CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2014 Ford C-MAX Energi

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

30

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2014 Ford C-MAX Energi have filed 30 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2014 and July 2025. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 16 of them (53%). The typical failure was reported at 32,000 miles, the median across the 19 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

No recall campaign was matched to this year, make and model. That is not the same as a clean vehicle: recalls are issued against production ranges, and the only reliable check is your own VIN.

Defect investigations (3)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

Door Latch Failures

RQ19005

Closed recall query · opened December 19, 2019 · closed February 7, 2022 · led to recall 20V177000

the latches, locks and linkages, the body structure

In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Some VOQs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other VOQs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? condition, however in certain somewhat rare circumstances, may result in the door coming open while driving. In response to ODI?s investigation, Ford has announced three field actions, as discussed below.On March 23, 2020, Ford submitted Safety Recall 20V-177 (Ford 20S15), a regional recall campaign to address door latch failures in vehicles not previously recalled under Safety Recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 and 17V-210. The recall affects vehicles currently or ever registered in certain high ambient temperature states (see 20V-177 for affected states). As a remedy, Ford will replace all four door latches free of charge.On August 24, 2020, Ford issued a non-safety regional field action (Ford 20R01) to address door latch failures on the same model/MY vehicles not covered under 20V-177 (i.e., not currently/ever registered in affected states). According to Ford, spring tab failure rates for vehicles covered by this action are about half that of the 20V-177 vehicles. Under this action, dealers will replace all door latches, free of charge, if either; a) the vehicle exhibits a related latch concern, or b) if the vehicle owner expresses a concern about the latches in their vehicles. Details can be found under NHTSA TSB No. 10190990, a copy of which is available in this investigative file available at NHTSA.gov.On June 8, 2020, Ford submitted Safety Recall 20V-331 (Ford 20S30) addressing vehicles previously remedied under NHTSA Recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 and 17V-210, where the repair may not have been properly completed, specifically not all of the door latches were replaced, or replaced correctly. This recall involves an inspection of the latches, with the option for a consumer self-inspection; owners could view the date codes on their latches (and confirm child safety locks are present on the rear doors) and then submit the information to Ford?s mobile app or website. A dealership inspection option was also available. Any vehicle found to have unreplaced defective latches requires the replacement of all door latches as directed by Ford.Regarding the 4,494 reports cited above, 1,485 involve scope-related failures (with 13% alleging door opening), and the remaining 3,009 reports involving remedy concerns (with 18% alleging door opening - note ODI was unable to verify the allegations of door opening). The three ODI injuries were all relatively minor. Ford?s reported injury incidences include one (unconfirmed) report of an ejection, three minor injuries with the others involving undisclosed injuries. Ford?s crashes involved two (unconfirmed) crashes alleging the incident door contacted another vehicle and three involving doors striking other property.The recalled vehicles include MY 2011-2015 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2012-2015 Ford Focus and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect.Ford's actions address ODI's concerns at this time. ODI will take further action if warranted by new information. The reference (OD

Door Latch Failure

PE16001

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened January 16, 2016 · closed October 29, 2016 · led to recall 16V643000

the latches, locks and linkages

In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus vehicles (subject vehicles).ODI has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.One consumer alleged an injury that occurred while driving when a door inadvertently opened and then closed on a child's arm.Another alleged that a door that inadvertently opened struck a parked vehicle.In response to ODI's information request, Ford Motor Company (Ford) provided 500 unique reports related to the alleged problem on the subject vehicles.Ford reported no injury or accident claims.Ford also submitted 1,513 warranty claims related to door latch failures.Many customers indicated that the affected door could not be latched at all and some of them decided to restrain the door by other means in order to operate the vehicle.Some customers also reported door latch failures occurring on multiple doors and at different times.Additionally, Ford stated that MY 2014-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape, 2013-2015 Ford C-Max, 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect, 2015 Ford Mustang, and 2015 Lincoln MKC, all use the same door latch as the 2012-2013 Ford Focus.On September 6, 2016, Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (16V-643) to remedy the door latches in the MY 2012-2015 Ford Focus and other Ford models mentioned above (total of approximately 2 million vehicles).According to Ford, a component within the door latch may break preventing the door from latching.Ford dealers will replace all four door latches in the recalled vehicles with a new more robust latch design that is currently in production.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 30.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16 53%
POWER TRAIN 4 13%
STRUCTURE 4 13%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 10%
ENGINE 2 7%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 2 7%
STEERING 2 7%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 3%
EQUIPMENT 1 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 7.

2014 2017 2025
2014 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLUGGED IN AND RECHARGING IN THE GARAGE. TWO HOURS LATER, AN EXTENSIVE FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE CHARGE CORD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE DEALER TESTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE CHARGE CORD OVERHEATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT A TECHNICIAN, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER. THE COSMETIC DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint 10894712. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

towed · 52,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD C-MAX ENERGI HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RODS AND PISTONS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. .....UPDATED 10/13/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPLACED OR REPURCHASED. UPDATED 09/20/2017*JS

NHTSA complaint 10906166. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

110,700 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. Several unknown messages were displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the contact stated that two computer modules were replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V442000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer

NHTSA complaint 11675104, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle was idling rough. The check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed a transmission failure to the contact. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint 11518212. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DOOR

92,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-MAX Energi. The contact stated the front driver’s seat power seat was stuck in the reclined position. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be repaired. The vehicle was returned, and the contact became aware that the rear driver’s side door panel was loose, causing the door to not open properly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who diagnosed that the door panel was damaged and need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA complaint 11440251. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2014 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE CHARGING CORD FOR VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS *JS

NHTSA complaint 11290553. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS

43,601 miles

MY DAUGHTER DROVE THE 2014 FORD C MAX TO PICK UP MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER AND HAD A BLOWOUT WITH HER TIRE ON JUNE 26, 2019. SHE HEARD THE FRONT TIRE POPPED AND HAD TO MERGE FROM THE LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE SIDEWALL HAD A HOLE AND WASN'T ABLE TO FIX SO HAD TO CALL THE TOW TRUCK. THIS OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY 4 WHICH DIDN'T HAVE ANY ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND SHE DIDN'T RUN OVER ANYTHING. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE TIRES. THE MILEAGE IS 43600 AND THE TREADS ARE STILL GOOD. I'VE REPLACED TWO TIRES SINCE EVEN TREADS NEED TO BE PAIRED UP. TWO NEW TIRES IN THE FRONT AND THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE REAR. I'VE KEPT THE THIRD TIRE FOR FUTURE USE. HEARING THE WHOLE FACT FROM MY DAUGHTER AM

NHTSA complaint 11228770, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EQUIPMENT

23,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V592000 (EQUIPMENT). THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT ED BUTTS FORD (1515 N HACIENDA BLVD, LA PUENTE, CA 91744, (800) 960-3673), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO GET AN "AS" CORD; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC INSTALLED AN "AH" CORD INSTEAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA complaint 11197209. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford C-MAX Energi

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2017 10 0
2016 32 0
2015 15 0
2013 50 1

Other 2014 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst