grege

My plan is to change both our trans fluids around 100k. Without any leaks, I'm expecting to add more than is removed due to "heat evaporation" from use (although I remember older transmissions having some venting option that cause some minimal loss). Greg

Cmax air filters are tedious. My engine air filter didn't look too different to the 'mouse nest' one above. I was tempted to 'let it go' for another year, but decided to change it; I similarly sucked up some monster cotton/felt/debris. Not concerning since the filter caught it, but that was unexpected. For my cabin air filter, I threw the retaining screw away since the plastic cover snaps into place although the cabin air filter requires some gymnastics. Greg

Cmax lover, Tough call. In general, if you love your cmax and it's in very good shape and well maintained, I'd price a new tranny (hopefully one having a 3 year warranty or so) and if the price is reasonable, pull the trigger given you'll likely get 200K on it. If you want something newer, I'd look at used 2016, 2017, and 2018 cmaxes since those transmissions are purportedly 'better' (although my 2017/2018s were not). At this point, if my 2018 cmax crapped its tranny again, I'd want a 2017 energi, but that's me. Greg

Check the splash guard - likely that has bent and rusted such that it is touching the rotor just enough. Greg

Wheel bearing is quite possible. If you can load some audio of it, that'll help diagnostics. Greg

Failed vehicle inspection due to "leaking" rear shocks. Shop wanted $700 to replace both. Nope. DIY and casual 4 hours later, replaced both shocks (using TRQs), rotated tires, and cleaned the HVB filter/screen behind passenger-side rear wheel tub while "in there"; screen was clogged and read that can reduce HVB charge. Shocks were slow to remove and reinstall/retorque the bottom bolts (given limited/tight access) and went ahead and replaced both upper shock brackets as well although both looked fine. Not bad overall for $200. Greg

On long trips with lots of downhills, try pressing the downhill regen button on the shift lever; that will help regen charging of the HVB. Able to significantly recharge m wife's energi HVB in some downhill parts of the Shenandoah mountains. Greg

Cars and repairs have gotten so expensive now, warranties need to keep pace by increasing as well. There is no reason (other than greed) that warranties should not be extended to 7-10 years and 120-150,000 miles standard. Manufacturing and reliability has improved (in general), so should vehicle protections. Out of pocket costs have become exorbitant. Greg

My wife and I test-drove both the prius and cmax and the cmax was the far better driving car. My only issue is the cmax has suspect build-quality issues well below the prius. Properly built, the cmax is easily the better vehicle (just not better in MPG). Greg

The recent bushing recall is what first popped into my head as homestead mentioned. Cold and/or coldANDdamp weather can also trigger some weird anomalies in some vehicles. I had a brake pedal brake light switch "stick" and throw codes when the weather turned. First, check for any codes and if your bushing recall was not done, do it and hopefully that settles it! Greg

Welp, it's disappointing but not unexpected. Now our 2017 cmax energi titanium (owned since new) with only 52,000 miles has just finished eating its transmission. 2018 titanium tranny toasted around 36,000 miles first and today 2017 energi titanium toasted at 52,000. Nice job, FORD. Greg

Sadly, yes. Our 2018 titanium tranny was replaced before 36,000 miles and the replacement doesn't drive as well as the original one and occasionally makes noises that suggest the replacement too is not going to be long-lived either. Car currently has 56,000 miles on it. So, I'd much rather see a recall for those displaying signs of problems (e.g., shavings, growling). Greg

Good point. I was hoping they'd communicate without hassle, but now that you mention it...maybe I'll keep wheel/tire fidelity! Thanks, Greg

Can anyone confirm for me that I can definitely interchange/completely swap the wheels on our 2017 energi titanium and 2018 hybrid titanium cmaxes? Tire specs are the same and the wheels appear to be identical, so... My plan is to simply X-cross tires from one cmax to the other (RF to LR, RR to LF, LF to RR, LR to RF from one cmax to the other) to simplify rotation by swapping the tires between vehicles without using a fifth wheel/spare (that I don't have !!!) Thanks for the help! Greg

old one above. New one: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Ford/22-2396

old tsb above. updated: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Ford/22-2396

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10148717-9999.pdf

Heard that Ford finally "owned up" to unresolved tranny issues (through 2018s). Sadly, not a recall (yet), but at least a TSB: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10148717-9999.pdf

Our 2018 c max exhibited those issues (growling noises) and was replaced at 36,000 miles so I'm not convinced it's only the 2015 and earlier ones afflicted (especially since our replacement transmission now also growls after only 18,000 miles of use). Disappointing. Greg

Alright, I realize it's only surface rust, but I will only buy and install coated rotors from now on...I was thinking (probably more so hoping) that DFC daily driver rotors would also be coated in some fashion to retard rusting, but they aren't and for only 10 to 20 dollars more for a full set of rotors, it's worth it to me to go coated just for the better rust-free appearance. Live and learn I guess... Greg

Thanks to this forum posting, I bought a sensor from rockauto for around $50 and replaced it on our 2018 cmax. Getting to the sensor is a bit of a challenge as there is limited room and the dashboard back panel simply gets in the way, but with patience and help from my wife's smaller hands working inside the dashboard...success. Greg

Yogabbas, I understand your concern with the steering issue. We have a 2017 energi and a 2018 hybrid and for whatever reason, I much prefer the drive and feel of the energi versus the regular hybrid. With a steering problem, I would look for another. Either way, please let us know what comes of it. Greg

40,000 mile service should be nothing special other than engine oil and filter change and tire rotation (and replace your cabin and engine filters if not already done). That's all I would do. Greg

Resurrecting this post. Anyone else have this problem? Our 2018 cmax titanium has had this fan noise for 2 years now and I'm tempted to try replacing it, but hope to hear of other success stories. Thanks for any info! Greg

48,000 on our 2017 energi and 53,000 on our 2018 regular hybrid. New tires, brake pads and rotors all around in May and June 2023 and new transmission on our 2018 at 36,000 miles. Greg