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Lively, responsive and up for anything, the C-MAX has the dynamism of a sports car. Great handling, it lets you take control of tight corners, power down the straights and take command of the streets.
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Ford Focus C-MAX reviews by year of make: 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Read all reviews
- The C-Max blends reassuring safety and space with a great ride and good performance. When you add all its good points together you are left with a great all-round MPV.... read more
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I just logged on to find out more about mpg on this car and can’t believe what I’m hearing. This happened to me after having the car for 2 months; the car just cutting out. The ngr valve was replaced and touch wood it hasn’t happened again, has anyone experienced the clock keep changing time?
Submitted: 11/06/2009 14:43:44
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Having driven back to London from Lancashire I parked the car outside my partners house. When I came to go out later on whenever I put the car into gear and released the foot brake the engine would stall; after several attempts I resorted to placing the auto box in neutral and revving the bollox off it, then placing it back into drive. This seemed to clear the problem until the other day, whilst driving at 30mph in central London the engine decided to stall. Any clues to what is happening?
Submitted: 29/05/2009 10:00:52
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My daughters car purchased from new in 2005 and has been fault free until six months ago, began with engine cutting out, not starting, loss of power steering & ABS - cause alternator, but as car out of warranty, had to pay up. Latest fault is problems starting and loosing power, press accelerator and no response, pumping accelerator eventually gets revs up followed by a big cloud of black smoke. I’ve read on other reports about EGR valve being replaced. Dealership are at a loss, but say bring it in and we can put it on the diagnosis computer at £75 / hour and maybe we can fix it! Very disappointed with Ford Customer Services response to what is clearly a problem but as a retired Ford employee I’m not surprised, remember the Firestone tyre debacle - cost Ford billions.
Submitted: 12/05/2009 15:18:05
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Owned car for two years, 6m, not one problem must b lucky. 0nly one thing is the paint, mine is black scratches as soon as you look at it.
Submitted: 08/04/2009 09:46:21
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1825mm - yes, that’s the width of the C-MAX. Now you try and find a car that wide, that cheap. Well, I couldn’t, especially as I wanted a TD auto. So began the investigations. Horror story after horror story, and yet the "What Car?" types give accolade after accolade. "As good as the Focus!" they say, and then you turn over to page 2, and read through the customer complaints. I come from Impreza country, and Focus’s are fodder to be ignored as a complete waste of effort. I shall now adopt this philosophy with the C-MAX BEFORE buying it. I am sorry for those who have, as clearly, once again, myriads are duped and manipulated into directions they all wished they had never gone. I am buying a Volkswagen Caravelle, where others can breathe my exhaust fumes beneath me, and in thirty years time, I can drive past the rust ridden graveyards of former Dagenham Dustbins, no doubt with over 400,000 miles on the clock, and a breakdown free history. One thing I can certainly claim, is that Caravelle’s will always grow old gracefully, whereas the C-MAX will be retired before it’s middle-aged, with so many ailments, the National Health Service will never be able to keep it alive. But then, it doesn’t deserve it, does it. It’s a cheap vehicle, built with a cheap outlook with cheap support and backup. Interestingly, Ford equates to: Fodder Others Regret Driving = FORD.
Submitted: 30/03/2009 10:04:26
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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
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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
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This is my second new TDCi C Max. I drove Citroens for years so it was a big decision to buy Ford. I tow and found that it had more pulling power. I had no problems with the first, but 4 weeks after I got this one. It was on the back of a tow truck heading west to Angouleme in west France. having stopped and failed to restart. I had it back in three days with the computer "reset" Two weeks later, whilst still in France it stopped again, but as I’d kept the engine running, but no acceleration, it regained its power before the breakdown service arrived. It was checked out at the dealer on my return but no problem was found. In April 2008 on my return from SW Scotland I lost the power assisted steering and was lifted home. A new unit was fitted on warranty. In October it went again, but I was able to drive it the short distance home and borrow my wife’s car to continue on my necessary journey. The following day it had corrected itself and when checked at the dealership, no fault was detected. This occurred again in December following heavy rain. This was outside my brother’s home and the problem had again cleared by the following morning. Nothing more frustrating that an intermittent fault, or is there... On January 30th, the day after another visit to Scotland, I put the car through an intensive car wash. After parking up, I found that the steering had again failed. I was in the supermarket car park with a boot full of shopping, which my wife had to take home by taxi while I awaited roadside assistance. It was taken to the same dealer where it remains. I like the model, but hate my model. I suppose my real gripe is with Ford Customer Relationships, itself an interesting expression. I use my car during the course of my work and my wife has her own car for her convenience, but mainly to visit her mother daily in a nursing home. I contacted Ford on their 0845 number and requested the use of a rental car at their expense. I was told that they could not do this without a diagnosis. My diagnosis is that my car is unusable through no fault of mine and is in need of specialised repairs. The dealer is unable to determine the fault and following contact with Ford engineers and following their advice have been unable to find the fault. My dealership has no car available, so we re-contacted Ford CR today to be told. No diagnosis, no car! This took 25 minutes to go nowhere, a little like my car you may think. I have no real understanding of car mechanics, but it did occur to me to mention that my car had been very wet on two of the occasions and they may look at water egress. My dealer says I can have a car for the weekend and then again from Tuesday next. I am going on, but I’m not expecting a "diagnosis" until after then! I am fortunate that we have a second vehicle that I have been able to use to carry on my work, or else I would have had to hire at my expense. Apart from the inconvenience and frustration, I realise that the whole set up is a bit of a sham and that customer care, once you have purchased a pig, doesn’t really exist. I will soon be changing my car and this whole experience of Ford apathy and lack of anything that resembles customer care, means that I will return to Citroen as my preferred option. I suppose the truly saving grace is that this has only happened whilst stationery or at very slow speed.
