2004 Ford Focus C-MAX Ghia from UK and Ireland - Comments

Firmware update needed on ECU to fix disappointing initial fuel consumption (<30 mpg).

Otherwise fault free.

This is a fabulous car, and as an all rounder, probably the best I've owned, including many more expensive models.

Although clearly designed as safe, comfortable family transport, the car is actually good enough in handling terms to warrant going out for a blast on your own. It turns crisply, can be balanced on the throttle, and the steering oozes feel. It's actually more fun and "sportier" to drive than my old Bora (1.8T) and seems to "shrink" around you when pressing on (obviously minus the kids in the back). This is something that no other MPV that I drove (VW Touran, Fiat Multipla, Vauxhall Zafira) even hinted at, and is great for those of us who cannot afford the luxury of a "weekend toy" fun car to get our thrills.

The engine is superb too, pulling incredibly strongly throughout its rev range and providing class leading performance. I must admit to not being a diesel fan, but having driven the 2.0 petrol initially, I found the diesel version superior in almost every way. That said, initial economy was appalling at 28-30 mpg (salesman hinted at 45 mpg!), but after running in and a firmware upgrade, this has now settled at around 40 mpg. This is, to my mind impressive for such a big barge of a car, which is capable of 0-60 in around 9 seconds. The engine has not missed a beat and only needs the odd oil top up (twice between both services so far).

The rear seating accommodation is very clever with an innovative 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat, and the ability to tip, tumble or remove each rear seat individually. The outer seats can also slide diagonally inwards if the centre one is removed to give more shoulder room for the occupants.

Interior fit and finish and quality of materials is first class. It has withstood a year and a half of abuse typical of young children, and still cleans up as new.

Although it was an expensive option, the 7500 model DVD system has proven to be worth its weight in gold when taking the kids on a long journey. There is a roof mounted console with a DVD player and a flip-down 7" screen. A clever touch is that the two pairs of headphones supplied are wireless (infra-red) which is much easier for kids. There's also a touch screen DVD sat nav system up front (another expensive option) which works superbly.

The supplying dealer has been very professional and servicing/maintenance costs over 27000 miles haven't broken UKP 500 yet, including a pair of front tyres at 18,000 miles. This is a very pleasant surprise after a Volkswagen. I've marked the dealer down slightly however because courtesy cars are unavailable unless you book the service a month in advance, and they have never cleaned the car before returning it to me. In terms of the standard of work, professionalism of the staff and the quick diagnosis and fix of the only fault though (poor fuel economy), I cannot fault them.

To summarise, this is a well made, fun, practical and good looking family hack, which is superb to drive and comes with every bit of kit you can think of. If this were stolen or written off tomorrow, I wouldn't even bother test driving anything else. My only complaints are the price (>£20k with the options I specified although dealers will drop if you work at it), and some aspects of the dealer service.

Re the ford c max. I have had my c-max nearly two years and its the worst car I had ever driven. I am a ford man through till now never again.

My max has had new tyres at 10k, the mpg I get is around 19/20mpg and worse at times cannot use air con as the fuel runs away,the steaming up in the car is horrendous, the car noise is out of the world if the back window are down, the radi/disc system is okay, but the others like time and date does not work at all (ford knows of this problems, but can't find fault) the seating is worsed for me as I am disabled and the back and rib pains I get is "oh boy" ford c-max never again next car minerva??? but surley it can't get worse my son is disabled and refuses to drive it so that's bad "yes/no"

My 1.9TDCI C max has been very good and reliable with around 42mpg, but squeeks and rattles from the facia on to the screen is a nuisance. Solved by a piece of folded cardboard, but should be better as it is sold as beautifully built! Just had a service at 37500 miles and still on the original tyres all round and no problems.

Electric handbrake is not very good and caused the rear pads and discs to wear out at 34000miles.Ford would not accept liability of it being the handbrake despite front pads being less than half worn and all tyres still having around 5000 miles on them. This shows it has been driven carefully and the only time you can apply the handbrake is when it is stationary.

Other minor problems are loss of time on radio and gear linkage coming apart in reverse.

I think I would have another one as mine was an early example and hopefully the problems have now been sorted.

Trevor Shelley.

Is focus-Cmax availible in the United states?

I have owned a Focus C-Max 1.8 Zetec for almost 3 years (from new) and as far as faults go this has to be the worst car ever, things such as the tailgate opening on it's own, time and date always resetting itself, (Ford can't fix this apparently),arm rest falling off, electric window motor packed up in first year, rear brakes and discs had to be replaced (Ford recall),just today it was difficult to start and engine warning light was on, so it's had to go in for repair yet again. This car is nice to drive and looks OK, but after my experience and other owners I have spoken to who have had similar faults, I would never consider another Ford.

