BestCarRank
Ford

2014 Ford C-MAX ENERGI

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2014 Ford C-MAX ENERGI has 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: after rain, the sensor warning on my car went off almost continuously. there were no warning signs on the dashboard, and i ran a vehicle diagnostic test that claimed everything to be fine. i tried using my car hours later (by this time my car was dry and had been parked in an indoor garage). when pu. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report

39

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

16 complaints
41%
  • • AFTER RAIN, THE SENSOR WARNING ON MY CAR WENT OFF ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARD, AND I RAN A VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CLAIMED EVERYTHING TO BE FINE. I TRIED USING MY CAR HOURS LATER (BY THIS TIME MY CAR WAS DRY AND HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN INDOOR GARAGE). WHEN PU
  • • THE CAR HAS 2-4 CONNECTIONS FOR A CELL PHONE AND THE USB CONNECTIONS ARE LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSUL AND WHEN IT IS USED IT CONNECTS TO THE DISPLAY MONITOR ON THE DASH. BUT WHEN IT IS USED FOR A CELL PHONE THE CELL PHONE WILL NOT CHARGED AT ANY RATE. THE CELL PHONE GOES COMPLETELY DEAD AND IT IS
  • • WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (ABOUT 1/2 WAY THROUGH A 6-HOUR HIGHWAY TRIP), THE "STOP SAFELY" WARNING LIGHT AND ACCOMPANYING BEEPS STARTED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. I HAD TO LATER LOOK UP IN THE MANUAL WHAT THE ORANGE TRIANGLE WARNING SYMBOL MEANT. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PU
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“AFTER RAIN, THE SENSOR WARNING ON MY CAR WENT OFF ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARD, AND I RAN A VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CLAIMED EVERYTHING TO BE FINE. I TRIED USING MY CAR HOURS LATER (BY THIS TIME MY CAR WAS DRY AND HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN INDOOR GARAGE). WHEN PU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

4 complaints
10%
  • • AFTER RAIN, THE SENSOR WARNING ON MY CAR WENT OFF ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARD, AND I RAN A VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CLAIMED EVERYTHING TO BE FINE. I TRIED USING MY CAR HOURS LATER (BY THIS TIME MY CAR WAS DRY AND HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN INDOOR GARAGE). WHEN PU
  • • THERE IS A RECALL ON DOOR LATCH. FORD IS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET MY CAR FIXED BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE DEALERDHIP TO ORDER MORE THAN ONE SET OF PARTS AT A TIME. THE DEALERSHIP MUST COMPLETE ONE WORK ORDER BEFORE THE NEXT CAR'S PARTS CAN BE ORDERED, MAKING IT ESSENTIALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE
  • • I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED IN MARCH OF 2018. THE 12 VOLT BATTERY HAS COMPLETELY DRAINED NUMEROUS TIMES THE FIRST MONTH I OWNED IT. ABOUT 10 - 12 TIMES. FINALLY IN APRIL OF 2018 I REPLACED THE 12 VOLT BATTER TO THE TUNE OF $155.00. I THOUGHT THIS WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. IT DID FOR A FEW WEEKS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“AFTER RAIN, THE SENSOR WARNING ON MY CAR WENT OFF ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARD, AND I RAN A VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CLAIMED EVERYTHING TO BE FINE. I TRIED USING MY CAR HOURS LATER (BY THIS TIME MY CAR WAS DRY AND HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN INDOOR GARAGE). WHEN PU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

4 complaints
10%
  • • UNABLE TO TURN OFF CAR WITH KEYLESS IGNITION. COMPUTER SEEMED TO THINK CAR WAS OFF AND WOULDN'T LET ME TURN IT ON BECAUSE IT THOUGHT IT WAS PLUGGED IN (WHICH IT WAS NOT) AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND I COULDN'T TURN IT OFF.
  • • THE CAR DID THE SAME THING THIS MORNING, 7/14/2017, SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR ON THE DOWN GRADE IN LOW. I JUST FILED A REPORTED OF 2 OTHER INSTANCES OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS OF THE SAME NATURE YESTERDAY 7/13/2017. I ALSO REPORTED TO OUR LOCAL FORD AGENCY THIS MORNING ( AUTONATION FORD IN TORRENCE, CA).
  • • THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND BASED ON RESEARCH FORD CLAIMED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR THE 2013 MODEL. FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY FURTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE THEY DID NOT REFUSE TO REPLACE IT COMPLETELY WITHOUT COST.*BF
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“UNABLE TO TURN OFF CAR WITH KEYLESS IGNITION. COMPUTER SEEMED TO THINK CAR WAS OFF AND WOULDN'T LET ME TURN IT ON BECAUSE IT THOUGHT IT WAS PLUGGED IN (WHICH IT WAS NOT) AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND I COULDN'T TURN IT OFF.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

