VehicleVerdict

2015 Ford C-Max problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2015 Ford C-Max sits mid-pack among C-Max years: 60 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 50, with 6 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (9), other (9), and transmission (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

60

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other C-Max years?

C-Max NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted231 complaints2013: 231 complaints2014: 104 complaints2015: 60 complaints2016: 40 complaints2017: 26 complaints2018: 12 complaints
C-Max NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C-Max years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Ford C-Max problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission915%
Electrical System915%
Other915%
Steering610%
Airbags58%
Driver Assistance47%
Fuel System47%
Brakes35%
Engine35%
Body & Structure23%
Speed Control23%
Seats12%
Lighting12%
Seat Belts12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2015 Ford C-Max have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V695000Driver AssistanceOctober 13, 2025 · 1,448,655 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence

A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

22V413000TransmissionJune 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

20V331000Latches & LocksJune 8, 2020 · 2,147,323 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

18V592000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2018 · 49,197 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.

16V643000Latches & LocksSeptember 6, 2016 · 2,046,297 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

15V436000Electrical SystemJuly 8, 2015 · 374,781 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C06.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD C-MAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN NON-ECO MODE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ORIGIN LOCATED AT 6400 N 51ST AVE, GLENDALE, AZ 85301, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 1, 2019 · crash

The rear drivers side door opened unexpectedly going around a turn and did not re-latch after it was closed. The door opened and slammed closed going around a turn and injured my son sitting in the back seat. The child locks on the door were still engaged during the incident and after. This is the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 23, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD C-MAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN NON-ECO MODE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ORIGIN LOCATED AT 6400 N 51ST AVE, GLENDALE, AZ 85301, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2019 · crash

I was driving on the freeway when my power steering failed. Ford has switched to an Electronic Steering Control system and it has had multiple class action suits against them, however no recalls have been done. I nearly ran off the road because when I turned off the freeway it took all of my…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 5, 2022

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. I WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE IMPACT WAS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. MY VEHICLE WAS SPUN AROUND 45 DEGREES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND I WAS TOSSED AROUND IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY SEAT BELT ON. THE CARS COMPUTER DETECTED AN IMPACT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 15, 2015 · crash

2015 Ford C-Max — common questions

Is the 2015 Ford C-Max reliable?

It is close to typical for the C-Max: 60 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2015 C-Max problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (9 complaints), other (9 complaints), transmission (9 complaints).

Does the 2015 Ford C-Max have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Ford C-Max. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Ford C-Max under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford C-Max years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C-Max years to avoid are 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among C-Max years belongs to 2018.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.