Unfortunately I have to agree with most of the previous comment re the C-Max. Looks good, spacious, and comfortable, but problems galore - and the local Ford dealer here in N Ireland, doesn't give a toss! My three year old C-Max Ghia has been static for almost a week now - started with an EPB warning, but the next day the car was totally dead, won't start. The dealer isn't helpful at all.

Prior problems include rear brakes replaced at 10,000 miles intervals, the time/date function has never worked - I (contacted Ford direct on this and they literally shrugged thier Corporate shoulders!) - noisy, rear window stopped working six months ago, (but apparently not covered by the still current guarantee), rear door won't lock using electronic system, front tyres having to be replaced at 10,000 mile intervals even after regular wheel alignment at the Ford dealer, plus other minor annoyances. Anyone interested in buying a three year old diesel Ghia for parts?!

I've owned a C Max for approaching 4 years and generally I've been happy with the vehicle.

That was until recently when the exhaust started blowing. Having got 45k on the clock I assumed this was just wear and tear and took it to my local garage for fixing. Only to find that when the engine plate was removed the exhaust pipe fell away from the underside of the car as it had detached itself form the catalytic converter.

It transpired that the exhaust bracket welded to the underside of the vehicle had corroded and therefore offered no support resulting in the exhaust breaking off at the cat.

I knew I was facing a large bill so for the past few weeks I've been speaking with Ford Customer Relations to understand whether there had been a history of the fault with the vehicle or whether infact this was just normal wear and tear.

They advised me to take the vehicle into a local Ford franchise dealer for inspection and surprise surprise their conclusion backed up Fords claims that this is indeed regular wear and tear.

Despite still wanting to pursue this I needed to get the problem fixed so I've paid out 544 quid (the parts alone have cost 450).

However, and here comes the interesting bit, I've discovered that the the part which supports the exhaust has been subject to a TSB (technical services bulletin). Has a consequence they are now fitting a 'modified' part specifically designed to provide additional support to the exhaust.

I'm still pursuing with Ford!!

I have had a Ford C Max Diesel (2.0) Ghia for about 4.5 years now and it has run well. However, this week it has produced a catalogue of failures that render it unsafe to drive in my opinion and now it cannot be moved. The power assist on the brakes have failed twice and the dealer tells me that this is a "known about" issue of a jamming valve in the vacuum system when the engine is cold - but there is no recall on it. Then the ignition light started to stay on along with an "EPB (electric parking brake) limited response". Having charged the battery for a few nights and booked it in for attention, the power steering failed and the car now will not start. When you try to start it the side lights come on, the starter motor turns but the engine does not turn. The clock has NEVER worked and always tells a different time when you start up - I have been told that this is some problem with the Sony radio unit - and "no" Ford cannot/will not fix it. I suspect the battery here on the basis that whatever computer system it has is getting messed up if the voltage drops below a certain point - but brake and power steering failure - this is simply not safe. When the brake pads were low there was no warning (I was told Ford do not monitor this) and it cost me pads and rims. When the screen washed is low the system shrieks a warning signal over and over again - I think Ford's priorities here are right out of line with consideration of safety. When/if we get this repaired this car will be sold and I shall avoid Ford in the future.

The Ford Focus C-Max 2.0 TDCi ZETEC is Potentially Dangerous.

Think carefully before you buy this car – if you are unlucky enough to own one – read the following:

Strong words, why so damning you may ask?

Last week, my wife was driving our children home on a dark country road when without any warning what-so-ever, her C-Max power assisted steering and ABS brakes simultaneously failed. I am not talking about heavy steering here – the brake pedal went hard and the steering wheel would not move more than 10 to 15 degrees from centre. Fortunately my wife was cool headed enough to eventually bring the car to a halt from around 35mph before careering into a ditch or having a “head-on” with an on-coming articulated lorry.

She re-started the engine and managed to limp the car home the last half mile. I tried to start the car on our drive and noticed a burning electrical smell, I also got no response from the starter motor. We called Green Flag rescue services. They arrived within 20 minutes and their excellent engineer concluded that the vehicle had suffered either a power steering pump failure or total electrical failure and in any case it was unsafe to drive. I called the local Ford main line dealer (I will not name them as they are not at fault) and explained our predicament – they advised that we get Green Flag to drop the car round to them – which we did.

The next morning the dealer suggested we get in touch with Ford Customer relations re warranty and courtesy car arrangements. Ford were initially very “defensive” and their attitude unhelpful – only after I threatened to call Trading Standards and the DOT vehicle safety agency did they start to soften their stance and we got the warranty repair and courtesy car we are entitled to.

