Ford C-MAX Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 372 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the Ford C-MAX (2013–2018) that have at least 5 complaints. 2013 has the most, with 187. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (86 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All C-MAX model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 10 | 11,750 | 1 | 61 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 15 | 38,448 | 1 | 118 | — | Stable |
| 2016 | 24 | 34,240 | 3 | 128 | — | Falling |
| 2015 | 56 | 45,000 | 6 | 88 | 31 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2014 | 80 | 53,394 | 8 | 94 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 187 | 68,000 | 8 | 88 | 65 · More | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system86 24%
- Transmission and drivetrain70 19%
- Steering64 18%
- Other or unknown64 18%
- Engine25 6.9%
- Back-over prevention (rear camera)19 5.2%
- Body and structure18 5.0%
- Air bags17 4.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2017: “The car was in acceleration mode at every speed on the highway, residential streets, at stop signs, always exceeding the speed limits. I continually braked to maintain control. Tires squealed when I released the brake at stop signs. There was nothing under the gas pedal. I didn't dare drive into the garage; the car would have been in the kitchen. When I put it in park, engine still revved.”
NHTSA complaint #11318715, filed 2020-03, 33,000 miles2014: “I was in a major accident (while driving on the highway, hit in the rear and pushed off the highway into a guard rail) my car was totaled and my airbags never deployed. It looks like my vehicle's make model and year were supposed to be part of a recall involving the airbag but we were never contacted and the dealer never acted on a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11150047, filed 2018-11, 53,000 miles2013: “Transmission failure and no parts available. I heard what I thought was another wheel bearing noise which happened a month ago and was repaired. This time it turned out to be transmission is bad. Still owe 4100.00 to Ford on 6 year loan. Car purchases 3/2014 new. They can't fix it due to no parts available as noted on this repair bill. (quoted 8100.00 if they could get the parts)”
NHTSA complaint #11203182, filed 2019-04, 109,000 milesOther Ford models
38,897 complaintsFord Explorer
34,624 complaintsFord Escape
27,530 complaintsFord Fusion
22,441 complaintsFord Focus
22,107 complaintsFord Taurus
18,162 complaintsFord Windstar
14,152 complaintsFord Edge
14,106 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology