Skip to content
Ford C-MAXModel year report

2016 Ford C-MAX Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
34,240miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
39 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 41 city / 36 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Ford C-MAX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2016 Ford C-MAX. The part named most often is back-over prevention, with 7 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown (6) and electrical system (3). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 79% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 34,240 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 128 technical service bulletins for this model year. Back-over prevention complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the camera and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Back-over prevention (rear camera): “Both this 2016 and my 2013 ford c-max hybrid have the backup cameras failing. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they have a black or blue screen than pops up and it says camera unavailable. I know there is a recent recall for other fords with backup camera issues, but the c-max sells much lower volumes so it is harder to get the same exact problem recalled.”

NHTSA complaint #11454351, filed 2022-02

Other or unknown: “Received a letter from Ford although Ford is not calling this a recall I believe it is pretty serious. This if for the customer satisfaction program;17b28 Ford is saying the electronic throttle body may develop contamination and may result in the vehcile entering a protective low-speed mode which can be dangerous if this happens on the highway. I called my local dealer and they are saying that the the next appointment for this fix is not until august 2018! I think this is a pretty serious problem that Ford should fix right away. …”

NHTSA complaint #11033441, filed 2017-10, 16,331 miles

Electrical system: “The car went into limp mode while going 70 MPH. Took the car in and we were told it had a recall on the electronic throttle body. We never received a recall notice and it isn't listed on the NHTSA site.”

NHTSA complaint #11031781, filed 2017-10, 15,000 miles

Brakes: “My 2016 Ford C-Max with 10000 miles has brake issues... According to the dealer the brakes are rusted and need replaced for $1000.00. Seriously, a vehicle with 10000 miles has bad brakes and not covered by the Ford warranty..... I hope nothing happens while my wife is driving the car as she does not feel safe.....”

NHTSA complaint #11103849, filed 2018-06, 10,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

79% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,331 and 47,000 miles.

0%0–1043%10–2536%25–507%50–757%75–1007%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 34,240 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

201720192021202320265
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Ford C-MAX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Cmax HEV · hatchback FWD★★★★☆4 / 4554 · 14.3% risk

Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Ford C-MAX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C-MAX Hybrid FWD2.0L 4-cyl · hybridCVT413639$1,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 Ford C-MAX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 128 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 128 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford C-MAX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20181011,7501440—Not enough data
20171538,4481440—Stable
20162434,2403439—Falling
20155645,00064—31 · FewerStable
20148053,394843950 · TypicalFalling
201318768,00084—65 · MoreFalling

All Ford C-MAX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Ford C-MAX have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2016 Ford C-MAX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Ford C-MAX is reported most often?

Back-over prevention is named most often, in 7 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 6.

Has the 2016 Ford C-MAX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2016 Ford C-MAX do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Ford C-MAX 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford C-MAX get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Ford C-MAX (C-MAX Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 39 mpg combined, 41 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Ford C-MAX reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 34,240 miles and the middle half falls between 16,331 and 47,000 miles; 79% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.