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CarsLore / Makes / Ford / C-Max

Ford C-Max

Model years 2008–2018 in the US safety record. Years that drew the most complaints: 2013. Fewest complaints: 2016, 2017, 2018.

372owner complaints
12recall campaigns
575service bulletins
11model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2013. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’08’10’12’13’14’16’18187’08’11’13’14’17187

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

New York safety inspections

Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2018.

0.0%1.5%3.0%’13’15’17’181.7%0.0%1.5%3.0%’13’16’181.7%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
2018 C-Max101572 · 0
2017 C-Max1511141 · 2
2016 C-Max2431252 · 1
2015 C-Max5668611 · 0
2014 C-Max808936 · 4
2013 C-MaxMost complaints1878874 · 5
2012 C-Max0030 · 0
2011 C-Max0030 · 0
2010 C-Max0030 · 0
2009 C-Max0020 · 0
2008 C-Max0020 · 0

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

  • Electrical system86
  • Power train70
  • Unknown or other64
  • Steering64
  • Engine25
  • Back over prevention19
  • Structure18
  • Air bags17

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 58 C-Max vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 26 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.

Model yearVehicles in fatal crashesDeaths in the vehicleRolled over
2018210
2017842
20161052
2015521
2014721
201326120

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count

Fuel consumption by year

Official Canadian test results for 6 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 5.9–6.0 L/100 km.

YearVariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
2018C-MAX Hybrid · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV5.76.25.9138
2017C-MAX Hybrid · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV5.76.25.9138
2016C-MAX Hybrid · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV5.66.46.0140
2015C-MAX Hybrid · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV5.66.46.0138
2014C-MAX Hybrid · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV5.66.46.0138
2013C-MAX Hybrid · Full-size · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AV5.56.45.9136

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

In New Zealand

7 C-Max cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports.

Model yearRegisteredSold new in NZUsed imports
2019101
2014202
2011202
2009101
2008101

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

In the Netherlands

23,672 C-Max cars are on Dutch roads; 36% arrived later as imports, and 286 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.

First registeredOn the roadImportedMedian list price
201956354%€33,957
20181,55653%€32,996
20171,87946%€30,609
20162,14344%€30,739
20152,24251%€29,736
20142,59441%€26,595
20132,53842%€28,505
20121,92640%€29,292
20112,33435%€29,420
20101,80613%€25,135
20091,75517%€26,649
20082,07211%€28,850
200726416%€29,750

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new

In Finland

2,971 C-Max cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 67% petrol, 27% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.

First registeredIn useAverage mileage
20197683,000 km
201822897,000 km
2017316118,000 km
2016281141,000 km
2015230151,000 km
2014235170,000 km
2013293184,000 km
2012345220,000 km
2011543229,000 km
2010218223,000 km
2009115232,000 km
200886267,000 km
20075242,000 km

Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0

Road collisions in Great Britain

From 2021 to 2025, 1,607 C-Max cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 17 of those collisions were fatal and 315 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.

YearCars in injury collisionsFatalSerious
2025275358
2024303661
2023358468
2022324269
2021347259

Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count

In the United Kingdom

102,686 C-Max cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.

BuiltLicensedOff the road (SORN)
20192,56016
20184,72438
20177,94371
201610,41596
201511,106163
201412,241249
201313,123294
201210,307288
20119,575397
20105,043284
20094,365412
20087,8141,084
20073,400558
20066623
20052—
20042—
199501

Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0

MOT test results in Great Britain

117,753 C-Max cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 70% passed first time, against 69% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.

First registeredTestsPassed first timeAll cars that yearAverage mileage
20192,72283%86%22,000 mi
20184,90383%84%30,600 mi
20178,09584%82%41,100 mi
201610,65382%79%49,600 mi
201511,46779%75%59,100 mi
201412,83374%72%67,500 mi
201313,99573%68%76,400 mi
201211,22669%66%82,900 mi
201110,84766%63%89,800 mi
20106,50958%60%92,700 mi
20096,07357%59%97,200 mi
200812,29354%57%102,600 mi
20075,78552%57%106,200 mi
200635254%56%117,600 mi

Why they fail

Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).

AreaC-MaxAll cars, same ages
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment11.6%12.4%
Tyres8.0%6.8%
Suspension7.4%10.4%
Brakes6.2%7.1%
Visibility4.9%4.9%
Body, chassis, structure3.2%3.5%
Noise, emissions and leaks3.0%3.3%
Steering1.8%2.0%

DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail

New registrations in Europe

595,442 new Ford C-Max cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Spain (1).

