The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 19,834 in the U.S. in 2016 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 18 complaints in its first 3 years.
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 38–39 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
Only 16 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 17V052000 (body structure) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Ford sent dealers 140 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2018 Fusion Energi plug-in…”?
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 18 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 13K to 36K miles (21K to 58K km) on the car (16 of all 18 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.
In owners' words
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.
2016 Ford C-Max owner · NHTSA complaint 11031781
More owner reports
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 11002468
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 2016 is the same generation.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 140 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2018 Fusion Energi plug-in…
- Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2019 Fusion Energi plug-in…
- 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 3
- 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.
- Body structure · recall issued 2017
The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
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
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. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-c-max/?y=2016" 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/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Ford C-Max reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Ford C-Max reliable?
We can't score it: only 19,834 were sold in the U.S. in 2016 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2016 Ford C-Max problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (28%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and speed control (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford C-Max have?
3 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 2016 Ford C-Max get?
38 to 39 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 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 2016 Ford C-Max have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 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 2016 Ford C-Max have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Ford C-Max year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
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