Submitted: 05/02/2009 09:14:31
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Do not buy this car - if you are unlucky enough to own one - get rid of it before it kills you, your family or an innocent third party. Strong words, why so damming you may ask? Last week, my wife was driving our children home on a dark country road when without any warning what-so-ever, her C-Max power assisted steering and ABS brakes simultaneously failed. I am not talking about heavy steering here - the brake peddle went hard and the steering wheel would not move more than 10 to 15 degrees from centre. Fortunately my wife was cool headed enough to eventually bring the car to a halt from around 35mph before careering into a ditch or having a "head-on" with an on-coming articulated lorry. The cause was a faulty alternator - replaced under warranty - only after a blazing row with Ford Customer Relations.
Submitted: 17/12/2008 11:23:47
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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
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Ready to buy the 1.8 Titanium. The test drive proved very informative. Living in a hilly urban area driving through crowded streets was an 8 out 10 rating. Open road the same. My main gripes are cosmetics. After about 7-8 miles I was constantly changing `cheeks’ on the very firm driving seat. Also... considering the Titanium is only second to the top models the trim options are extremely poor with only 2 choice colours (Non Metallic) but plenty as `optional extras’. Worse... there is only one choice of upholstery trim and that’s a dull grey black. Cheap Skate FORD.
Submitted: 21/07/2008 09:09:16
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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
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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
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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
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I have a Ford C-Max 2.0 litre diesel and I am very disappointed with the car. After a year of buying the car I started having problems with the power. The car started losing power for no reason while driving. I have taken the car back to Ford dealer three times already and they replaced lots of parts but I still have the same problem. This happened while still under warranty and even after three attempts Ford dealer still cannot tell me what is wrong with it.
Submitted: 28/04/2008 09:25:58
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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
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Expected to buy car tomorrow but read the faults submitted and I may not. Thanks for your comments, it was going to be a 1.6 as there would normally be only two of us in the car but would now consider a 1.8 or is it 1.9 Have they put the faults right on the 05/06/07 cars, or even the 08 plate, no answer no buy.
Submitted: 28/03/2008 09:27:22
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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
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I bought this car in August 2007 and since December have had the most aggravating experience of my life. The car started cutting out for no reason while driving and the first three times the Ford dealer in Edinburgh just re-set the computer and told me it was fine. The fourth time, after they couldn’t find the fault, I looked on the forums and read about the faulty EGR valve causing these kinds of problems. The next day after I told the garage this, they miraculously said that the EGR valve needed changing. I waited a week for them to do this, and then a few days after getting the car back, I got stranded at Prestwick airport with the same problem and had to get towed back to Edinburgh. So the car is now in for the FIFTH time and four times the AA have had to tow me to the garage. Ford will not provide any replacement vehicle for me so I have had to hire a car four times which has cost me several hundred pounds. Now- they say that the EGR valve they fitted last week must have been faulty too!!!!! and have ordered another one. Because they don’t know how long it will take to come in, Ford still will not help me out with any vehicle hire!!! Both the dealer and Ford customer services have been very, very abysmal and as soon as they tell me the car is repaired I will trade it in at the same garage as I have no confidence in Ford or Ford Customer Services whatsoever.
Submitted: 11/03/2008 09:37:56
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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
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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
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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
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very interesting to read Michael Williams’s report regarding fear factor with his C-Max I have had my 2.00TDCI Ghia for one year having bought it from Brooklyn Ford Evesham. First year only driven by their manager. First time it happened I took it in and because their was no computor indication of the fault they couldn’t find anything, second time they still couldn’t but suggested it was the air filter which they changed, lasted a week before it happened again. Usually it happens when pulling away however last Monday it happened five times and then at 60mph on the motorway and then last Friday and as I had free road in front of me I tested to see how long it would last for before coming off the accelerator( which cures the problem , almost immediately ) and it stayed at 15mph for 500 metres. Back in to Ford this week and hopefully this information will solve the problem....I await in anticipation
Submitted: 10/12/2007 09:26:48
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I’m really surprised to find continuously on the Net reports about this car.As an owner I’ve never had any real problems with my 2.0TDCi C-max.As a matter of fact I’ve started to believe that all this kind of malfunctions appears to cars made in G.B. I clearly remember that before ordering my car I asked them where it’s been made and the answer was "Colonia,Germany."I’m really sorry to believe this but till now all bad reports come from U.K. However,those men in Ford should have do ne something in order to save the company’s good profile.Looking forward to read any comments on my report. Dimitris, Hellas
Submitted: 14/11/2007 10:35:27
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Been caught out in some hairy situations, very dangerous pulling into traffic - engine has died no power , has not stalled and power returns pumping accelerator. Spoken to a collegue had the same problem. After two years of investigation, turned out to be the ’air mass sensor after the air filter housing’ . My vehicle currently with Ford to see if they can resolve problem, have informed Ford have to wait and see if they take any notice - would appear to be an inherent fault!