3 complaints
8%
  • • WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (ABOUT 1/2 WAY THROUGH A 6-HOUR HIGHWAY TRIP), THE "STOP SAFELY" WARNING LIGHT AND ACCOMPANYING BEEPS STARTED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. I HAD TO LATER LOOK UP IN THE MANUAL WHAT THE ORANGE TRIANGLE WARNING SYMBOL MEANT. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PU
  • • THE PORTABLE CHARGER WALL PLUG MELTED WHILE CHARGING. THE PLASTIC MELTED AND WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. THIS WAS AFTER TWO HOURS OF CHARGING AN EMPTY BATTERY. FORD IS NOT REPLACING IT UNDER WARRANTY, IS IT IS JUST OUTSIDE 3 YEARS.
  • • RECEIVED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" DASH INDICATOR LIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER AND I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP PRIOR TO INTERSECTION. PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN VEHICLE OFF, BUT CAR DID NOT RESPOND OR POWER DOWN. ACCESSORY ITEMS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (ABOUT 1/2 WAY THROUGH A 6-HOUR HIGHWAY TRIP), THE "STOP SAFELY" WARNING LIGHT AND ACCOMPANYING BEEPS STARTED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. I HAD TO LATER LOOK UP IN THE MANUAL WHAT THE ORANGE TRIANGLE WARNING SYMBOL MEANT. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

3 complaints
8%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD C-MAX ENERGI HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RODS AND PISTONS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HA
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD C-MAX ENERGI HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RODS AND PISTONS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HA
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALHAMBRA FORD IN ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE BROUGHT IN FOR DIAGN
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD C-MAX ENERGI HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RODS AND PISTONS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 39 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: AFTER RAIN, THE SENSOR WARNING ON MY CAR WENT OFF ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARD, AND I RAN A VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CLAIMED EVERYTHING TO BE FINE. I TRIED USING MY CAR HOURS LATER (BY THIS TIME MY CAR WAS DRY AND HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN INDOOR GARAGE). WHEN PU

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    BODY/STRUCTURE: AFTER RAIN, THE SENSOR WARNING ON MY CAR WENT OFF ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASHBOARD, AND I RAN A VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CLAIMED EVERYTHING TO BE FINE. I TRIED USING MY CAR HOURS LATER (BY THIS TIME MY CAR WAS DRY AND HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN INDOOR GARAGE). WHEN PU

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: UNABLE TO TURN OFF CAR WITH KEYLESS IGNITION. COMPUTER SEEMED TO THINK CAR WAS OFF AND WOULDN'T LET ME TURN IT ON BECAUSE IT THOUGHT IT WAS PLUGGED IN (WHICH IT WAS NOT) AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND I COULDN'T TURN IT OFF.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (ABOUT 1/2 WAY THROUGH A 6-HOUR HIGHWAY TRIP), THE "STOP SAFELY" WARNING LIGHT AND ACCOMPANYING BEEPS STARTED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. I HAD TO LATER LOOK UP IN THE MANUAL WHAT THE ORANGE TRIANGLE WARNING SYMBOL MEANT. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PU

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Ford C-MAX ENERGI — Year Comparison

How does 2014 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2017
6Excellent Reliability
2016
19Excellent Reliability
2015
19Excellent Reliability
2014
39Above Average
2013
65Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2014 Ford C-MAX ENERGI

Compare With

2014 Acura ILX36 complaints2014 Acura MDX246 complaints2014 Acura RDX258 complaints2014 Acura RLX136 complaints