AI Damage2014 Ford C-MAX: common problems
Owners of the 2014 Ford C-MAX filed 80 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 80
- involving a crash
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 23% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 18% of all complaints
- 4 Latches, locks, linkages 11% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 20 complaints (25% of all).
- Powertrain: 18 complaints (23% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 14 complaints (18% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 9 complaints (11% of all).
- Engine: 5 complaints (6% 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
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cyl
- CVTnamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 80 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 18 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
There is moderate damage to my front end, but during the crash, my airbags did not deploy.
While backing out of the driveway, the brakes failed. In an attempt to stop the car from continuing into on coming traffic, attempted to put the car in park. After moving the gearshift into park, the car continued to roll into on coming traffic.
I was in a major accident (while driving on the highway, hit in the rear and pushed off the highway into a guard rail) my car was totaled and my airbags never deployed.
After placing the vehicle in park and turning it off, the contact was alerted that the vehicle independently rolled backwards and crashed into another vehicle. The contact was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
2014 ford c-max. Consumer stated when he removed his foot from the accelerator, to slow down and stop at a traffic light, the vehicle did not slow down. The consumer tried to depress the brake pedal, but could not and consequently hit another vehicle. Updated 12/14/14
Major electrical issues, including rear view camera not working, vehicle starting when no key fob is in or near the vehicle, tail lights burning out even after replacement, one taillight blinking faster than the other, screen for infotainment not turning on, all of a sudden vehicle not starting with complete battery…
For the last couple of years I've had a problem with the backup camera it goes out randomly sometimes the picture turns upside down sometimes it's just a black screen sometimes there is a thing that says see the dealer.
My 2014 Ford Cmax Energi is unable to exceed 80 MPH. This is due to Ford MyKey systems not allowing other keys to be made for the vehicle without restrictions being applied. Because I had to get a new key made, my car now is unable to go over 80MPH. In Arizona, the flow of traffic is quick and intense.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,081 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the C-MAX has 62 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 80, above average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Ford C-MAX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, steering. Total complaints: 80. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (23%), steering or power steering problems (13%), door locks, latches, handles (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2014 Ford C-MAX?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2014 Ford C-MAX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2014 models
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 2026-11-05.