The fault turns out to be a burnt-out alternator which was not charging the battery and subsequently not providing enough power to the Power Steering, Engine Management System, ABS or warning sensors (i.e. Alternator/Battery Charge Indicators). Ford are now back-peddling on their agreement to provide a courtesy car pending repairs (even though it is covered under warranty).

Our car is a 2006 model still under warranty with less that 24K on the clock and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Needless to say this will be our first and last new car purchase from Ford.

A pity - as before this catastrophe - we were happy with the car. Ford still have much work to do in their safety design team and after sales customer care.

I have had my 2005 Ford Focus C-max 2.0 TDCi Ghia for 3 weeks, just read some of the above articles as I have now 3 time gone to start the car to no avail, my partner has taken it back to the dealer, who have fobbed her off saying with it being a heavy duty battery, you need a more powerful charger. I am just charging the battery as I write this to take it back again, not sure if it is the battery or the alternator? This appears an issue form the above comments, ref electrical faults, I have noticed the same issues when the battery is low the power steering has a noticeable change, concern here. I will if car survey permits update with the dealer’s response when I take it back once the battery is charged.

My advice to anyone would be do not buy this car! I have a C Max 1.6 TDCI 5 door 04 reg from new. It has given me nothing but problems! I am writing this after yet another frustrating visit to my Ford dealership.

My problems began almost immediately with minor issues such as radio/clock not working. Clock still not working (won't keep time) and given up telling them. Have experienced same problems as others with rear brake discs wearing too soon. EPB has often flashed 'limited EPB function' but fords could not find a fault. Yesterday I was unable to drive the car due to 'total EPB failure' the cost of this repair I have just been informed is over £700.00. Air con has broke for second time.

Definitely agree with other comments on awful steaming up, and very noisy when rear windows are down.

Ford have never been helpful with my complaints, usual fob offs 'wear and tear etc' no compensation for all my inconvenience back and forth to garage, and now will be in the garage for at least five days and no courtesy car!!

Oh how I wish I had read all of these comments prior to buying my C-max 1.6 TDCI Ghia.

At 9500 miles it needed new rear brakes and disks, and was told it was the way I drove! Even though it is a front wheel drive, was told it was the hand brake even though it is electric.

Eventually managed to get the Ford dealer to go half! Good of them.

Following year, 10,000 miles later, had to replace them again!

I too have had to have two tyres replaced every 10,000 miles. Each time I had Michelin's, but after figuring out that it didn't make any difference, have gone for less expensive tyres.

I've just had a good clear run from Cornwall, and still only managed 35mpg average??

Have had the car 4 years now. It has done 60,000 miles, and have just had a new cat, and like the other cars on here, the EPB Limited function light came on today; nearly crashed when I lost all steering, and it's booked in to replace the alternator tomorrow. Which I guess is going to cost some!

Thing is, I bought this car and spent more than I ever have because I hoped that I would not have to spend as much repairing it as I did with my older cars - now I don't know whether to keep it because the worst is over, or to sell it before anything else goes wrong.

I'm a single parent and a girlie, so feel really let down.

I have had the vehicle for almost a year, and it has been going well enough until recently when I found that my car didn't start even after many attempts.. It is GHIA TDCI 1.6, which I have always thought is safe enough.. Unfortunately I found myself near a field where there was nobody to ask for any help.. My wife was with me, but my little daughter was ill and I had to take her to a doctor immediately. Anyway, I directly called FORD EURO SERVICE and even though it was an official holiday, they put me through a authorized service in Bursa, TURKEY who then understood what was wrong subsequent to my explanations. I waited nearly 4 hours for them to come. And they did, although it was a hard location to find. Alternator was the problem. They replaced it within some 30 minutes. I saw 53000 km on the counter. I still decided to sell it right away.. It cost me 700 TL.

Has any one with a C-max 2.0L diesel had any problems with the turbo? We have one and it's been problem after problem with it.

Had my 2.0 TDCI Ghia for nearly three years. Great car to drive, 45mpg even when driven enthusiastically. Good comfort levels on long journeys, 2000 mile trip from UK to Gibraltar.

Had my alternator go at 80k, but gave no indication (very poor), just a flat battery. RAC replaced my battery!!

Slight rattle from the rear tailgate occasionally, but the car has now done 90k.

Had a lumpy engine feel earlier this year, and cut out now and then, turned out to be the foam on the back of the engine cover pushing down on the injectors. RAC redeemed themselves.

Overall great car, hard to fault.