Cmax lover

On 5/7/2020 at 2:01 PM, meh said:

HI everyone,  Just to preface this, I'm currently looking at a 2013 C-max that has an impeccable service history with 165k miles for around 3 grand . I was wondering if there was any good resources on actual failure rates of the bearings in the transmission. I know this almost certainly doesn't exist, but i would love to calculate the odds that it makes it to 200k if i keep up the good service. I know that there are a few reports of government agencies having 4 of these and a few fail, but I doubt there is a good database of failures with a high number of entries(IE someone who complains that their transmission failed at 40k is going to be able to be found, vs someone whose transmission is doing just fine at 220k might not comment on it). Are any of you crazy enough to have scraped together data from a bunch of C-max's to see which ones were still on the road, what mileage they were at,  and what the actual failure rate would be etc? I think by now that the 2013's would be pretty much un-economical to repair. 

My son has a 2013 C max SEL and has 104,000 on it. His transmission just went out and Ford will not do anything about it since it is 4000 miles over warranty. On the inside of the door it will say date of manufacture. His date was 8/12. Also if there is a B in the Vin number that’s a certain transmission that is bad.Also if there is a B in the Vin number that’s a certain transmission that is bad.

Thank you!

My son and I both have a 2013 Cmax hybrid.  He has 104K and mine has 73K.   His was made in 8/12 and mine 11/12. His transmission went out a few days ago.  His repair cost is $10,000. I have read  that the transfer shaft assembly bearing fails and causes issues with the transmission.   If this happens to me under 100k, does the power train warranty hold?  These cars should have been recalled....something this serious should have been acknowledged by Ford.  Any input and advice regarding this is appreciated.

William 5543,

   There are some 2014 models that have had the same problem.  Not sure about the 2015.  Ford reimburses your dealer for the car rental. I forgot to mention I was in contact with the local Ford rep. and she was the one who okayed the car rental payment.  They don't offer it, you have to ask (with determination).  Other than that, she was of no help to me whatsoever.

William 5543,

   I have a 2013 CMax SE purchased in August of 2013.  Manufacture date was 11/9/2012.  I had 3 dead batteries and my attorney told me the IL lemon law is worthless.  I contacted BBB autoline and they were helpful.  A Ford engineer came to look at my car and spent 5 hrs. with it.  He did a TSB on it and it's been fine since.  Of course, Ford wants you to trade in for something else.  I would have lost $8,000+ if I had. My dealer gave me a rental car (no charge) for quite a while.  Call the Ford tow number and you won't be charged.  If you need both of these phone numbers, let me know and I can give them to you. 

I have a CMax 2013 SE and at 9,000 miles started having dead battery problems. (last year) Car would be dead after sitting in the garage all night.  This happened 3 times.  After tons of back and forth trips to dealers and lots of frustrations, I contacted the BBB autoline.  A Ford engineer came and looked at it and did TSB'S on it and after that, it's been fine.  My car was manufactured Nov. 9, 2012, which was the bad timeframe for problems with this car.  If I had traded it in, I would have lost $5,000+.  I couldn't do that.  I may have problems in the future, but I'm crossing my fingers.

You sound like you don't have a jumper battery or you wouldn't have to worry about a dead battery. It seems like most people have dead batteries at night anyway. :)

 

Paul

I'm buying one tomorrow.......thanks. 

I've been through the whole deal of 3 dead batteries.  Trips to the dealer and each time they say they hope it's fixed, but with no guarantees.  Ford rep said there are no guarnatees.  She took weeks and weeks to get the info she needed for a buyback and then I decided to go to the BBB.  They try to drag things on as long as they can.  Now I'm in with the BBB autoline.  Arbitration next step and I have to have the car in downtown Chicago!!!  What!!  I don't trust my car to drive out of town, much less downtown Chicago.  Are they kidding?  Ford really doesn't care what happens to you.  Love my car, but they try to wear you down so you'll trade it in.  I would lose $9,000 to trade it in because the value of the car has dropped so bad because of dead batteries.  I've been told by an attorney that the Lemon Law is useless in IL.  Ford reps, etc, work for Ford.  They are not on your side. Very frustrated tonight.

