The Lemon Index
20171st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 6,683 in the U.S. in 2018 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 40 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 22V413000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Ford sent dealers 61 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Volume control”?
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 5 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 →
In owners' words
Steering at highway speeds is unsafe as vehicle wanders within lane purportedly due to electric-assist power steering. Speeds above 40mph, vehicle requires excessive steering input to stay within lane.
2018 Ford C-Max owner · NHTSA complaint 11140092
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 2018 is the same generation.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 61 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Volume control
- Water stained headliner after the vehicle has
- Fuel door opening delay longer than 15 sec or unable
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
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 Hybrid 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,500 (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. 2018 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 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-c-max/?y=2018" 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/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Ford C-Max reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Ford C-Max reliable?
We can't score it: only 6,683 were sold in the U.S. in 2018 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2018 Ford C-Max problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (20%), suspension (20%) and wipers & visibility (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford C-Max have?
1 safety recall (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford C-Max get?
40 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 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 2018 Ford C-Max have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Ford C-Max cost in fuel a year?
About $1,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Ford C-Max have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Ford C-Max year is better than the 2018?
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