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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2014 Ford C-MAX Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
23%of 80 total for the year
Median mileage
84,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2014 Ford C-MAX, 23% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Wrench light came on meaning contact dealer asap about powertrain issue. I had noticed a few days earlier it seemed to not be switching between electric and engine as well or smoothly when driving. When stationary, the display screen for radio would not come on when getting into the car. Instead it gives message turning off to conserve battery. Car has been well maintained and is at 78000 miles. Took to dealer. Cannot find issue. Codes it is throwing are for battery but they both test good. They reset codes and we went to pick it up. Now key fobs won't work unless the car is turned on. …”

NHTSA complaint #11032161, filed 2017-10, 78,000 miles

“2014 Ford cmax energi - 70,300 miles purchased new nov. 2014. Was driving switch backs down hill with my car in low. I heard a noise and suddenly the car slipped out of gear in neutral. I braked to a stop. Put it in park and back to drive and it seemed fine. A week and a later, it did it again in the same down hill place on the switch backs. I really takes off when it unexpectedly slips out of gear. I took it to the Ford agency the next day to have it checked. They kept it 42 days (including sundays) but never found the cause. They told me to take the car and come back if it did it again. …”

NHTSA complaint #11005220, filed 2017-07, 70,300 miles

“There is a grinding or rubbing sound emanating from the transmission while driving, at any speed (generally not while stationary but sometimes), and the check engine light turns on. The local Ford dealership (metro motors, st. Croix, u.s. Virgin islands) found transmission variator to drive chain loose causing noise and [n]o internal serviceable components and recommended [r]eplacement of hybrid CVT transmission. …”

NHTSA complaint #11404102, filed 2021-03, 86,225 miles

“Transmission makes a loud whining sound when warming up and in gas mode. It is diagnosed by technician as possibly the transmission bearings, but will not know until they dis assemble. Quoted $7500 for a replacement transmission. The car only has 84,000 miles. Ford will not work with me on the price.”

NHTSA complaint #11061493, filed 2018-01, 83,750 miles

“On november 26, 2019, pressed the start engine button. Dashboard flashed with check-engine, service wrench, and stop safely now indicators; car energized but would not engage in drive mode. Attempted to turn the car off but it would not. Fan motor began blowing although never selected. After several minutes, was able to turn car off. After several more minutes I was able to start the car and get home (approx. 2 miles). Could not get car to start for several days. …”

NHTSA complaint #11291236, filed 2019-12, 49,500 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018110%
2017320%
201628%
2015916%
20141823%
20133720%

Other parts of the 2014 Ford C-MAX

Electrical system
20 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
9 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2014 Ford C-MAX

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