Ford B-MAX Owner Reviews: MPG, Problems & Reliability

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Gearbox automatic fixed at 20000 miles. At 37,500 miles I had same gearbox problems as before, with it jumping selection below 35mph. Ford garage says 'can’t see a problem car not road driven'. All checked on diagnostics - utter rubbish again, told to drive call for another 1000 miles before another diagnostic check. This was done at 20000 miles, utter waste of time just bloody fix it! Do not buy a B-max Auto!

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I did a lot of research before buying this car, and have no regrets with my choice. It's a really good small family car. The driving position is really good, and comfort and space in the back is good too. Comfort for four adults is really good for a car of this size. Doors are heavy in a solid, reassuring way. The sliding mechanism is just the same as about every other mpv and van on the road, and much better than hinged doors. The lack of B pillar makes getting in and out really easy, and can allow big and awkward items to go in and out of the side with ease. Boot space isn't huge, but with the floor lowered is very deep. With the seats folded however, the higher roof line means there is a really big load area. Folding the front passenger seat too means you can carry long items, so great for DIY or IKEA type shopping trips. With an urban commute mpg is around 45, but can be as good as 60 on a run. I've averaged 52mpg overall (with a light right foot). Handling is far better than should be possible in an mpv, and the engine feels much more powerful than a 1.0 three cylinder. Of course there are some negatives. I had the windscreen replaced just before the warranty ran out as some of the heating elements had failed. Also the rear windows sometimes 'forget' their closed position, and want to repeatedly open themselves. A careful touch on the controls is required to reset them. A lack of roof rails means that adding a roofrack is a very expensive addition. On some poor road surfaces the rear suspension can become noisy. Overall a very nice reliable car that is small and easy to park, but feels much larger when inside and is so practical .

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I really like this car. Very comfortable to drive and passengers like the easy access. Only a few niggly points, probably electrical. Never have to use rear heater now, as it comes on with the front one. Back windows now go up and down for ages before I can get them closed - always in the rain, so i can see to reverse into driveway! Boot wouldn't close once, wouldn't even go on safety. Booked into Ford, tried it again before tying the boot down and it worked, along with the alarm. Ford laughed when I cancelled, said the electrics had got mixed up. Seriously though, two potentially serious faults developed. Gear box seal failed at 14K , out of warranty. Last week brake fluid light came on, topped up, on again a day or two ago. Mechanic found that the 'banjo bolt' securing the 'flexi hose' to the brake caliper wasn't properly tight. This would normally only be possible if the brakes had been worked on, which they haven't. It's repaired now, but could have been very very dangerous. I Hope that's the end of the serious faults as I like this car so much better than the problem free Fusion I had for 9 years. I had hoped to keep this one, but not if it continues to develop faults not expected at 4 years. The gearbox is smooth, radio etc no problem like others have. It's used mainly around town and uses more petrol than the fusion, but it's a smaller engine and a much heavier car. I'd still recommend it as it's so easy to get in and out of and feels a really solid car.

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Previous car was a Focus but as I am 6ft 4in and sixty five found it uncomfortable to get in or out. This model is much more comfortable and has up to now been very reliable. best suited to four passengers. we use it to visit National Trust properties so also use on the motorways to which it copes very well.

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I bought a B-Max because my late partner was seriously ill and I liked the idea of the sliding rear doors without a central pillar to make access easier for her. However after less than three months it started to have electrical problems, it was forever cutting out I took it back to the local dealer who I'd bought it from but they couldn't cure the problem. The final straw for me was that it failed on me while travelling on the A39 one November night in the middle of Exmoor, I couldn't get a signal from my mobile and traffic along that road is very sparse at that time of night. However after about ten mins I turned the key again and the engine started up, but that was enough for me and that week I traded it for a Subaru XV. My other gripe about the B-Max is that if you're on a slope that the rear doors can be heavy and not be easy to shut

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I've owned this car exactly one year. I've had no problems with it whatsoever. I noticed a reviewer above with the automatic posted mpg in the 20s. I however have found it to be far higher. I don't drive very fast & don't accelerate hard & find mpg can be as high as 51mpg according to the on-board computer. Everything works perfectly, it drives beautifully & build quality is excellent.

