Broken Cabin Filter Clip

[RobertStatham]

So I was trying to change the cabin air filter on my dad's Mach-E and totally broke the left clip. Now the filter’s all loose and not sealing right. Do you think I need to replace the whole thing, or can I just let it slide? Will it cause any other issues?

 

[Slayer1986]

It looks like those clips are actually built right into the HVAC housing, so swapping them out might mean pulling out the whole thing. The service manual does mention screws holding the cover in place - could that be a way around it? It’s so annoying when the design is a total head-scratcher. Seriously, putting the clips on the cover itself would’ve made way more sense. I’ve had similar clip issues on other cars before, but at least they were on the cover, so replacing them was a breeze.

 

[Blastoid43]

We also own a Ford Escape, and I recently replaced the cabin air filters in both vehicles. I noticed something interesting: the Mach-E doesn't use screws to hold the filter in place, while the Escape does.

(By the way, I accidentally broke one of the tabs on the Escape's filter housing while I was changing it. Ugh! Luckily, the screw is still holding it in place securely.)

 

[jamesklasseur]

Loose filter is gonna let unfiltered air and debris into your HVAC system, which isn't ideal. Dusty vents, reduced airflow, and potentially even mold growth over time. Plus that loose filter could vibrate and make annoying noises. Honestly, I wouldn't let it slide. You might be able to rig something up with some zip ties or strong tape but that's a temporary fix at best. Your best bet is to either try to source a replacement clip (if that's even possible) or just replace the whole filter housing. It's probably not a super expensive part, and it'll save you a lot of headaches in the long run.