If your #s are true, your dealership sounds incompetent, to say the least. Have they updated all the modules on the vehicle? Even if they have, have them reflash them all again.

Have they properly tested the battery, or replaced the battery, or just recharged it? Have they taken all TSBs into account on potential causes (water pump, wiring, etc)? Please let us know what else has been done, and what finally resolves it. Or if you end up lemon-lawing it. LOL

The dealer gave me a list of all tsb's done to my car.  It was extensive.  I also wrote a note regarding checking the water pump, wiring, etc).  One of the tsb's included that.  I check " her" in the garage every once in a while to see if she's still "alive".  The service dept. at my dealer is very good and I trust them.  BUT, they've said they don't know if what they've done is a true fix or not.  My ford rep said Ford gives no guarantees.  Interesting.

Thanks, Kelleytoons for your reply.  I received my car back from the dealership for the 3rd time yesterday. .  66 days out of service and 3 dead batteries.  Each time they say it's fixed!  I try to stay positive and think it is, but I don't feel like I can take it out of town, much less out of state because I don't trust it.  Time will tell.

Is there anyone on this thread who has had no battery or major issues with their 2014 Cmax Se Hybrid?  I have a 2013 SE and have had major dead battery problems.  I'm going through a buyback process now and would still like to buy a Cmax.   If you have quite a few miles on your 2014 and have had no major problems, would you give me the manufacturer date of your car?  I would appreciate it.

Does anyone think it's time for someone to initiate a Class Action against Ford to force them to buy back any and all Ford C-Max vehicles IF the owners are sick and tired of all the recalls?  The car has become a bad joke and not only that, "Consumer Reports" lists it as one of the four least reliable vehicles!  Even if you like your C-Max, can you say "very low trade-in and resale value"?  How do we initiate a Class Action suit involving these vehicles?  I'd appreciate some info.  Thanks.

I've been reading all of these earlier posts today. I know I'm replying late to your post, but YES, I agree about starting a Class Action suit.   I can't trade it in because it's not worth much now.  Not sure how it's done, but am willing.

I have owned my 2014 SEL since Jan of 2014, 5679 miles, average 45 mpg. Not one problem.

 

Thanks

Thank you for replying.  I would be buying a 2014 SE and I need the manufactured date and whether you've had problems or not.  Thank you.

I have a 2013 CMax SE with dead battery problems.  Has anyone had battery problems with the 2014 SE ???

Wonder what Ford does with the lemons that they buy back?  Do they crush them or just send send them

in for service and after the service department says "No problem found" put them back on the lot for sale

as a used c-max?

Good question, Homestead !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No, but IIRC from your first post, you didn't either until your 2013 had over 8000 miles on it. As a result, I returned to the Battery topic & read more about getting a battery voltage device & jump starter ... you know - to be prepared - just in case.

 

Did the dealer/service dept send help to you today?

Partially.  I have a rental car, but no resolution/decision has been made by the dealers or my local rep yet.  My local rep said she had a new update, but I'm done with that road.  No one can say "This will definitely fix your car".  The car dies, I have it towed, they do an update, get the car back, it dies, etc. etc.   I want a 2014 Cmax Se just like mine, but need to know if anyone with a 2014 is having battery problems. I don't see anything on their forum that states they have had battery problems.  If anyone knows differently, please let me know.  :)  I've read that a couple people on this forum had their new 2013 for 3 days, and the battery died so I don't think the mileage has a lot to do with it. 

Full disclosure: My brother was a Ford Service Advisor in the Midwest for many years & is a Ford man all the way. His son-in-law was a Ford mechanic & is now a Service Advisor. A close friend's daughter is an Automotive Engineer with Ford. You might think I would have asked their advice about the C-Max, but I did not.

 

I read MotorTrend, Car Connection, etc. & posts in this forum (12V failures almost convinced me to buy Toyota's Prius V instead). I also read CR's 2014 Auto summary, but CR surveys did not influence my reasoning/decision since they are based upon outdated data.

 

After a few months of research, driving both cars convinced me I would be happier with the 2014 C-Max SEL - believing battery problems should be corrected. Sure hope I'm right about that!

MomsHugs......Do you have a dead battery problem in your 2014?  I'm behind in reading all the posts!!!

