What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2014 Ford C-MAX

Typical pattern

4.8% of complaints about the 2014 Ford C-MAX came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2014 vehicle — around the middle of the 195 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (20 complaints), typically at 6.9 yr or about 78,000 miles.

Complaints
105
Median age at failure
7.3 yr
Median mileage
53,000 n=53
Crash / fire / tow
15.2% of reports
Safety recalls
8 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
20 reports · 78,000 mi
6.9 yr
25%
Other
19 reports · 40,200 mi
8.2 yr
10.5%
Power train
18 reports · 84,000 mi
7.3 yr
22.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14V514000 2014-08-22 Do not drive
Steering

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Focus and C-Max vehicles manufactured August 8, 2014, to August 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.

The incorrectly manufactured steering gears may cause impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

22V413000 2022-06-10
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

20V331000 2020-06-08
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. 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. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

18V592000 2018-09-10
Equipment:electrical

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. 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 house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.

An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.

16V643000 2016-09-06
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. 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.

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

14V597000 2014-09-26
Air bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.

The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

14V237000 2014-05-07
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.

If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.

14V164000 2014-04-02
Seats:front assembly:recliner

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Ve

The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 35,000 mi 4.3 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD C-MAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLUG TO CHARGE THE VEHICLE WAS MELTING AND CAUSED THE POWER OUTLET IN THE HOUSE TO MELT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO CHARGE AND WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE AT TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED SARAHSOTA FORD AT 888-349-4989 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS DUE TO USER ERROR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Electrical system mileage not reported 4.7 yr in service crash / fire / tow
FORD RECALLED THE CMAX CHARGING CORD (ELECTRIC) ON AUGUST 2ND, 2018. THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED BECAUSE OF FIRE DANGER. MY CORD SPECIFICALLY MELTED UNDER EXTREME HEAT AND COULD HAVE EASILY CREATED A FIRE IF THE LINE HAD NOT BEEN ON GFI. IT IS NOW 5 MONTHS LATER AND FORD STILL HAS NOT ISSUED REPLACEMENT CORDS FOR THIS RECALL. THE TIMELINE TO REPLACE THESE CORDS MUST BE ACCELERATED, IT'S UNACCEPTABLE TO ALLOW CHARGING CORDS TO BE USED FOR CHARGING THEIR CMAX VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER18S24 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER18V592
Electrical system 370,000 mi 4.7 yr in service
POWER ELECTRICAL HORN CONTINUES TO NOT WORK, WITHIN 3 YEAR OF DRIVING STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND I REATTACHED WIRES TO THE HORN ONCE AND WITHIN 1 MONTH THEY STOPPED WORKING AGAIN.
Power train 83,750 mi 4.0 yr in service
TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD WHINING SOUND WHEN WARMING UP AND IN GAS MODE. IT IS DIAGNOSED BY TECHNICIAN AS POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION BEARINGS, BUT WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL THEY DIS ASSEMBLE. QUOTED $7500 FOR A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 84,000 MILES. FORD WILL NOT WORK WITH ME ON THE PRICE.

Other C-MAX model years

20142013

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