The Lemon Index
201420161st generation
Better than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 38–39 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V695000 (back over prevention), 22V413000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 20V331000 (latches/locks/linkages) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 98 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Certain 2015 c-max vehicles produced on or before oct”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 13 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 38K miles (8K to 61K km) on the car (11 of all 13 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 8.4M views · 2013–2018 Ford C-Max
- Infotainment, battery & electrical420K views
How to replace 12V battery in Ford C-Max Energi 2013-2016Chris P · 185K views · 7 videos - Oil changes & service321K views
How to reset "ENGINE MALFUNCTION SERVICE NOW" warning message on 2013 Ford Auto C-Max 2L TDCi DiesalMera channel · 174K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door276K views
Ford C-Max Cabin Air Filter Replacement ( 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 )Undercar Experts · 151K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition74K views
2015 Ford C-Max Hybrid Energy Plug-in Won't Start Lots of SurprisesAK Auto Repair Автоэлектрик Диагност · 74K views
Show 2 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring42K views
2017 Ford Grand CMax service light resetDIYDaly · 42K views - Cooling system4K views
How to Add Coolant in a Ford C-Max (2013–2018)Clay Auto · 3K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2016 Ford C-MAX vs Grand C-MAX new Facelift MPV FULL REVIEW test driven - AutogefühlAutogefühl · 315K views
2016 Ford C-MAX Hybrid - Review and Road TestKelley Blue Book · 214K views
Ford C-Max 2015 review | TELEGRAPH CARSTelegraph Cars · 212K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2015 is the same generation.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 98 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Certain 2015 c-max vehicles produced on or before oct
- Clock fails to be set unless front control display interface module fcdim) has date set first…
- Some 2015-2016 f-150, c-max, edge, mks, taurus, and flex and 2016 expedition, explorer,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2020
These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly.
Show all 6 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2018
Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the ho…
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2016
A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
- Electrical · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
- ClosedDoor latch failure2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford CMAX Energi 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,550–$1,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Ford C-Max year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Ford C-Max years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-c-max/?y=2015" title="Ford C-Max reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-c-max/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 Ford C-Max reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2015 Ford C-Max reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 55; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2015 Ford C-Max problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (31%), electrical (23%) and steering (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford C-Max have?
6 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Ford C-Max get?
38 to 39 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 Ford C-Max safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2015 Ford C-Max have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 31% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 Ford C-Max cost in fuel a year?
About $1,550 to $1,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Ford C-Max have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Ford C-Max year than the 2015?
Not nearby: the 2015 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Ford C-Max years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works