The Environmental Protection Agency ordered Ford Motor Co. to immediately change the mileage stickers in the windows of its hybrid model Ford C-Max after discovering that the 47mpg label is supposed to be 43mpg only. The carmaker is willing to comply and will be sending checks to owners soon to compensate for the mileage drop.
The federal agency, which tests and monitors vehicle mileages, released the order on Thursday. Christopher Grundler, director of transportation and air quality, clarified that Ford didn't deceive its buyers with the 47 mpg label. In fact, the company followed the guidelines of EPA which requires a test of a single unit to define the mileage of all models using the same engine, weight, and transmission.
Ford acknowledged the changes required and is now preparing a $325 check for those who leased Ford C-Max and $550 for those who paid it full. The Ford C-Max has three models: Hybrid SE, Hybrid SEL, and Energi. It went on sale on October 2012 and sold 36,349 units.
EPA is working to change the guidelines they have as it seemed that it doesn't fit on measuring hybrid vehicles. Ford is not the first to encounter the same issue; it also happened to 13 Hyundai and Kia models affecting almost a million units.
Ford used its hybrid Fusion model as mileage basis for C-Max.
EPA started investigating Ford C-Max early part of this year after receiving multiple complaints from drivers that they were receiving mileage lower than indicated in the window stickers.
Raj Nair, the company's product development head, suggested to Grundler that instead of mileage stickers, it will be more accurate if it will show the gasoline usage per mile instead. Grundler is receptive of the idea.
Nair is also planning to redesign Ford C-Max to increase its mileage by adding new seal around the hood, new tire deflectors, and lift gate to reduce wind resistance.
