CR's 10 Least Reliable Cars - C-Max leads the list

[ptjones]

Listen, I know there are alot of passionate C-max owners, and I love mine after only 2 months.  But let's face facts:  this is not just "one opinion" --it is the opinion of a well respected organization who actually "tests" things rather than go by anecdotal info.

 

The last three mechanics told me the same thing:  you want reliability, go with Toyota.  Only trouble is you might fall asleep while driving one.  Toyotas are reliable cars.  It's a fact.  But the jury is still out on the C-Max.  It may prove that Consumer Reports is full of BS--or they may be right.  We need to wait.

 

But c'mon guys.  Just because you went on a long drive and had a great time doesn't prove anything.

I have over 52k mi. now after a year and half with no significant problems with life time Fuelly average of 45.1mpg. I think this would qualify as a pretty good test. The problem I have with CR is their MPG test isn't very accurate for any Hybrid cars and especially CMAX with a Fuelly avg. 39.6mpg compared with CR 36MPG. :)

 

Paul

[fbov]

As any good experimentalist can tell you, it's not hard to get the answer you want from a test, just change the test until you're happy with the results! Repeat it until you "pass."

 

CU is a business. They have been known to sensationalize their results in the past because it's good for business; controversy sells. That makes them something less than the unbiased testing organization they proport to be. That doesn't mean their data is not useful, just that you can't take it at face value, even if you like what they say!

 

HAve fun,

Frank

[ptjones]

As any good experimentalist can tell you, it's not hard to get the answer you want from a test, just change the test until you're happy with the results! Repeat it until you "pass."

 

CU is a business. They have been known to sensationalize their results in the past because it's good for business; controversy sells. That makes them something less than the unbiased testing organization they proport to be. That doesn't mean their data is not useful, just that you can't take it at face value, even if you like what they say!

 

HAve fun,

Frank

I was hoping by now CR would have come up with a test that was more realistic with what people can expect(Fuelly Average) with Hybrids MPG's.  I wouldn't have bought a CMAX if I thought I was going to get 36mpg when I was getting 39-42HWY mpg's with my 2007Focus and 41City mpg's with my 2010FEH. IMO :)

 

Paul

Edited April 15, 2014 by ptjones

[fbov]

...I wouldn't have bought a CMAX if I thought I was going to get 36mpg...

And you aren't!

 

Conversely, looking at my car, I have to admit its performance is a lot closer to CU's mileage than the EPA's estimate. My Fuelly numbers are even worse....

 

Frank

[ptjones]

And you aren't!

 

Conversely, looking at my car, I have to admit its performance is a lot closer to CU's mileage than the EPA's estimate. My Fuelly numbers are even worse....

 

Frank

If it ever warms up, so much for global warming, in the 30's tonight. Did you ever stuff anything in your grills? :) 

 

Paul

[fbov]

Top's blocked, and I have a bicycle inner tube closing off the middle inlet, but the lower grill was longer than the tube would block, and too low to spend much time on before it warmed up.

 

And be careful what you ask for... adding energy to a complex system usually increases the range of results before you see an significant average shift. One cold winter is no sign of a contrary pattern, given that large parts of the world saw record warmth. It'll be interesting to see what kind of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) we see once the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) flips back.

 

And i just read today, that clouds in Antarctica are coorelated to Winter temperatures in North America, with a 2 week lag for the "message" to travel 12,000 nautical miles South, and rise 83 km.

 

Our knowledge is dwarfed by our ignorance... so much more to learn!

 

Frank

[Phil1336]

Whats the complaining about the C-Max Hybrid`s Fuel Economy.  43 MPG Average, yeah, for most Drivers, thats a stretch.  36 to 39 MPG is more realistic.  My 2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback got 33-35 MPG City and 41-43-MPG Highway but look at the difference in size and weight of the two Vehicles.  Ford (exceeded) its EPA Fuel Label on its Fiesta!  Can`t wait to see my C-Max parked in my Driveway along side my 2015 Mustang Convertible later this year.  Bet they will look fine together (regardless) what Consumer Reports says!