YearNew carsLargest marketsMass kgCO₂ g/kmPower kW
20221Spain1,403105 (WLTP)—
20212Spain, Germany1,473152 (WLTP)92
202084Germany, Poland, Croatia1,498167 (WLTP)91
201922,772Germany, United Kingdom, France1,489163 (WLTP)94
201837,833Germany, Italy, United Kingdom1,451158 (WLTP)92
201749,818Germany, Italy, United Kingdom1,416119 (NEDC)94
201659,111Germany, Italy, United Kingdom1,428—97
201563,532Germany, United Kingdom, Italy1,425—96
201468,466Germany, United Kingdom, Italy1,424—92
201374,658Germany, United Kingdom, Italy1,460—93
201283,412Germany, France, Italy1,460—92
201181,642France, Italy, Germany1,451—94
201054,111France, Italy, Germany1,448——

Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement

EU safety alerts

Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the C-Max in 10 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.

SR/02468/26 · Environment18 Sept 2026 · Focus / C-MAX / Transit Connect / Galaxy / S-MAX / Mondeo / Kuga

The diesel particulate filter (DPF) may be cracked on 2.0 l EcoBlue Diesel and 1.5 l EcoBlue vehicles. This could cause the vehicles to fail the legally required roadworthiness test, as exhaust emissions of soot may be above the authorised limit. The product d…

A12/00141/24 · Injuries26 Jan 2024 · C-Max, Focus, Galaxy, Kuga, Mondeo, S-Max

The engine control unit does not correctly detect overheating, which can allow the engine to overheat, leading to a leak of engine oil. Leaking oil can drop onto the road and create a risk of injuries to other road traffic participants. The product does not co…

A12/1883/19 · Fire, Injuries6 Dec 2019 · C-Max, Focus, Kuga, Mondeo, Galaxy,Transit Connect

The clutch pressure plate may break while the vehicle is in motion. This may lead to a malfunction of the transmission and to increased risk of the engine catching fire.

A12/1602/19 · Injuries1 Nov 2019 · Focus, C-Max

The anchorage bolts on the seatbelts may not have been tightened with the correct torque. This may result in loss of the seatbelts' retaining function, increasing the risk of injuries in the event of an accident.

A12/0028/19 · Injuries11 Jan 2019 · C-Max, Focus, Kuga, Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy

The clutch pressure plate may break. This may result in reduced vehicle performance.

A12/0963/18 · Injuries20 Jul 2018 · C-Max, Focus, Kuga, Mondeo, Galaxy,Transit Connect

The clutch pressure plate may break. If this happens while the vehicle is in motion, propulsion may be lost.

A12/0169/18 · Injuries9 Feb 2018 · Focus, C-MAX

The alloy wheels may have a casting defect which could lead to a premature fatigue crack. This could result in an unexpected alloy wheel failure which could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

A12/1818/17 · Injuries22 Dec 2017 · Transit, Focus, C-Max

Corrosion of the multi-valve for the natural gas system can occur. In the event of a fire, this could lead to the pressure relief device malfunctioning with the risk that the natural gas tank explodes.

A12/1172/17 · Injuries1 Sept 2017 · Kuga, Focus, CMAX

The airbag inflator may be defective which may prevent the side airbag(s) and/or knee airbag deploying in the event of an accident.

A12/0825/14 · Fire13 Jun 2014 · Focus & C-MAX

Vehicles operated in countries which have high road salt usage during the winter months may experience an increased risk of corrosion build up. In extreme cases the corrosion can spread into the electronic circuits and result in overheating. In rare cases the …

Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0

Recalls

12 campaigns cover the C-Max.

25V695000 · Back over prevention13 Oct 2025 · 2015, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

22V413000 · Power train10 Jun 2022 · 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

20V331000 · Latches/locks/linkages8 Jun 2020 · 2013, 2014, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

18V592000 · Equipment10 Sept 2018 · 2013, 2014, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.

17V052000 · Structure24 Jan 2017 · 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.

16V643000 · Latches/locks/linkages6 Sept 2016 · 2013, 2014, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

15V436000 · Electrical system8 Jul 2015 · 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

14V597000 · Seat belts26 Sept 2014 · 2013, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.

14V514000 · Steering22 Aug 2014 · 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Focus and C-Max vehicles manufactured August 8, 2014, to August 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.

14V237000 · Air bags7 May 2014 · 2013, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.

14V164000 · Seats2 Apr 2014 · 2013, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

13V475000 · Equipment17 Oct 2013 · 2013

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

NHTSA recalls