2004 Ford Focus C-MAX Zetec 1.6 tdci from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A very good concept, but needs more quality

Faults:

Tailgate lock sticky.

Armrest.

Turbo seal (replaced under warranty)

Reverse light switch.

Loud tappets.

Windscreen seal loose.

General Comments:

Drives really very well, an excellent ride, great on the motorway and over speed humps.

The seats are well shaped.

The boot is reasonable, but could be bigger.

The engine is OK; not as fast as a 2.0 tdci, but very reasonable. 45mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th May, 2007

23rd Aug 2007, 07:58

An update to the above review:

On a motorway, after suddenly losing power, the engine expired in a cloud of black smoke. A faulty turbo had wrecked the entire engine, causing thousands' worth of damage; holiday ruined.

2004 Ford Focus C-MAX LX 1.6 TDCI from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Generally a good practical car

Faults:

Unexplained loss of power whilst on motorways. (ongoing fault, has been into the garage 3 times)

Rear tailgate unlocked whilst travelling. this fault fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

Comfortable car - economical - drives well.

Just the fault which spoils it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th January, 2007

2004 Ford Focus C-MAX Zetec 1.6 TDi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Deathtrap

Faults:

Sudden and unexplained power loss.

Flywheel had to be replaced at 18K miles.

Brakes wear out quickly.

General Comments:

This car is an unreliable piece of machinery. It is also dangerous. I have had the car in the Ford garage on 5 occasions because of power loss. They finally told me it was a crack in the inter cooler causing the fault. A week later I lost power overtaking a lorry. As I said a death trap. Ford dealers are awful. Customer service is not in their vocabulary. I am getting rid of this heap of junk ASAP.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd July, 2006

25th Oct 2006, 12:18

Serious Deathtrap.

After reading a couple of the reviews about this car I thought I had better add my own...

Make/Model - Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCi Zetec

Year of Manufacture - January 2004

Reliability - worst car that I could possibly have invested 15K in.

Period of ownership - 23 months.

Problems

1) Wheel alignment pulled to the left from date of purchase

2) Interior trim fell to pieces

3) Oil leaks

4) Engine problems (second engine at 12 months old)

5) Loss of power when over taking

6) Loss of power whilst passing vehicles on the M1!!! aaaaaahhhhhhh!!!

7) Car fuel consumption was an acclaimed 57.6 MPG ONLY got 26.4 MPG even on replacement engine, but apparently vehicle was performing OK when connected to the computer.

8) Temperature control Sensor was recording -20 degrees in the East Midlands in summer.

9) Air con Problems

10) Ford customer service a complete joke

11) Local Dealer a complete joke just laugh at every problem (disgusting)

THIS IS WHAT TOOK THE BISCUIT!!!

12) Local dealer accused me of using dodgy diesel whilst on a free fuel card in connection with British Petroleum of which came with the vehicle.

13) Biggest problem was who the car was made and designed by, I am sure if it was owned by a different manufacture it would probably be a reliable car.

I would never have another one if anyone gave me one, lost £8000 in 23 months against a much better car Renault Laguna Sport Tourer.

11th Jan 2007, 16:53

The 1.8 Zetec I had was so bad, I wanted to drop a lit match in the petrol tank. How the hell that thing never killed me and my family I will never know. It used to want to throw you through the windscreen without provocation the moment you touched the brakes. It would snatch like crazy to the left and head for the ditch like some home-sick newt. It never warmed up properly. The inside used to mist up in an instant leaving the driver totally blind. It would only do 27 MPG even on a run, and worst of all, it would stall when pulling away which when emerging out of a side road, was particularly dangerous. Potential buyers keep away, that's my advice.