a baby in the back and massive wagon’s up my backside. Ford’s computer said ’no’ so Ford told the dealer to hand the car back with no action. I complained to Ford and got a smooth ’not our problem’. I have now got starting problems again and been let down again this morning. Car now out of warranty. TIP from AA man. Carry a rubber mallet. Take off the engine cover (I now leave mine off) and tap the aluminium pipe to the right of the engine as you look at it, somewhere along the middle of it. This frees the valve and the car starts. Not a permanent solution, but has got me going when I’ve been stuck. Planning to sell but still love the car...
Submitted: 14/03/2008 13:14:38
Barry Grantham, Northamptonshire
Ford Focus C-MAX 1.6TDCi Zetec Auto 2004
Purchased the car second hand from Seniors of Market Harborough. First noticed problem after 4 or 5 weeks when the car lost power at 1700 - 2000 revs when starting off. When the power kicked in there was a putter of black smoke coming out of the exhaust. Quite disconcerting! The car went back under warranty and eventually had its computer ECU updated by the local Ford dealer, they hoped this would fix the problem. It didn’t! And whilst I was finding this out, I had one of those power losses which Ford call ’get you home mode’. Fortunately I had just got off a dual carriageway when this happened as it only allows you to go at 20mph. Back to Ford main dealer again on 19th December 2007, they have changed the transmission fluids, checked the wiring and generally cleaned up. However, another test drive showed that the problem is still there. It has now been suggested that the EGR valve needs changing. I am now waiting for Seniors to decide if they want to pay out any more or exchange. C Max has lost all of my confidence. Seniors have been brilliant. They have given me a loan car for the whole period. Cannot praise them enough. But it is now the 12th February 2008 and I am still C Max less.
Submitted: 12/02/2008 15:43:59
Christopher Coughlan, Surrey
Ford Focus C-MAX Zetec Diesel Auto 2004
Thought I had the perfect car until it lost power randomly. A really frightening experience. Bought from a car supermarket under warranty. The fiddled with it, had it back three times and then finally sent it to Fords who have had another three attempts. Nearly 4 weeks and still no car. Surely Ford knows about this fault as it’s well documented. My first Ford and hopefully my last.
Submitted: 07/02/2008 15:22:19
David Turner, Yorkshire
Ford Focus C-MAX 2ltr ghia tdci 2004
only had it 2 months, 70000 miles on clock, no rds on radio, known fault, back door started to open itself, scary, back window shades don’t retract too good, apart from these minor details this c max is comfortable and very fast, just started with electronic handbrake fault too, doesn’t come off on first push of switch, takes 2 or 3 goes, Japanese equivalents far better, inside and out, but ford engine is better, had a galaxy for 10 years before this and it knocked the spots off the c max
Submitted: 21/01/2008 16:12:45
Other people need your help
Your review will help others decide which vehicle to buy. By spending just a little bit of time filling out a review you can share your experiences with other drivers, giving information only owners will talk about, no marketing spiel, just the real thing. We publish all reviews, whether you rate the vehicle high or low. We are impartial. We are independent. We are committed to 100% real reviews. Please give others the benefit of your advice: give them your review.
Your review will be checked for offensive language within the next few days and then put on RoadTestReports.co.uk and all of our partners websites.
Read real opinions: Thousands of consumer reviews on all major car and van models. |
 |
Search Reports by Make
Aixam-Mega | Alfa Romeo | Aston Martin | Audi | Bentley | BMW | Cadillac | Caterham | Chevrolet | Chrysler | Citroen | Daewoo | Daihatsu | Dodge | Elettrica | Ferrari | Fiat | Ford | Honda | Hummer | Hyundai | Infiniti | Isuzu | Iveco | Jaguar | Jeep | Kia | Lamborghini | Land Rover | LDV | Lexus | Lotus | Maserati | Mazda | Mercedes-Benz | MG | Micro-Vett | Mini | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Peugeot | Piaggio | Porsche | Proton | Renault | Reva | Roewe | Rolls-Royce | Rover | Saab | Sakura | SEAT | Skoda | Smart | SsangYong | Subaru | Suzuki | Toyota | TVR | Vauxhall | Volkswagen | Volvo |