2016 Ford C-MAX Energi Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 9%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi, 9% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,100 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on a highway and the steering wheel stopped responding. The only way to get the steering wheel to respond was to make drastic turns that would take me across 3 lanes of highway and then back the other way. I finally got the brake to slow me down enough, I pulled over. I had hit another car and the c-max was totaled. According to the Ford dealer where the insurance company took the car, the steering column was destroyed in the accident so there was no way to determine if there was a problem with the steering. …”
NHTSA complaint #11089206, filed 2018-04, 15,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message Service Power Steering was displayed, and the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer has not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 37,200.”
NHTSA complaint #11638212, filed 2025-01, 37,200 miles“Power steering system failed while driving, just out of warranty above 60,000 miles; vehicle is currently at a dealer for repair within a week. This made it extremely difficult to safely maneuver the car off the road. Dealer confirmed the power steering system is inoperable and needs to be replaced. Warning light appeared when power steering gave out; no other warning was given.”
NHTSA complaint #11428203, filed 2021-08Related service bulletins
- 10204994Mar 1, 2016Online automotive service information system for March 2016
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology