Ford C-Max Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford C-Max model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2018 drew the fewest (10) and the 2013 the most (187).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
10 | 1 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
15 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | 39 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
22 | 3 | Back over prevention | — | 38 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
52 | 6 | Electrical system | — | 38 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
80 | 8 | Electrical system | — | 38 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
187 | 8 | Electrical system | — | 38 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford C-Max years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Ford C-Max: 187 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 51 (27%); Steering 39 (21%); Power train 37 (20%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 68,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Ford C-Max: 80 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 20 (25%); Power train 18 (23%); Steering 14 (18%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 53,787 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Ford C-Max: 52 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 9 (17%); Power train 9 (17%); Back over prevention 7 (13%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford C-Max years with the fewest complaints
2018 Ford C-Max: 10 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (20%); Electrical system 2 (20%); Steering 2 (20%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
2017 Ford C-Max: 15 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 3 (20%); Steering 3 (20%); Vehicle speed control 3 (20%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 fires. 1 recall campaign listed.
2016 Ford C-Max: 22 complaints
Most-reported: Back over prevention 5 (23%); Electrical system 2 (9%); Power train 2 (9%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 32,480 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford C-Max owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 32,480 |
| 2015 | 52 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2014 | 80 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 53,787 |
| 2013 | 187 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 68,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford C-Max recalls
- Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable (2013–2018 model years; 2,925,968 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2022; 22V413000)
- Doors May Open While Driving (2013–2015 model years; 2,147,323 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2020; 20V331000)
- Doors may Unexpectedly Open (2013–2015 model years; 2,046,297 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V643000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display (2015–2016 model years; 1,448,655 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V695000)
- Air Bags may not Deploy as Intended (2013–2014 model years; 746,842 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2014; 14V597000)
All 12 Ford C-Max recall campaigns · Ford C-Max problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford C-Max years FAQ
Which Ford C-Max year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2018 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (10). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford C-Max years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2014 and 2015 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford C-Max problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (85 of 366 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford C-Max have?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns covering the Ford C-Max. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford C-Max recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.