Ford C-Max Complaints (2016)

56 consumer complaints on file.

#11771483October 15, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max. 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 complete the repair are not yet available. The contact has reached out to the local dealer and notified the manufacturer of the failure, noting that the manufacturer has exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the recall remedy. The failure mileage was 63,343.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770039October 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762857September 8, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-MAX. 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 vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was associated with a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721963March 4, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rear-view camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, preventing the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The message "Rear-view Camera not Available" was displayed on the screen. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718757February 18, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
See attached document for complaint. RE: NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 25V695 To whom it may concern, In August 2025 we took our 2016 CMAX into the Ford Dealer we purchased it from to have the check out the back-up camera that was not working and have a service done. They charges us $225.00 to check it out and then wanted to service it for several hundred dollars more. There was no mention at that time about a recall, and after re-reading the bulletin you sent out, that did not come until October. The online status was that any repairs were not to begin until June 2026. Both of us are seniors and being concerned of the safety issues with the camera, we looked for the best price to repair/replace the camera and found a company, G&O Body in Placerville that did the repair for $618.25 In November.. So, at this point, we are out of pocket $843.25 to fix an issue that was put under free repair thru the recall. I would like to know how to apply for reimbursement for this camera replacement cost.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714259January 29, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera failed to display an image as intended on the center digital screen. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677337July 30, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera image appeared upside down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670543July 1, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while charging the hybrid battery, the battery stopped charging after 15-16 minutes. The contact stated that the battery could only be charged for 15-16 minutes at a time. The contact stated that there was a red triangle warning light illuminated on the charger but there was no warning light illuminated on the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the mileage range of the vehicle per charge was decreasing continuously. The vehicle was taken to dealer several times to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Gator Ford (11780 Tampa Gateway Blvd, Seffner, FL 33584), where it was diagnosed that the hybrid battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643456February 18, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2016 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that while coming to a stop in a parking lot attempting to obtain mail from a mailbox; the vehicle independently accelerated and it was unknown what gear the vehicle was stationed in. In addition, it was unknown if the brake pedal was depressed or the gear the vehicle was in at the time of the failure. The vehicle had struck and knocked 3 mailboxes down and crashed into the front passenger side corner panel of a Mail Van coming to a stop as it was revving. The vehicle traveled 26 feet from its original stationed position. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. Both front wheels were severely bent outwards after the crash. The air bags did not deploy. The mail delivery employee sought medical attention for cuts and bruises. The contact did not seek medical attention or sustained any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot by AAA where it was later taken by the insurance provider for further investigation. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,530.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11638212January 24, 2025
STEERING
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed, and the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer has not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 37,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634947January 8, 2025
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, prompting her to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transmission had previously been replaced 3 years prior. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11601224July 11, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the contact attempted to honk at another vehicle, but the horn failed to respond while depressed. The contact stated that the horn occasionally responded while depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was repaired temporarily with electrical gel on a fuse. The contact attempted to check the fuse, but the fuse box cover was difficult to remove. The failure reoccurred after several months but the electrical gel failed to repair the vehicle. In addition, the horn failed to respond while depressed. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11583321April 16, 2024
BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while in reverse (R) and backing up at 3 MPH the back-over prevention camera failed and displayed a black screen. The contact stated that when the back-over prevention camera failed to operate, the radio and the GPS became inoperable. The contact stated that the back over prevention screen occasionally turned blue or showed a distorted image. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but occurred several times. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that she was advised by the dealer that the software update was not a certain remedy. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred and that the back-over prevention camera became inoperable. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,295.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556335November 21, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The backup camera doesn't regularly function, ranging from 15% to 75% of the time. A tire man with prior experience in a Ford dealership recommended checking for an electronics update to the system. There may be a worsening functionality when the weather is wet, but that's not a clear correlation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547715October 2, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Was driving it to a shop to do a transmission fluid exchange and got a big Stop Safely Now warning on the dash with an AdvanceTrac warning as well. Car stopped dead on a freeway off ramp - was very fortunate to get an immediate SoCal Freeway Service tow off the ramp in Los Angeles to a safe place, and after AAA told me I might wait 4 hours for a tow to my preferred Ford dealer, I got the car restarted and got it to a another dealer a couple miles away. Inspection showed a P0B37 error code with chafing of the high voltage battery harness. The dealer originally quoted me $1200 to fix it, but when I mentioned the California 10/150 hybrid powertrain warranty, they subsequently found TSB 17-0015 which deals with this exact issue on the 2013-16 Energi, and I've now read a report of the same issue on a 2017. The TSB quotes 1.8 hours labor with chafing and installation of heat shrink tubing, tie strap, and electrical tape... where the dealer came up with $1200 is beyond me. Obviously I'm pleased with the fact Ford is covering this one, but hope it doesn't happen to you... I had about 30 seconds to get the car to a safe place before it stopped entirely, and if I'd been in heavier traffic the vehicle would have stopped dead on a very busy expressway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11545522September 19, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have a 2016 Ford C-Max. On Saturday, 9-16-2023 my wife and I were traveling on Highway 69 in Prescott AZ. We turned off the highway and about 50 yards from Hwy 69 a STOP SAFELY NOW flashed on the instrument pannel. The car IMMEDIATELY braked hard and stopped. I had no time to pull over. Had it been 50 yards sooner I would have abruptly stopped on Hwy 69. The Hwy was traveling at 55 MPH. You figure it out, we were going to have an accident 100%. The C-Max was towed to Sun Valley Tire, a AAA approved repair shop in Prescott Valley. They pulled up the Ford, Technical Service Bulletin - TSB 17-0015. That bulletin describes wiring that chafes and shorts out the car. Exactly what happened to us. The actual fix is simple, locate the shorted out wire and repair it. To get to it requires disassembling most of the car. Total cost $438.01. That is not the point, Ford knew that this problem existed, sent out a TSB and is allowing Ford owners like me to have a life threatening incident. WHY has Ford been allowed to continue allow these C-Max's to stay on the road without a fix! Are you doing your jobs? I want the NHTSA to do its job. I also want to be reimbursed. Who do I contact. You have my VIN # and therefore all my information.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523744May 24, 2023
WHEELS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11504562January 30, 2023
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
blue images on the rearview camera when trying to reverse. No accidents have happened from the blue-screen problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476269July 28, 2022
WHEELS:HUB
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11472511July 6, 2022
EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ACCESSORY
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the charging cord overheated and became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V592000 (Equipment). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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