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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2015 Ford C-MAX Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
16%of 57 total for the year
Median mileage
42,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Ford C-MAX, 16% of the 57 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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.

“1. On taking a trip from panama city beach, fl to indianapolis, in this cmax was parked & locked in the northwest florida beaches parking lot at approximately 9 am cst 2. At approximately 4:30 pm est a telephone call was received from the airport police informing me that the cmax was in the parking lot running with the lights on and I was asked to go to the parking lot and turn the automobile off. …”

NHTSA complaint #10954093, filed 2017-02, 40,000 miles

“Vehicle is not holding EV now/later modes causing unexpected battery usage and fuel consumption. An example is traveling highway speeds (70-75 MPH); vehicle will unexpectedly switch into auto mode and revert from gas/hybrid performance to electric/battery only performance which is reduced power and response again at highway speeds. This is not always the case as I have found this to happen before I enter the highway and can adjust my drive accordingly. …”

NHTSA complaint #11031986, filed 2017-10, 38,173 miles

“Reverse gear setting actually put the car in drive after starting the parked car nd attempting to back out ofparking space. I tried turning off engine, and the same thing occurred, the car continued to creep forward until the car made contact with the parking space sign. This is not a small issue as 1) it probably occurred previously with the same model in the same fleet and leaser charged me upward of five hundred dollars to fix vosmetic damage caused while parallel parking and 2) thus could cause bodily injury had the parking space not been blocked in front. …”

NHTSA complaint #10895980, filed 2016-08, 5,000 miles

“Driving my 2015 Ford C-Max and all of a sudden I lose power. I press the gas and nothing. I was driving through a intersection and had to coast to the side of the rode. Big red triangle show up saying stop safely now . Car has been at the dealer for 4 days, they are trying to find the problem. I have read online about this problem with multiple Ford vehicles and a recall was called for the focus. I guess Ford is to big to go after and the ntsb drags there feet like no other. Call for a recall on all vehicles that stop safely now'. Will you wait until people die to do something!!”

NHTSA complaint #11024493, filed 2017-09, 36,725 miles

“The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear became difficult. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11473552, filed 2022-07, 142,000 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 2015 Ford C-MAX

Back-over prevention (rear camera)
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2015 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