[mtcmax]

When I got the c max I called my Dad. After listening to me go on and on- the mileage, the high seat, the view. Silence. Then he quoted  the bible- Consumer Reports. I pleaded my case weekly. Trips with 57 mpg, 49, 74 and low 40's. The silence of a car start. Then during one phone call he sighed and said- it's a good car till something happens. In March he was diagnosed with cancer. In April as he lay dying in bed and I was 2000 miles away on the phone I wondered what do I say to lift the mood. Then it came to me. I swallowed my pride. I told him- it is in the shop. A momentary silence then laughter. Told him I still love the car. Dad died last week. Cars are personal. My first car was a ten year old Ford Falcon that Dad bought. Ford please fix the c max problems, find the solutions so this good car does not fade away. 

[Jus-A-CMax]

@mtcmax, please pass our condolences to you & your family at the passing of your father. Hope they resolve your car issues soon...and like I said, if theres no movement, please feel free to contact Ashley who is a Ford Rep here on this forum and see what she or her colleagues can do to help move things along. Trust me when I say, Ford cares and are watching these CMax issues... :)

[fbov]

When I got the c max I called my Dad. ...

We never know where our life lessons will appear, but it looks like you found one when you needed it. Condolenscenes on your loss, but congratulations on your parting gift!

 

My Father died when I was 12, so I made the most of my Mother's passing, 18 years later. No regrets then, and lessons learned as we've just done the same for my in-laws. I'm driving my Father-in-law's car.

 

HAVe fun,

Frank

[plus 3 golfer]

Sad to hear mtcmax but you made your dad laugh in a time of sadness.  My condolences.  So, I hope you enjoyed the time you got to spend with your father, as one never knows when their time is up and how fast moments of joy can turn to sadness.

 

I really never got to know my father as I was six when he passed of throat / lung cancer (2+ packs a day and breathing air ladened with toxic chemicals from working in a tannery couldn't have helped).   My mother will be 93 next month with mild dementia.  She says the family doctor never suspected his symptoms were cancer (or perhaps conditions that would ultimately lead to cancer) until a couple months before his death and had told him to find other employment and move to a "different" climate and his respiratory problems would go away.

[Arthur]

I haven't had any problem yet 21000 miles.

[Jus-A-CMax]

Listen, I know there are alot of passionate C-max owners, and I love mine after only 2 months.  But let's face facts:  this is not just "one opinion" --it is the opinion of a well respected organization who actually "tests" things rather than go by anecdotal info.

 

The last three mechanics told me the same thing:  you want reliability, go with Toyota.  Only trouble is you might fall asleep while driving one.  Toyotas are reliable cars.  It's a fact.  But the jury is still out on the C-Max.  It may prove that Consumer Reports is full of BS--or they may be right.  We need to wait.

 

But c'mon guys.  Just because you went on a long drive and had a great time doesn't prove anything.

 

Long ride indeed - 32,000 miles. Mostly city but I get to drive to Mammoth every winter from Thanksgiving to Memorial Day and I drive it to work, golf and use if for real. In heavy traffic et al...and in the city of high gas prices - granted not as high as say Hawaii.

 

50.1 lifetime MPG. Yes, long driving and not long drive my friend ;)

[ptjones]

With 65Kmiles I'm one of the high mileage members. I just replaced a wheel bearing and put a new set of tires on the car. Not to shabby I would think, no battery problems and 45.4MPG actual mileage according to Fuelly. :)

 

Paul

[Jus-A-CMax]

With 65Kmiles I'm one of the high mileage members. I just replaced a wheel bearing and put a new set of tires on the car. Not to shabby I would think, no battery problems and 45.4MPG actual mileage according to Fuelly. :)

 

Paul

 

You and Matt can battle it out for the most miles. I am very happy to reduce the miles I once did in the 1st year. Thankfully my job is ALL city driving and if I choose to drive fwy, I can do so but waste more gas, blockage and greatly reduced MPG - so I rather spend only a little more time for quieter streets and MAX MPGs.

 

Gotta  :flirt:  this "least reliable car - CMax leads the way"  :victory:

Edited July 23, 2014 by Jus-A-CMax