supercell

This is what the FordEtis shows on the VIN:

Outstanding Field Service Actions

Jeff,

 

I have a 2013 SEL,  I got it used with 11k miles on it about 10 months ago.  I now have close to 24K miles on it.

 

It has only been in the shop once  for the seat back recall.

 

It has never failed to start,  no dead 12v battery.  my life time  MPG is 42-43.  my last tank was 46.  I like certain aspects of the car when compared against other comparable hybrids.  but there are a some things I don't like

 

 

I would buy another c-max or even consider the energi  Since my commute is 15-18 miles  the energi would work well for me..

 

I would take the VIN to a ford dealer and have them run a vehicle check to see how many times the car has been seen by a dealer.  That might indicate  if it has any problems...

Hi thanks for the reply!  The car is from a Ford dealer, actually the original one where it was bought from. I would love the energi, I had a Volt as well but yes you are right need to check the service records.

This is the best car I've ever owned in nearly 5 decades (and many, many vehicles) of ownership.  Nothing else even comes close -- if you liked it when you drove it, you know why and that feeling will NOT go away (unlike many other cars whose "novelty" wears off).

 

There's no question the battery issue is the sticking point -- and 2013 SE models without MFT are more likely to have it than others.  That would be my ONLY concern about that particular vehicle you're looking at.  It doesn't mean that all of them have that issue, or even the majority, but you always have to wonder about it.  If Marc is right and you can do a background check on it that would be *extremely* helpful, because if it hasn't been in the shop more than once or twice it's unlikely to have had that as a problem.

 

Note that without MFT the Kelley Blue Book (no relation :>) on an EXCELLENT car (and only 3% of cars meet that criteria) with that mileage is $13.5K.  So I would at the very least counteroffer that to your dealer (actually, if it were me I'd offer him 13K and if he didn't want it that would be his own loss).

Hi thanks, is the MFT = My Ford Touch Im guessing. This SE doesnt have that it seems. I know about the KBB value on the car is lower than they are selling however from exhasutive searches all over the USA, this price and mile combo seems to be a good deal, the dealers always jack up their price but with some haggling I always get it lower.  Background check on its service is the way to go it seems.

I assume it's a Ford dealer selling the car?  The Ford dealer should be able to give you the service records.  If there's no history of the issue, then buy it.

 

We don't know "how bad" the no start issue is (% of vehicles affected).  We also know one recent poster indicated 7 no starts.  If you can live with the possibility of "no starts", then buy it.   You can carry a Jump Start battery in the car which virtually always will get the car started thus mitigating inconvenience (there may have been one time I recall where it failed to start the car).

 

I'm not familiar with what Certified means with respect to Ford.  But, the no start issue is likely a 3/36 warranty item.  So, since the car is past 36 k miles, will it be covered?

 

Otherwise, IMO the C-Max is a very reliable car with great attributes. :)

Yes its a Ford dealer. And I will get all those records for sure. Certified suppose to carry a huge inspection and they restart the bumper to bumper coverage (though its not as complete as the orig new car one) and also the powertrain goes to 7 yrs and 100k but that also resets back to the orig date I think.  I love the car though so I will check it all out as far as past service.

I was thinking the same thing before I purchased mine.  All the problems listed had me thinking twice about the purchase.  Then I started looking around other car sites.  Both the Prius and the Volt had a long list of problems stated too.   My conclusion is that people post problems and they all have some issues.  Most people that don't have an issue never say that.  Sure some do on this site and others but most just enjoy the car and never even come to the forum unless they have an issue.  

 

I have had a few issues with mine but I also did with my highly rated Scion xB too.   I am glad I decided to buy it.  It is a fun car. 

Hi thanks. Yes I  had a Volt and a Prius as well so yea probs with all cars.  I was trying to see if it were from some disgruntled people and didnt want to be biased and glad you guys are replying cause I feel a bit better about it all now.  As long as theres a long warranty with the Certfied car, then Im more inclined to buy.

I'm early in my 5th decade of car ownership, but I agree with the rest of the statement. Only thing I've paid for is oil changes (and a tire I holed).

 

Another place to check the VIN is Ford's etis site. Enter the VIN on the Vehicle tab. 12M02 and 14B03 should be the only things listed under "Outstanding Field Service Actions."

https://www.etis.ford.com/

 

Have fun,

Frank

Thanks, this is very helpful! I will check this today.  There were some cars at the dealer called RAV?  They told me these were buybacks and they all were branded this way on the carfax and titles and they were all 2013s btw. Interesting. But again I will get the service records, thats all I can do as this is most likely very individualized as far as issues with the battery. 

Hi

this is my first post, glad there is a forum.

I love the car and drove it many times at the dealer. 42k miles, 2013 SE, $14,500. Certified.

I was all happy and pysched to buy this next Monday till I started reading all the negative things about the batteries failing, etc and other issues on this forum.

Now after months I am having second thoughts cause of what I have been reading.:(

The purpose of this thread is :

Can someone please reassure me with some POSITVE things about this car cause I am really bummed what I just read.

Is it really all that bad?

Are there certain 2013s to avoid?

Obviously the decision is up to me but I want to make sure Im not getting too upset by what I read on here.

Im really confused now and dont want to give up on this so please someone say something good! :)

thanks

Jeff