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Purchased car secondhand 9 months old with just over 3,000 miles £6K less than brand new price so quite a good deal from Ford Main Agent. Handles well for a taller Fiesta and gives confidence when pressing on which the diesel engine allows well in 2nd/3rd gears. All the hype about the sliding doors just means that in day to day situations allows easier entry/exit to rear especially when loading 20 month old child in back no more banged heads! Only problem encountered was that if you're sat in the car without the engine running and had radio on it automatically turns off after 10 to 15 minutes and if you then keep putting the radio back on it then discharges the battery. In the first 2 months had Ford Assistance out three times to this and Ford say battery ok and sufficent charge for the car. Annoying but you tailor your engine off usage accordingly. Good choice for anyone needing bigger car than Fiesta but not wanting a Focus which has the same style of cramped rear door access. Would buy again.

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central locking broke @ 2 days old!

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This car is very comfortable and easy to drive with a high seat which makes it easy to exit the vehicle whilst giving a good view. The lack of a side pillar and sliding rear door make entering and exiting the rear seat very easy. However, the front windscreen defrost mechanism failed three days after the warranty period and the car has an annoying judder between 15 and 25 mph when not accelerating hard. The battery earth cable also failed, bringing the car to an immediate halt with the gears jammed. AA immediately identified the fault as a broken/sheared cable at the point the cable meets the connector, suggesting that this is a manufacturing fault that Ford should resolve free of charge. However dealer denies this is a known problem.

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Gearbox and contol ECU have been replaced due to gearbox "shudder". Now with an ECU concern when the temp is below -7 the ECU goes to limp home mode and the software needs resetting which the AA can do! The question I have do not Ford have ECU which operates below -7deg/C what happens in the German and North European markets or do they not sell the B max there? I wonder what Ford has to say.

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This car has run perfectly until a week ago when the battery went flat then the RAC changed it but had to take it in for a reboot. On a run I have had as much as 68 mpg by using my right foot lightly on the throttle. It's driven by my husband.

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Lovely looking car and comfortable to drive, UNFORTUNATLY that's where it ends. Auto gearbox is horrendous and causes nothing but problems. Ford have had to extend the warranty on the Autobox to 5 years, due to number of complaints Petrol consumption is absolutely shocking. I certainly don't recommend buy B Max Powershift, stick to manual

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Had this car for a year now bought as ex-demonstrator from Ford main dealer. The car has exceeded my expectations, being the Titanium spec it has an excellent sound system for the class and the cruise control and parking sensors are good. So far have had no problems. Comparing it with my last car (Seat Altea 1.6 Tdci) the engine is a little noisier but more flexible in traffic and has a better ride. Handling is excellent and it makes a decent motorway cruiser. As an arthritis sufferer I find it very easy to get in and out.

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To compare this SUV to a VW is laughable. The Ford B-MAX is superior in so many ways including interior. Yes, the dash looks like a spaceship - that is one of my plus points - offering almost complete control. The B-MAX looks and feels like an SUV until you put your foot down and then it turns into an amimal with incredible performance. I am in my second year since purchased new and have yet to have a problem or a neagtive about it. In my opinion, superb. Very much underrated.

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A great car in most respects. Some niggles: excessive wind noise from A pillars at ALL times; the sliding doors are a little heavy but real complaint is that the upper sliders allow the rolling runners to rattle and they are positioned right by the ears and magnified by the body shell- dealer looking at this but don't hold out much hope - looks like cheap design implementation in an otherwise highly advanced concept- something about ships and a 'ha'porth of tar! Fuel consumption disappointing even for an auto - my 3 litre Beemer petrol could be as well. Brakes also rather" snatchy" at low speed. So small niggles as I say in an otherwise great car to drive and for space and ease of access etc.

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No problems so far.

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Purchased pre-registered from a main dealer, I have been delighted with this comfortable car from day one. The quiet engine, supple suspension, sharp steering and excellent front seats make every drive as pleasant as can be in today’s traffic. It is easy to find a good driving position and wide opening doors with no b-pillar make entry and exit easy for young and old alike. In terms of reliability, so far it's been 100% perfect. Driven carefully my average mpg (by the trip computer) since new stands at 50.6 mpg - following the gear change indicator helps plus the 4 cylinder engine is more flexible than a turbo 3 cylinder, for example pulling well from lower revs needing fewer gear changes. No real negatives, maybe the Satnav is a little old-fashioned but perfectly functional and a reversing sensor is recommended. The B Max is an unsung hero in the current Ford range and great value for money.

