10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,950 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Ford C-Max:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #14

Dec 162022

C-Max

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that the rear liftgate was opening independently. The contact stated that upon investigating the failure, he noticed that the failure was related to the original key fob of the vehicle. The contact stated that the key fob button that engaged the liftgate was two times press button; however, the key fob would engage the liftgate unintendedly when the key fob button was in contact with any object or surface. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned that the failure could occur while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #13

Jun 092022

C-Max

  • miles
Ever since we brought the car to a Ford dealership for a recall on the back door latch we have had issues with the battery. We have to jump start it every day.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

problem #12

Nov 112021

C-Max 4-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle was entered while parked and locked with the security system active. A panel was removed from the lower left side of the housing beneath the steering wheel. All four windows had been lowered to the maximum extent possible, apparently without breaking them. Debris was strewn across front and rear seats. Spare floor mats stored in the trunk/hatch area (normally out of view due to a cover over the hatch and the rear seat backs) were deposited on the rear seat. Consumer would like to withdrawal the complaint, stated consumer's fault.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #11

Aug 262020

C-Max

  • 99,606 miles
Warning light with an engine and wrench appeared for 24 hours. Wrench disappeared and then the engine. Dealer insisted the car fixed it self and later claimed their tester show no problem. Dealer was using a generic tester which is not designed for high voltage battery system. 'hybrid/ev battery balancing circuit stuck' reflected on a personal newer model engine tester. This battery is warranted for 100,000 miles. Dealer not using the correct type of engine tester based on the type of battery.

- Montebello, CA, USA

problem #10

Jul 012020

C-Max

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-max. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle loss motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was restarted. The failure recurred five times. The contact took the vehicle to sunbury motors Ford (945 N 4th St, sunbury, pa 17801) and an appointment was made to have the vehicle repaired which was still pending. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

- Danville, PA, USA

problem #9

May 152020

C-Max 4-cyl

  • miles
The battery does not charge up more than 15 miles, if I am lucky. Unacceptable.

- Montebello, CA, USA

problem #8

Nov 262019

C-Max 4-cyl

  • 49,500 miles
On November 26, 2019, pressed the "start engine" button. Dashboard flashed with check-engine, service wrench, and "stop safely now" indicators; car energized but would not engage in drive mode. Attempted to turn the car off but it would not. Fan motor began blowing although never selected. After several minutes, was able to turn car off. After several more minutes I was able to start the car and get home (approx. 2 miles). Could not get car to start for several days. Managed to get car started and bring to repair facility (carmax); they could not get started and had car towed to felix sabates Ford dealership. After about a week they indicated they reprogrammed battery modules and fixed problem; they returned car to repair facility. Went to pick up and exact same sequence occurred; car would energize but could not engage in drive mode and I could not turn off (12/10). Car was towed back to Ford dealer; 2 weeks later car was "fixed" and returned to carmax 12/23/19. Carmax could not start car. See NHTSA issue 11016422,10846313, 10783553,10633639 with similar issues. What happens to me when I'm on the interstate a 70mph and the car shuts off?

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #7

May 012018

C-Max

  • 370,000 miles
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.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #6

May 222018

C-Max

  • miles
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

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 142019

C-Max

  • miles
The Ford C max comes with the sync system that controls all of the console systems (radio, backup camera, heat/cold, phone, navigation, and usb ports). In the vehicle, the sync system has quit working on multiple occasions while the vehicle is being operated on both city streets and highways. This causes a distraction, and effort by the driver to remedy. Additionally, the sync causes the backup camera to go in and out, thus causing a backup hazard. The issue has been brought to Ford's service center multiple times, and the vehicle has been in the Ford repair shop multiple times, at least four (4) and the issue has not been repaired. The last two times that have replaced major components to remedy the situation, but it has not.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 152017

C-Max

  • 35,000 miles
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.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #3

Oct 042017

C-Max

  • 78,000 miles
Wrench light came on meaning contact dealer asap about powertrain issue. I had noticed a few days earlier it seemed to not be switching between electric and engine as well or smoothly when driving. When stationary, the display screen for radio would not come on when getting into the car. Instead it gives message "turning off to conserve battery." Car has been well maintained and is at 78000 miles. Took to dealer. Cannot find issue. Codes it is throwing are for battery but they both test good. They reset codes and we went to pick it up. Now key fobs won't work unless the car is turned on. Alarm button on the fob makes the car sound like a fluttering noise, but no real alarm. The dealer is going to keep it more and check it out more. Still has the message about conserving battery on the screen. They hadn't found what caused the battery codes and now more things aren't working.

- Ringgold, GA, USA

problem #2

Feb 252015

C-Max 4-cyl

  • 100 miles
The compass on the left side of the dashboard next to the speedometer indicates inaccurate perpendicular directions while indicating the correct direction of progress. For example, when the car is progressing North the top of the dial indicates "N" for North correctly. But the marking on the right side which should indicate "E" for East instead indicates "w" for West while the marking on the opposite side also inaccurately indicates the opposite direction. When progressing West, South or East the same reversal of the perpendicular directions occurs. This has not caused an accident for me since I am aware of it. But it has obvious potential to confuse at the least and misguide at worst when one is using the compass while also consulting written directions. It would also be impossible to coordinate the compass with a gps Navigator.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #1

Jul 062014

C-Max 4-cyl

  • 2,100 miles
1st incident the vehicle completely died while I was doing 50mph down a 5 lane road. All electrical went out while I was driving. Lost my power steering and braking was extremely difficult. Had to have the vehicle towed as it would not re-start. 2nd time about two weeks after getting the car "fixed" the vehicle died while I was driving on I75 with same scenario. I was able to pull over on shoulder and had to have the vehicle towed in. 3rd time after getting the "fixed" vehicle back the radio went out, then the clock went wacky, the check engine light came on and when off. Then while running errands the car simply did not restart. No power to the dash, locks, etc. Had to have it towed in. Took the vehicle back again and the 4th time after driving an 1 1/2 hours to work the vehicle would not restart without being jump started. I had it towed to the dealer again and they cannot find anything wrong with it and I am being forced to take back a brand new 2014 Ford cmax energi with 4400 miles on it that keeps dying every week. I do not feel safe nor do I want the vehicle any longer. Ford has not yet sent any special assistance to the dealer to help rectify the problem.

- White Lake, MI, USA