2015 Ford C-MAX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Ford C-MAX has 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: reverse gear setting actually put the car in drive after starting the parked car nd attempting to back out ofparking space. i tried turning off engine, and the same thing occurred, the car continued to creep forward until the car made contact with the parking space sign. this is not a small issue .

8 crash reports 7 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

9 complaints

15%

• REVERSE GEAR SETTING ACTUALLY PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AFTER STARTING THE PARKED CAR ND ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OFPARKING SPACE. I TRIED TURNING OFF ENGINE, AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED, THE CAR CONTINUED TO CREEP FORWARD UNTIL THE CAR MADE CONTACT WITH THE PARKING SPACE SIGN. THIS IS NOT A SMALL ISSUE
• 1. ON TAKING A TRIP FROM PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL TO INDIANAPOLIS, IN THIS CMAX WAS PARKED & LOCKED IN THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 9 AM CST 2. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EST A TELEPHONE CALL WAS RECEIVED FROM THE AIRPORT POLICE INFORMING ME THAT THE CMAX WAS IN THE PARKI
• DRIVING MY 2015 FORD C-MAX AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOSE POWER. I PRESS THE GAS AND NOTHING. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A INTERSECTION AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE. BIG RED TRIANGLE SHOW UP SAYING "STOP SAFELY NOW". CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR 4 DAYS, THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I H

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“REVERSE GEAR SETTING ACTUALLY PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AFTER STARTING THE PARKED CAR ND ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OFPARKING SPACE. I TRIED TURNING OFF ENGINE, AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED, THE CAR CONTINUED TO CREEP FORWARD UNTIL THE CAR MADE CONTACT WITH THE PARKING SPACE SIGN. THIS IS NOT A SMALL ISSUE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

9 complaints

15%

• 1. ON TAKING A TRIP FROM PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL TO INDIANAPOLIS, IN THIS CMAX WAS PARKED & LOCKED IN THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 9 AM CST 2. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EST A TELEPHONE CALL WAS RECEIVED FROM THE AIRPORT POLICE INFORMING ME THAT THE CMAX WAS IN THE PARKI
• IT IS ACCELERATING TO FAST AFTER LETTING FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD C-MAX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V592000 (EQUIPMENT). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NORTH SIDE FORD (1312 N KELLER DR, EFFINGHAM, IL 62401, (217) 342-3929) WAS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“1. ON TAKING A TRIP FROM PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL TO INDIANAPOLIS, IN THIS CMAX WAS PARKED & LOCKED IN THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 9 AM CST 2. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EST A TELEPHONE CALL WAS RECEIVED FROM THE AIRPORT POLICE INFORMING ME THAT THE CMAX WAS IN THE PARKI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

9 complaints

15%

• VEHICLE IS NOT HOLDING EV NOW/LATER MODES CAUSING UNEXPECTED BATTERY USAGE AND FUEL CONSUMPTION. AN EXAMPLE IS TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70-75 MPH); VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY SWITCH INTO AUTO MODE AND REVERT FROM GAS/HYBRID PERFORMANCE TO ELECTRIC/BATTERY ONLY PERFORMANCE WHICH IS REDUCED POWER AND
• CHARGING CORD OVERHEATED AND MELTED AT THE PLUG. RECALL IN PLACE ON THIS ITEM, BUT FORD SPECIFICALLY MENTIONS IN RECALL TO ENSURE CHARGING CORD IS PLUGGED IN TO DEDICATED AND UNDAMAGED/NON CORRODED OUTLET (IT WAS-UNTIL AFTER EVENT) AND NOT ATTACHED TO AN EXTENSION CORD (IT WAS NOT).
• WHEN PARKING OR STOPING, TURNING THE KEY OFF, REMOVING THE KEY THE ENGINE WILL KEEP RUNNING. THIS WAS REPORTED TO FORD UNDER WARRANTIES. THIS IS EASY TO CATCH IN A CLOSED GARAGE BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETECT OUTSIDE (NO NOISE WHEN WALKING AWAY FROM CAR) 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“VEHICLE IS NOT HOLDING EV NOW/LATER MODES CAUSING UNEXPECTED BATTERY USAGE AND FUEL CONSUMPTION. AN EXAMPLE IS TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70-75 MPH); VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY SWITCH INTO AUTO MODE AND REVERT FROM GAS/HYBRID PERFORMANCE TO ELECTRIC/BATTERY ONLY PERFORMANCE WHICH IS REDUCED POWER AND ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

6 complaints

10%

• WHEN STARTING THE CAR ONE DAY, I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT THERE WAS A POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILURE - STEERING WAS MANUAL AND VERY HEAVY. NO CODES PRESENT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY. IT CAME BACK AGAIN ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING AND WENT AWAY AGAIN. THE POWER ASSIST SEEMS TO BE WOR
• THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING STALL AT THE GROCERY STORE AS WE PULLED OUT A MESSAGE CAME UP POWER STEERING FAILURE SERVICE NOW
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD C-MAX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT STEERING SYSTEM ERROR - STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHEN STARTING THE CAR ONE DAY, I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT THERE WAS A POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILURE - STEERING WAS MANUAL AND VERY HEAVY. NO CODES PRESENT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY. IT CAME BACK AGAIN ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING AND WENT AWAY AGAIN. THE POWER ASSIST SEEMS TO BE WOR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

• I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. I WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE IMPACT WAS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. MY VEHICLE WAS SPUN AROUND 45 DEGREES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND I WAS TOSSED AROUND IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY SEAT BELT ON. THE CARS COMPUTER DETECTED AN IMPACT S
• DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG COVER UNDER STEERING COLUMN IS NOT ATTACHED
• Had a front end collision air bags did not deploy

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. I WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE IMPACT WAS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. MY VEHICLE WAS SPUN AROUND 45 DEGREES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND I WAS TOSSED AROUND IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY SEAT BELT ON. THE CARS COMPUTER DETECTED AN IMPACT S”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 60 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: REVERSE GEAR SETTING ACTUALLY PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AFTER STARTING THE PARKED CAR ND ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OFPARKING SPACE. I TRIED TURNING OFF ENGINE, AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED, THE CAR CONTINUED TO CREEP FORWARD UNTIL THE CAR MADE CONTACT WITH THE PARKING SPACE SIGN. THIS IS NOT A SMALL ISSUE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 1. ON TAKING A TRIP FROM PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL TO INDIANAPOLIS, IN THIS CMAX WAS PARKED & LOCKED IN THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 9 AM CST 2. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EST A TELEPHONE CALL WAS RECEIVED FROM THE AIRPORT POLICE INFORMING ME THAT THE CMAX WAS IN THE PARKI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: VEHICLE IS NOT HOLDING EV NOW/LATER MODES CAUSING UNEXPECTED BATTERY USAGE AND FUEL CONSUMPTION. AN EXAMPLE IS TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70-75 MPH); VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY SWITCH INTO AUTO MODE AND REVERT FROM GAS/HYBRID PERFORMANCE TO ELECTRIC/BATTERY ONLY PERFORMANCE WHICH IS REDUCED POWER AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: WHEN STARTING THE CAR ONE DAY, I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT THERE WAS A POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILURE - STEERING WAS MANUAL AND VERY HEAVY. NO CODES PRESENT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY. IT CAME BACK AGAIN ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING AND WENT AWAY AGAIN. THE POWER ASSIST SEEMS TO BE WOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)