Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 32 safety complaints
about the 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi with the US government. Of those, 5 describe a crash, 4 people were injured and no death is recorded. No recall campaign has been matched to this year, make and model.
The most complained-about system is the electrical system,
named in 13 complaints, 41% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 48,500 miles,
the median across the 22
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers January 2017 to January 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
32 complaints on file
32
Complaints
5
Describe a crash
0
Mention fire
4
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
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.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13 · 41%
13 41%
POWER TRAIN 5 · 16%
5 16%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 4 · 13%
4 13%
ENGINE 3 · 9%
3 9%
STEERING 3 · 9%
3 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 · 9%
3 9%
STRUCTURE 2 · 6%
2 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 · 6%
2 6%
WHEELS 2 · 6%
2 6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 3%
1 3%
EQUIPMENT 1 · 3%
1 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 3%
1 3%
0815
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 32.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2020 at 5.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2016 Ford C-MAX ENERGI, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
5 HB FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
14.7%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Defect investigations
1 on file
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.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
STEERING
3 injured · crash · towed · 15,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED RESPONDING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO RESPOND WAS TO MAKE DRASTIC TURNS THAT WOULD TAKE ME ACROSS 3 LANES OF HIGHWAY AND THEN BACK THE OTHER WAY. I FINALLY GOT THE BRAKE TO SLOW ME DOWN ENOUGH, I PULLED OVER. I HAD HIT ANOTHER CAR AND THE C-MAX WAS TOTALED. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK THE CAR, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DESTROYED IN THE ACCIDENT SO THERE WAS NO WAY TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. SINCE THE CAR WAS TOTALED IN ANOTHER STATE, I DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PHOTOS.
NHTSA complaint 11089206. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1 injured · crash · towed · 25,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S TOW YARD AND DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. *TT *TR
NHTSA complaint 11093645. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
crash · towed · 1,200 miles
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN I WAS TRANSITIONING FROM PAVEMENT TO GRAVEL WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT THAT TRANSITION PERIOD. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I ALMOST HIT THE CAR PARKED IN THE ADJACENT SPOT. I CRANKED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID MISSING THAT CAR. THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB, AND PROCEEDED INTO A TREE. HAD IT NOT HIT A TREE I WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN THE WINDSHIELD OF THE OPPOSITE CAR AS IT WAS A GRADE BELOW FROM MY PARKING SPOT. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED MOVING, A FATAL ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON THE SCREEN AND THE "BRAIN" OF THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I BELIEVE THE BRAIN FAILED. THE …
NHTSA complaint 10968744, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE:BODY
crash · 2,600 miles
PRESSED THE BRAKES TO STOP IN A PARKING LOT, AND THE CAR TOOK OFF AS OBSESSED AND JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A HUGE FLOWER POT,
NHTSA complaint 10946869. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera failed to display an image as intended on the center digital screen. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
NHTSA complaint 11714259. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera image appeared upside down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint 11677337. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while charging the hybrid battery, the battery stopped charging after 15-16 minutes. The contact stated that the battery could only be charged for 15-16 minutes at a time. The contact stated that there was a red triangle warning light illuminated on the charger but there was no warning light illuminated on the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the mileage range of the vehicle per charge was decreasing continuously. The vehicle was taken to dealer several times to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Gator Ford (11780 Tampa Gateway Blvd, …
NHTSA complaint 11670543, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STEERING
37,200 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed, and the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer has not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 37,200.
NHTSA complaint 11638212. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, prompting her to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the transmission had previously been replaced 3 years prior. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 49,000.
NHTSA complaint 11634947. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the contact attempted to honk at another vehicle, but the horn failed to respond while depressed. The contact stated that the horn occasionally responded while depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was repaired temporarily with electrical gel on a fuse. The contact attempted to check the fuse, but the fuse box cover was difficult to remove. The failure reoccurred after several months but the electrical gel failed to repair the vehicle. In addition, the horn failed to respond while depressed. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The …
NHTSA complaint 11601224, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
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. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, no campaign on file for this vehicle.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
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.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst