AI DamageFord C-MAX: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Ford C-MAX across 3 model years: 11 owner complaints and 108 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Backover prevention 45% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- Backover prevention: 5 complaints (45% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 91.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2013–2018
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cyl 2013–2017
- CVT 2013–2018
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backover prevention | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 91 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 38 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 75 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Lane departure | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the rearview camera is malfunctioning, cuts out intermittently, and displays an error message stating that the camera is unavailable. The contact received a safety recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the replacement parts required to…
Rear view camera recall was last year on October 2025 I am facing serious safety issues with the camera not working properly or sometimes entirely not at all the screen turns blue and does not display anything it’s very dangerous
The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The contact stated that the failure was a persistent failure, and the rear-view camera displayed an upside-down image. The dealer was made aware of the failure.
The contact stated while driving 3 MPH, the vehicle started to stall and failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that gasoline was leaking onto the wires and spark plugs.
Finally got an error code of p2112 (throttle actuator control system) while in motion and vibration because the battery does not engage properly
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.....
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be…
- Some 2013-2020 Fusion, MKZ and 2013-2018 C-Max vehicles equipped with an HF35 transmission may exhibit a…
- Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in…
- Some 2017-2022 Ford/Lincoln customers may experience a notification in the…
- Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.