necrochaos

2nd White Platinum: 2013 C-Max returned due to being a lemon, 12 trips to the shop 2014 C-Max in White Platinum was the replacement vehicle. Both in Kalamazoo, MI

My case is finally finished. It took a lot of me pestering Ford. As well I got the dealer involved and they called Ford multiple times. After getting paper work start this process in May, I finally received a new vehicle. I didn't have to obtain new financing. I took my 2013 to Ford and signed an Odometer Statement and a form to release the title to them. I walked out with a 2014 Car, same options and color except this one had remote start installed (+380 dollar option). I'm now making the lease payments on my new car, picking up where I left off with the old car. I think I got a pretty good deal, however it took months of my time to get this taken care of. The dealer was very helpful to get this job done. Their service department did everything they could. I'm "happy" with the way this ended. However, I don't think I'll be buying Ford the next time I purchase a car. This process took too much of me being involved. It's a shame. This is my 4th Ford car. I was very excited to buy a hybrid and hyped this car out at work and to friends. Now they wouldn't buy one for anything after my experience. Of course I realize that my experience is unlike most other owners. But it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. If anyone needs help with their case or advice from someone who went through it in Michigan, I'm happy to help.

After going back to the dealer for the 12th time, Ford sent an engineer from Corporate to take a look at my car. They diagnosed it with a throttle body issue. They also flashed the firmware on the computers to the newest available (not yet available to the dealer). 1 day later things are still working. I just heard back from my Regional Rep that they are going to replace my car. I should be getting a formal letter in the next two weeks. Needless to say I'm very excited. Over the last 40 days, I spent 12 of them in a rental car. I've been to the dealer 12 times (24 times if you count driving both ways) with a different error code each time. Glad to see that Ford is going to resolve their problem. I'm sure blasting them on Twitter, Facebook and Change.Org didn't hurt either, but at least they are trying to make it right. I'll send some updates once I get the letter.

Update: Received the car back from the dealer on Tuesday. They said that they spoke with Ford and wanted them to wipe the computers and start from scratch. They had the car for about a week and experienced no issues. I had it back for 36 hours and the check engine light came on. Called my Ford Regional Rep. Let her know that I was unhappy with how things were being handled. This is my 4th Ford and this purchase has tarnished my experience with Ford. She said that she would escalate my case and asked me to get this to the shop as soon as possible. They were working on my lemon law case in accordance with Michigan Law. I hope to hear something soon. 6th trip to the dealer in less than 3 months of ownership. I see that others have taken their chances with a 2014 Max. I'm not sure if I can take another shot. I love my car and the way it drives, but maybe it's time to look at another Make of vehicle.

My dealer is in Kalamazoo, MI. It's a good size dealership. I've purchased 4 cars from them in the last 10 years. They treat me well when I go in there. I don't think they are jerking me around. They got a call from my Ford rep. They told me that they will be working with Ford to try and get this resolved. They said that they want to make me happy as well since it costs them resources to have my car in the shop all the time as well. There is another dealer that is 10 miles away that I could take it to, but it's a smaller dealership. I agree that the check engine light may indicate a failure and may not be something that needs to be handled immediately. However, I'm leasing the car. If the light is on and it's something important and I fail to have the work done, warranty won't cover my negligence. I'm taking it in because the light shouldn't be on. I don't want not being cautious to cost me in the end.

I got the built in nav for the first time. I wouldn't go back. Having a suction cup for my phone on the windshield or my GPS stuck to the windshield with a power cable going to the 12V adapter is cluttered. It's adding another device that I have to bring with me. The built in nav has a great screen, takes spoken directions well and hasn't gotten me lost yet. I've always thought the money was too much for technology that will be old in a few years. However, after thinking about it over 5 years it really isn't that much of an investment. I'm very happy with the nav system and suggest others purchase it as well.

After having some issues with my 2013 Ford C-max and reading that others are also having issues, does anyone know if the 2014's are having less repairs? I know that it's a risk to buy the first model of any vehicle. I understood that going in. If I end up getting my 2013 bought back, I was considering getting a 2014. However, I don't want to go through this again.

I've opened a case with Ford for problems with my 2013 Ford C-Max. It's going to the shop for a 5th time. 1st time was 3 weeks after purchase. Engine light came on. They said that it was an issue with one of the computers. They said that they reset it. 2nd time was a few days after the first. Engine light came on. They kept the car for a few days. They said that they went through all of the computers in the car and rest them. 3rd time this happened was a few times later. Engine light came on. They found that the purge valve was bad. They ordered the part and didn't call me for 2 weeks. I Called and it hadn't been ordered. They put it in and gave me the card back. 4th time was a few days after I got the car back. Engine light came on. They kept the car for a few days. They said it was a stuck O2 sensor and replaced it. 5th time this happened was 2 days after I got the car back. Engine light came on. I called Ford Customer Care and opened a case. Someone from the regional office called me the next day to let me know that they will be looking at the case. I'm supposed to take the car to the dealer tomorrow to be looked at. Hoping that Ford can figure this out. It's leased from Ford. I love the car, so hopefully the can finally fix it or replace it with another of the same model.