Ford has announced that it is lowering the fuel economy ratings for its 2013- and 2014-model year hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, as well as most 2014-model year Fiestas.
Ford has announced that it is lowering the fuel economy ratings for its 2013- and 2014-model year hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, as well as most 2014-model year Fiestas. Ford says that it found an error with fuel economy ratings through its internal testing and notified the EPA. Ford then worked with the EPA to retest the vehicles to determine the correct fuel economy ratings.
“Ford is absolutely committed to delivering top fuel economy and accurate information,” said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. “We apologize to our customers and will provide goodwill payments to affected owners. We also are taking steps to improve our processes and prevent issues like this from happening again.”
The new ratings cover the Ford Fiesta, C-MAX, Fusion and the Lincoln MKZ. The Fiesta sees its fuel economy ratings drop from 32/45 mpg for the 1.0L to 31/43 mpg and from 29/39 mpg for the 1.6L to 27/37 mpg.
The differences for the hybrid models is more significant with the C-MAX Hybrid’s rating being downgraded from 35/40 mpg to 42/ 37 mpg and the Fusion Hybrid dropping from 47/47 mpg to 44 in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The MKZ Hybrid gets an even bigger hit with its rating dropping down to 38 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway from 45/45 mpg.
The C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids are now rated at 38 mpg with a 19 mile EV range, which is down from the previously estimated 21 mile range.
Ford estimates that approximately 200,000 of these vehicles have been sold or leased to customers in the United States. Affected Ford and Lincoln owners and lessees in the United States will receive a goodwill payment for the estimated average fuel cost of the difference between the two fuel economy labels.
The Fiesta is eligible for up to $450 for purchase customers and $275 for customers that leased the vehicle depending on which engine they chose. The C-MAX Hybrid is eligible for $475 or $300 if you leased it, while the Fusion Hybrid has a goodwill payment up to $775. The Lincoln MKZ has the highest goodwill payment at $1,050 if you purchased it or $625 if you leased it. The C-MAX Energi is eligible for a payment up to $775, while the Fusion Energi is eligible for up to $850.
Source: Ford
