Ford C-MAX Problems by Year
NHTSA has 370 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls on file for the Ford C-MAX, across 6 model years (2013–2018). The 2013 model year has the most complaints (187). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
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Ford C-MAX years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C-MAX year: 2013, 2014, 2015. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2013 C-MAX: 187 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2014 C-MAX: 80 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2015 C-MAX: 55 complaints, 6 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2018 C-MAX: 10 complaints, 1 recall
- 2017 C-MAX: 15 complaints, 1 recall
- 2016 C-MAX: 23 complaints, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Ford C-MAX problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 86 | 6 | 1 |
| Power Train | 70 | 6 | 5 |
| Steering | 64 | 5 | 1 |
| Engine | 25 | 5 | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention | 18 | 4 | 1 |
| Structure | 18 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 17 | 5 | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 5 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 14 | 4 | 4 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Suspension | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Ford C-MAX problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2013: electrical system (51)
All Ford C-MAX model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 C-MAX | 10 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2017 C-MAX | 15 | 1 | — | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2016 C-MAX | 23 | 3 | — | Back Over Prevention | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2015 C-MAX | 55 | 6 | — | Back Over Prevention | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 C-MAX | 80 | 8 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 C-MAX | 187 | 8 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford C-MAX years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2013 (187), 2014 (80), 2015 (55) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical C-MAX year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford C-MAX?
Electrical System, with 86 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford C-MAX have?
12 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.