This comment is on-topic so let's discuss the issue of a dead battery 3x in a Nov 2012 build. Personally, I would like to know exactly what the dealer has done to rectify this situation. Has the dealership replaced each battery to no avail? I would appreciate a post listing how the dealership responded to your battery problem each time. Thank you ~ MomsHugs/Eve

MomsHugs...........The first time it was towed to the dealer, they said they didn't know what was wrong and Ford had no answers.  Charged the battery, took it home and within a week, it happened again.  The second time, the dealer had it for 30 days and gave me a loaner car. They called and said there are 5 updates from Ford that they will try.  The service manager called and said my car was "done" and Ford wants me back in my car. .  They didn't say the car was fixed, just that the updates were done on it.  Drove the car for 2 weeks and yesterday found the car dead in my garage again. I have never had the battery replaced.  I think it's more of an issue of something draining the battery under certain circumstances (?) of which no one knows.  Since it's labor day, the dealer hasn't called back (left a message yesterday) and I have no car.  The service people at dealerships are basically baffled.  It's hard to understand what has taken Ford so long to figure this out.  I love my car, but it is unsafe and unreliable.  Starting a buyback process which I hate to go through...but no choice.

Today I found my CMax with dead battery again in the garage.  This is the 3rd time. Starting a buyback from Ford.  Very upsetting because it can't be trusted.  Also, unsafe. My 2013 CMax SE was manufactured Nov., 8, 2012.

All these things to monitor the battery or go turn the key at night when you hear it doing something are ridiculous. Not the suggestions, but the fact that you would have to do any of them. :) We love the car. Handling, features, how fast it is if you need it, mileage, everything. Except that our battery has been dead twice now. I can't have a car like that, and we shouldn't have to deal with that... It's not reliable and not safe if my wife needs to take the kids to the hospital or something...

 

I agree totally.  I had the two dead batteries within a week of each other.  40 days at the dealer.  Two weeks ago, the dealer did 4 new updates  on my car and I haven't had any problems with the battery.  Keeping my fingers crossed. 

Dead battery here as well on Friday. And when I say dead...I mean completely lifeless. The tow-truck tried to jump-it for over 45 minutes and it didn't work. My wife spent the entire day trying to get the car towed to the dealer and then trying to get a free rental car out of the dealer. I will say that we were lucky. Had it been one day later, the battery would've stranded us (My wife and myself) in the Sierras (ski trip) for who knows how long. She got the car back today with no explanation of the issue from the dealer. They, at first, tried to blame us for it. Saying that it was our fault because we had a usb wire plugged into the console (nothing attached to the wire, mind you!). When we pushed them, they admitted several had come in recently with dead batteries, that it was indeed a design flaw. They didn't fix anything, just recharged the battery. It ended up taking the dealer over a day to charge the 12v....amazing.

 

Luckily, in CA, there is a lemon law that allows us to get most of our money back if this occurs 3x. Unforunately, we can't trust the car anymore and have to always have a back-up plan for when this happens again, because I'm certain it will.

 

I'm looking forward to getting rid of this lemon.

 

Do you have a 2013 or 2014?

It was stated that compensation checks for the most recent FE reductions would be paid out by September, but begin as early as late June. Has anyone received a check yet?

Yes, I received my check about 3 weeks ago. Hurrah!

What is a lemon, anyway?  I think it's a very trouble prone car which has problems that, to date, have not been fixable, or are fixed and then reoccur/reappear.

 

Based on the original post, is that example of a C-Max a lemon, or representative of what we should expect of a C-Max or what we should expect of Ford?

 

We've only gone 8,000 miles in 10 months, but have only needed to return to the dealer for the updates - never for a problem or repair.  Our lifetime MPG is around 45 MPG, with a lot of it highway driving...sure, less than the EPA #s, but who believes that nonsense anyway?

When was your car manufactured?

Can someone tell me if any of the 2014 CMax SE's have had any battery problems?

I found a Wireless voltmeter on line (http://www.i-voltmeter.com/) that appears to be able to log Voltages over time and can send Info 30ft to Iphone or computer, maybe there is something here to figure out the problem. Maybe someone smarter can put it together. What do you think? :)

 

Paul