2016 Ford C-MAX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford C-MAX has 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: 1.reverse camera stays on 2.very slow to respond to touch 3.navigation 4.navigation not safe, features not disabled during driving. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 3 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

8 complaints

20%

• 1.REVERSE CAMERA STAYS ON 2.VERY SLOW TO RESPOND TO TOUCH 3.NAVIGATION 4.NAVIGATION NOT SAFE, FEATURES NOT DISABLED DURING DRIVING
• THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE WHILE GOING 70 MPH. TOOK THE CAR IN AND WE WERE TOLD IT HAD A RECALL ON THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. WE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND IT ISN'T LISTED ON THE NHTSA SITE.
• I WAS GOING TO BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THEN ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WENT HAYWIRE.EVERYTHING TURNED ON( WINDSHIELD WIPERS, RADIO, ALL THE LIGHTS. ETC.) THEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO GO IN REVERSE AND IT WENT FORWARD. THEN I TRIED TURNING THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF,

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

“1.REVERSE CAMERA STAYS ON 2.VERY SLOW TO RESPOND TO TOUCH 3.NAVIGATION 4.NAVIGATION NOT SAFE, FEATURES NOT DISABLED DURING DRIVING”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

6 complaints

15%

• Both this 2016 and my 2013 ford c-max hybrid have the backup cameras failing. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they have a black or blue screen than pops up and it says camera unavailable. I know there is a recent recall for other fords with backup camera issues, but the c-max sells much lower
• blue images on the rearview camera when trying to reverse. No accidents have happened from the blue-screen problem
• blue images on the rearview camera when trying to reverse. No accidents have happened from the blue-screen problem

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

“Both this 2016 and my 2013 ford c-max hybrid have the backup cameras failing. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they have a black or blue screen than pops up and it says camera unavailable. I know there is a recent recall for other fords with backup camera issues, but the c-max sells much lower”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

5 complaints

13%

• HEAD IMPACT - PREVIOUSLY RECALLED IN JULY 2013 BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR HEADLINER DESIGN ISSUES. STRUCK WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ONTO HIGHWAY.
• MY CHARGER ISN'T ALWAYS FULLY CHARGING AT HOME AND WORK. AT HOME MY CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE OUTLET IS DEDICATED TO THE CHARGER. AT THE TOP OF CHARGER I GET THE RED FLASHING LIGHT AND SOMETIMES ON THE BOTTOM AS WELL.
• FORD HAS RECALLED MANY CARS/TRUCKS FOR BACKUP CAMERA ISSUES. MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND HAS HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE CAMERA WHICH I HAVE MENTIONED TO THE DEALER. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INCLUDED MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL AS WELL. THE CAMERA SHOWS A DARK SCREEN AND THEN A MESSAGE APPEARS SAYING

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

“HEAD IMPACT - PREVIOUSLY RECALLED IN JULY 2013 BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR HEADLINER DESIGN ISSUES. STRUCK WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ONTO HIGHWAY.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

5 complaints

13%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD C-MAX. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ARRIVED BACK TO WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED AWAY. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, THE VEHICLE W
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH DOWNHILL, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT CRUISED DOWN A HILL INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORMULA FORD INC (LOCATED AT 265 RIV
• DRIVING ALONG A HIGHWAY HOLDING STEADY SPEED OF 65MPH, THE CAR DISPLAYED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE AND DISABLED THE ACCELERATOR. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WITH THE PUSH OF THE ON/OFF BUTTON, BUT THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE REMAINED ON

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD C-MAX. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ARRIVED BACK TO WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED AWAY. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, THE VEHICLE W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

3 complaints

• REAR TIRES REPEATEDLY WEARING OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE A BLOWOUT CAUSING HARM TO MYSELF AND OTHERS
• 2016 FORD CMAX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL HUBS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME DETERMING A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE.
• In the course of routine maintenance, it has been brought to my attention that Stock Ford lug nuts have "Swelled" and can not be removed using normal methods, making on the road tire replacement impossible. Ford states this is a known issue with defective Ford lug nuts.

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

“REAR TIRES REPEATEDLY WEARING OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE A BLOWOUT CAUSING HARM TO MYSELF AND OTHERS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 40 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: 1.REVERSE CAMERA STAYS ON 2.VERY SLOW TO RESPOND TO TOUCH 3.NAVIGATION 4.NAVIGATION NOT SAFE, FEATURES NOT DISABLED DURING DRIVING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: Both this 2016 and my 2013 ford c-max hybrid have the backup cameras failing. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they have a black or blue screen than pops up and it says camera unavailable. I know there is a recent recall for other fords with backup camera issues, but the c-max sells much lower
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: HEAD IMPACT - PREVIOUSLY RECALLED IN JULY 2013 BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR HEADLINER DESIGN ISSUES. STRUCK WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ONTO HIGHWAY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD C-MAX. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ARRIVED BACK TO WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED AWAY. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, THE VEHICLE W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)