2014 Ford C-MAX ENERGI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
32,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 30 complaints (53.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 20.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 |
Electrical System: 16; Power Train: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Engine: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Steering: 2; Back Over Prevention: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 5; 2017: 7; 2018: 5; 2019: 6; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11012155 · 2017-08-01 (August 1, 2017)
THE PORTABLE CHARGER WALL PLUG MELTED WHILE CHARGING. THE PLASTIC MELTED AND WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. THIS WAS AFTER TWO HOURS OF CHARGING AN EMPTY BATTERY. FORD IS NOT REPLACING IT UNDER WARRANTY, IS IT IS JUST OUTSIDE 3 YEARS.
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11012155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11015188 · 2017-08-14 (August 14, 2017)
120 VOLT CONVENIENCE CHARGING CORD HEATS UP >150 DEGREES F WHILE CHARGING, AS CHECKED BY A DIGITAL THERMOMETER, RESULTING IN BROWNING OF THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET (PICTURE ENCLOSED). OUTLET IS A STANDARD 120VOLT 15AMP GFCI OUTLET WITH NOTHING ELSE CONNECTED. TESTED ON A DIFFERENT OUTLET WITH SIMILAR RESULTS PICTURE ENCLOSED).*DT *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 33,265 miles reported. Look up ODI 11015188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11182029 · 2019-02-22 (February 22, 2019)
THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND BASED ON RESEARCH FORD CLAIMED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR THE 2013 MODEL. FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY FURTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE THEY DID NOT REFUSE TO REPLACE IT COMPLETELY WITHOUT COST.*BF
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11182029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518212 · 2023-04-21 (April 21, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10906166 · 2016-09-13 (September 13, 2016)
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 REQUEST…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10906166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064444 · 2018-01-23 (January 23, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALHAMBRA FORD IN ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE BROUGHT IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11016422 · 2017-08-20 (August 20, 2017)
RECEIVED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" DASH INDICATOR LIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER AND I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP PRIOR TO INTERSECTION. PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN VEHICLE OFF, BUT CAR DID NOT RESPOND OR POWER DOWN. ACCESSORY ITEMS WERE STILL FUNCTIONING IN CAR, BUT UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO SWITCH INTO GEAR AND DRIVE. EVENTUALLY, PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. AFTER 10 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON, BUT STILL UNABLE TO GET THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11016422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11060745 · 2018-01-05 (January 5, 2018)
FORD CERTIFIED THE C-MAX AS BEING TOW-ABLE 4 WHEELS DOWN BEHIND A MOTORHOME. THEIR INSTRUCTIONS STATE THAT THE IGNITION SHOULD "OFF". IN THIS STATE THE BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE ACTIVE (UNPOWERED). THE PROBLEM IS THEY SPORADICALLY BECOME ACTIVE (POWERED) THEN RETURN TO INACTIVE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WITH THIS HAPPENING THERE IS NO WAY TO PROPERLY SET A SUPPLEMENTAL BRAKING UNIT. SOMETIMES YOU ARE OVER BREAKING AND OTHER TIMES NOT BRAKING AT ALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAUSED ME BRAKE LOCKUP THREE TIMES ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHERE I COULD NOT …
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11060745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11153596 · 2018-11-25 (November 25, 2018)
AFTER 3 DAYS SITTING ON MY DRIVEWAY, THIS MORNING I WENT TO START THE CAR AND NOTICED A WARNING ON THE SCREEN "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". I TRIED TO BACK OUT TO THE STREET, BUT THE POWER STEERING REMAINED UN-MANEUVERABLE. ONLINE SEARCH FOUND OUT THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF REPORTS FOR THE VERY SAME ISSUE ON FOCUS, C-MAX, AND FUSION. IT APPEARS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE NOT UNIQUE TO MY CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,992 miles reported. Look up ODI 11153596 at NHTSA ↗