Submitted: 12/10/2007 09:34:37
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The all New Ford C-MAX. Yes, now this is suprising. Never liked the styling on previous models however Ford pushed the boat out with the new one! The Drive was great however even the new car had it’s squeaks and rattles, the Titanium has all the specification one needs and excellent functionality. Being a fan of Diesel cars the 1798 Diesel Engine is the one for me. I think all Ford Diesels are excellent value for money! Titanium specification includes: 17in Multi Spoke Alloys, Air Conditioning, Anti Lock with EBD, Driver Airbag, Electric Park Brake, Fr + Rr Velour Mats, Front Foglamps, Immobiliser, Overhead cons+mirror, Ovrhd Cnsl Wth RrObs, Passenger Airbag, Passenger Seat Adj, Power Rear Windows, Quickclear, Rear Head Restraints, Remote Locking, Side Curtain A/Bag, Solid Paint, Sony Aud/Sngl Slt CD, Sony CD, Span Cloth Upholstry, Split Rear Seat, Volume Sensing Alarm. For full details on this vehicle please got to the Manufacturers site and or visit you local Ford Dealer. Working in Car Finance ’Acorn’. I will say this vehicle offers great value for money when looking at Finance Packages too.
Submitted: 02/10/2007 12:29:07
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In general,
I've found this a comfortable car with plenty of power if needed. The 136bhp
6 speed engine is lively and has considerably more power than the 1.8 model.
Incidentally, I test drove the 1.6 and found it underpowered and sluggish (I
have a 1.6 Focus for comparison) - I wouldn't recommend this engine size in
the Cmax.
Good points:
Exciting engine, pretty good economy (45.2mpg average), the
rear sliding seat system is very useful, a large boot and lots of toys
including voice recognition, auto lights, auto wipers, auto dimming rear
view mirror, electronic handbrake, bluetooth, decent stereo etc (note some
of these are non-standard extras)
Bad points:
-Unsurprisingly with a higher centre of gravity, it doesn't corner as well
as the Focus (which is excellent). However, that said, it is considerably
better than I thought it would be and better than many lower cars such as
the Peugeot 307.
-The auto wipers even on the most sensitive setting are sometimes not
sensitive enough.
-The electronic handbrake takes some getting used to. If it thinks you are
on a hill it won't let you take it off unless you depress the foot brake.
This requires a new style of hill start where you achieve the biting point
without the use of the accelerator. Fortunately the engine / clutch are more
than capable of holding it on the hill (and indeed pulling off) without the
use of the accelerator. Achievable, but as I said, it takes some getting
used to.
-In 6months and 8000miles I've had one fault: The voice recognition unit
packed up and was replaced under warranty.
One final point is that before purchasing I read many forums and one common
fault with the Cmax relates to some cars frequently stalling when pulling
off. I think I may have test driven one car with the fault as I stalled it 3
times in 2miles. Be aware of this on any test drive and don't purchase one
with this fault as the forums suggest that Ford don't know how to correct
it.
In general, I'm very happy with my purchase and would recommend it.
Submitted: 11/09/2007
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Good Points - Seating, room, comfort(5*), driving fun, gearchange, suspension.
Bad points - lots of interior rattles, leak into boot not covered under warranty (12 months only for leaks!!), quality of paintwork. Stalls easily & difficult to start in hot weather.
Overall - if the quality was upto the driving experience and comfort I'd give 5 stars.
Submitted: 30/08/2007 14:06:32
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Although this is a good size family car with lots of gadgets, I feel you could get more for your money on something else.From new I have also experienced a clutch problem where it had to be replaced with less than 2k miles on clock! The same problem has since come back with still less than 10k miles.Dealer has hinted this is not the first time this problem has been reported on the c-max.
Submitted: 30/07/2007 15:58:14
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Average driver rating ( based on 40 reviews )
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Average driver rating ( based on 29 reviews )
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Average driver rating ( based on 13 reviews )
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Average driver rating ( based on 13 reviews )
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Average driver rating ( based on 13 reviews )
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Average driver rating ( based on 13 reviews )
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Average driver rating ( based on 12 reviews )
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Average driver rating ( based on 11 reviews )
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