Ford C-Max complaints by model year
366 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2016 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2015 | 52 | 9 | 0 | 6 |
| 2014 | 80 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
| 2013 | 187 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →
Problem areas by model year
Complaints that name each component, 2013–2018. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.
| Component | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 51 | 20 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Power train | 37 | 18 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Steering | 39 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Unknown or other | 26 | 19 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Engine | 16 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 13 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Ford C-Max recalls (12)
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one C-Max model year, newest first.
| Campaign | Filed | What | Model years | Repaired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V695000 | Oct 13, 2025 | Rearview Camera Image May Not Display | 2015, 2016 | 1.1% |
| 22V413000 | Jun 10, 2022 | Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable | 2013–2018 | 70.3% |
| 20V331000 | Jun 8, 2020 | Doors May Open While Driving | 2013, 2014, 2015 | 58.4% |
| 18V592000 | Sep 10, 2018 | Charge Cord May Overheat Causing Fire | 2013, 2014, 2015 | 47.4% |
| 17V052000 | Jan 24, 2017 | Improper Weld Joints on Floor Pan | 2016 | 64.7% |
| 16V643000 | Sep 6, 2016 | Doors may Unexpectedly Open | 2013, 2014, 2015 | 61.8% |
| 15V436000 | Jul 8, 2015 | Engine may Continue to Run/FMVSS 114 | 2015 | 86.3% |
| 14V597000 | Sep 26, 2014 | Air Bags may not Deploy as Intended | 2013, 2014 | 54.3% |
| 14V514000 | Aug 22, 2014 | Steering Gears Missing Ball Bearings | 2014 | 98.4% |
| 14V237000 | May 7, 2014 | Side-Curtain Rollover Air Bag Deployment Delay | 2013, 2014 | 89.9% |
| 14V164000 | Apr 2, 2014 | Welds on Seat Assemblies may Fail/FMVSS 207 | 2013, 2014 | 77.2% |
| 13V475000 | Oct 17, 2013 | No audible chime with open driver door/ FMVSS 114 | 2013 | 93.1% |
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.
Check on NHTSA ↗Fuel economy by model year
EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Where to next
Ford C-Max FAQ
How many recalls has the Ford C-Max had?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns that cover at least one Ford C-Max model year from 2013 to 2018. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.
Which Ford C-Max year has the most complaints?
Among the last 6 model years with settled counts, the 2013 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (187) and the 2018 the fewest (10). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.
What are the most common Ford C-Max problems?
Across the 2013–2018 model years, owners most often name the electrical system, power train, steering in complaints filed with NHTSA.
What mpg does the Ford C-Max get?
EPA rates the 2017 Ford C-Max at 39 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.