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Good car. Plenty of power, reasonably comfortable on long journeys. It's a shame its fuel consumption is so poor. The rear windows also seem to open and close at will. The automatic gearbox needed to be replaced after 19000 miles only to have the same judders in the new one. This was followed by numerous software updates none of which made a difference. The judder still occurs now at 28000 miles, and I've got another garage visit booked (free of charge). As a disabled user I find that the car is becoming a pain in all respects.

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Had this car for 3 years, problems with judder on acceleration 10-20 mph. Been back to garage 3 times, claimed to have fixed problem but still has judder. Sliding rear doors on the heavy side, need slamming to shut properly. Brakes grab , can't seem to be fixed. Couldn't get on with seatbelt, no central pillar, so is lower than normal. Seating comfortable , good visibility Shame but glad to get rid.

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I have had this car, 1.6 auto, for two years. Had a fiesta before that. Chose the auto because my wife can only drive automatics. However, have not regretted it. We both love the car. The higher driving position is perfect for my disabled wife. We often travel from Manchester to Fleetwood and use it for shopping most days. We have never had even a minor problem with it and our gearbox works perfectly. It is smooth, economical, very reliable and a lovely drive. My only grouse would be the lack of a sat nav.

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bought my first ford, i thought the bmax was well suited for me plenty of room the sliding back doors the great open space, went for the 1lt ecoboost rush red hope they keep making this great car well done ford

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My husband loved the car, especially the sliding passenger back doors, but we have had problems in December with battery draining. We were told it was a generic fault which couldn't be fixed until a solution was found. Then we were told this car did not have the fault and a duff earth wire was found. Today, no battery again. A.A just informed me theres an "Amp Draw" fault that needs attention. I wish I could recommend this car but I can't - not from my experience so far.

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I have had the car for six months, bought with 6,000 miles on the clock, the car needs to be used every other day or won't start due to battery drain, in 50 years this is the 1st Ford I have had and possibly the last. It is the only car I have where you put the radio on, drive to where you are going, switch the engine off, lock the car up, work away, and the radio is still playing. I will be calling Ford Assist for the 4th time tomorrow, twice they have said the battery is faulty, I will try once again to get it changed under guarantee by Ford, as it has lost its capacity.

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Ford's biggest mistake ever. Unknown fault making battery go flat in hours. We've had it four months, went to and from garage with the fault not found, then a global alert came back about the battery going flat - they say there will be a cure hopefully in Feb 2015, but until then radio must be on, if not wanted must be on in mute mode. I found out the same faults are on Fiestas and Kugas. For a disabled person it's been a nightmare.

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I've only had it for 4 weeks .

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At 6' 8" tall this car fits me beautifully, so no problem for me but I do think your reviewer complaining about no 7 seat version is a bit stupid, it's a Fiesta for heavens sake. I had a 7 seat C Max before this, the 2 back seats for 6 month old babies only so lets get a bit realistic about this. As a car it is all it says it is, basically a taller Fiesta but just as good. As a mobile computer the electrics leave something to be desired, two or three random engine faults flagged on start up in the first week never to be seen again, random opening of power windows in rear doors random opening of power mirrors when unlocking car in garage there bye n/s mirror hitting garage wall, with keyless entry my wife managed to do the impossible and lock her keys in the boot, something that Ford say you cannot do. The car itself is excellent but reboot the computer and get rid of the gremlins.

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I loved the car until it had gearbox problems, juddering and not picking up speed from standstill. It's now been over a month after two attempts to fit a part, for that not to solve problem. I've had no communication from the garage, I had to complain to the customer relations dept, but still have no news of when it will be repaired. They say it's not dangerous to drive, but I could cause an accident because of this, going too slow before it decides to speed up causing more revs, and reducing fuel economy, too! This is my first Ford and will probably be my last. I've never been treated this badly by Toyota in the fifteen years I drove them. It's all a shame because the car is otherwise perfect for me.

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I brought this car with around 6k on it after killing my other car hitting a badger, anyway we chose this due to the sliding rear doors due to having 2 kids it was ideal. I can not fault it cheaper insurance due to it being a mini mpv £30 road tax a year and pretty good on fuel considering i have a heavy right foot. In the 18 months i have owned it i have had no electrical issues as stated in other reviews my radio turns off when the engine is off and either of the front doors are open. As for the mirror issue in one post you can turn that function off and manually open the mirrors. its now done 45k miles and will probably need a new clutch in a few months but if i was to pick a small issue it would be the size of the boot its not massive you can get about 4 bags of shopping in the boot. Its quick and agile, comfy and the stereo and speakers are bob on

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Great little car, I am very happy with it. It is quite spacious, no problem for myself, my partner and our 2 boys (5 and 8) to fit comfortably inside, bearing in mind that I am over 6 ft 3. Reliable, easy to drive and maintain. The only downside is the lower MPG I am getting compared to what is advertised - just below 40 MPG on my 1.4 90 PS Petrol. Otherwise no issues whatsoever.

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This is a Motability vehicle - I purchased it for easy access,which is good. I have owned the car for 12 months. Bad points :- Poor visibility from the driver's seat when exiting road junctions looking left. Combination of wide door frames in place of pillar, and passenger headrest restricts vision. It's like driving a van. Poor fuel return of 35.6mpg on a run. Very sharp brakes, however light you touch the pedal. Not good for a back problem. Auto gearbox judder (subject of Ford recall). It's had a new windscreen due to electrical fault. Faith in this vehicle - none.

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This is the worst vehicle I have owned bar none. Firstly the sliding door is heavy and awkward,various friends needing help to open and close the doors all passengers being well under the age of 70. Secondly whilst filling up with fuel recently my son open the sliding door hitting my arm which I couldn't release until he closed it. Thirdly the mpg is appalling. 21mpg around town and on local ( 10-15 ) trips. On a recent trip to Cornwall for a week it never topped 34.2mpg whatever way it was driven. I am more than aware auto's are less economical than manual cars but this is a joke!

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Car purchased new in 2013. Drives well, lively but with noticeable accelerator lag. Only one recurring problem, after a 100+ mile run, the car was parked overnight but wouldn't turn over in the morning. Green Flag diagnosed a battery problem but decided to let it ride. Three months later the same problem after the same journey and the AA made a more thorough diagnosis including an unidentifiable small constant drain from the battery while everything was switched off. Checked by main dealer who couldn't find a problem but changed the battery. Nine months on and it's happening again [out of warranty of course], the AA report was identical to the previous one. Main dealer doesn't want to know but this time it is going to an independent vehicle electrician for diagnosis. Keeping my fingers crossed...

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Whilst I am very pleased with this B Max and have had it serviced as required the automatic gearbox keeps slipping and juddering. It has been adjusted twice but to no avail. So now it's having under warranty a new clutch fitted in January 2018.

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Love the car however, today I stopped at an intersection and could not get any power, would not get RPMs up for about a minute. Was stuck until 3x restarting the engine. Then the car "woke up" again.

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We bought this car as we wanted a small MPV and we wanted an automatic car. Unfortunately the car had a faulty gearbox. Ford dealers are still selling the Ford B Max 1.6 Automatic even though they know there is a manufacturers fault. The gearbox Judders and rattles like a box of screws. Also the drivers seat was faulty, it had a lot of play in it and rocked backwards and forwards. We took the car back to Hendy - they tried to repair the gearbox with 2 repairs, a software upgrade and replacement part but without success. Ended up having to reject the car and get a refund. Must say Hendy Ford were extremely helpful. Pre-sale checks on approved used vehicles is not done thoroughly enough! We won't be buying another Ford!

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Got this on a 2 year lease which is almost up. It is a great little car for running around town with the kids. Super easy access to the back to put the little people in and out of their car seats means no twisted backs. With the cramped parking spaces in town, we're going to miss this feature. I've had no battery or electrical issues, except that occasionally it says a door isn't closed when it clearly is. The Main advantage to this car is also its biggest concern for me. The back doors are very heavy due to the pillar being built into them and there is no secure locking mechanism to keep them open. Normally on sliding doors you have to pull the handle to release and close them, but this isn't the case here. This means when parked on a hill, a slight nudge will see the door sliding closed at a surprising rate with great force. As the back doors close directly against the front door, they butt up agains a pice of metal 3mm thick. This is a great concern to me in case my children accidentally knock the door closed. They could easily lose a hand, never mind fingers and this is no exaggeration. If Ford put a lock mechanism on those back doors, I'd give this car 5 stars as it exceeded my expectations in every way - but with that hazard lurking in the back, this car will be going back at the end of the 2 year term. I would recommend this car, but also recommend caution when operating the rear doors.

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