2015 Ford C-MAX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
42,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 52 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 15.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 11.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.8% |
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 | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Back Over Prevention | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Electrical System: 8; Power Train: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Steering: 6; Air Bags: 5; Back Over Prevention: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Service Brakes: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 26 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 4; 2019: 7; 2020: 6; 2021: 6; 2022: 7; 2023: 3; 2024: 6; 2025: 6; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 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 11206114 · 2019-05-07 (May 7, 2019)
AT APPROXIMATELY 46,000 MILES I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY IN THE RAIN AND FELT THE STEERING WAS A LITTLE "JERKY" I THOUGHT IT WAS THE WET ROAD CONDITION AND WIND. A FEW MINUTES LATER AN ALERT POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING STEERING FAILURE AND TO PULL OFF ROAD SAFELY. I WASN'T FAR FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE, I WAS INFORMED THAT IS WAS THE RACK AND PINION. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME OVER 3,000.00 TO REPLACE. AFTER CONSULTING WITH MY RETIRED MECHANIC BROTHER AND ANOTHER MECHANIC FRIEND, …
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11206114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11206788 · 2019-05-10 (May 10, 2019)
WHEN STARTING THE CAR ONE DAY, I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT THERE WAS A POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILURE - STEERING WAS MANUAL AND VERY HEAVY. NO CODES PRESENT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY. IT CAME BACK AGAIN ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING AND WENT AWAY AGAIN. THE POWER ASSIST SEEMS TO BE WORKING BUT IS "STICKY" AND THE WHEEL STAYS LOCKED AT FIRST WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING GEAR FAILED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT $2300+. THE CAR HAS ONLY 45000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULTY PART.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11206788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11031986 · 2017-10-06 (October 6, 2017)
VEHICLE IS NOT HOLDING EV NOW/LATER MODES CAUSING UNEXPECTED BATTERY USAGE AND FUEL CONSUMPTION. AN EXAMPLE IS TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70-75 MPH); VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY SWITCH INTO AUTO MODE AND REVERT FROM GAS/HYBRID PERFORMANCE TO ELECTRIC/BATTERY ONLY PERFORMANCE WHICH IS REDUCED POWER AND RESPONSE AGAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE AS I HAVE FOUND THIS TO HAPPEN BEFORE I ENTER THE HIGHWAY AND CAN ADJUST MY DRIVE ACCORDINGLY. ADDITIONALLY, THIS HAPPENS IN EV NOW MODE WHICH HOLDS THE ELECTRIC ENGINE TO PREVENT GAS USE…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,173 miles reported. Look up ODI 11031986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361725 · 2020-09-29 (September 29, 2020)
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 DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *BF*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10954093 · 2017-02-12 (February 12, 2017)
1. ON TAKING A TRIP FROM PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL TO INDIANAPOLIS, IN THIS CMAX WAS PARKED & LOCKED IN THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 9 AM CST 2. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM EST A TELEPHONE CALL WAS RECEIVED FROM THE AIRPORT POLICE INFORMING ME THAT THE CMAX WAS IN THE PARKING LOT RUNNING WITH THE LIGHTS ON AND I WAS ASKED TO GO TO THE PARKING LOT AND TURN THE AUTOMOBILE OFF. AFTER I INFORMED THE OFFICER THAT I WAS IN INDIANA AND COULD NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUEST, I PROCEEDED TO MAKE NUMEROUS TELEPHONE CALLS; FORD MOTOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10954093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11489262 · 2022-10-14 (October 14, 2022)
Outside brake lights stayed on after car was turned off. I see recalls on other 2015 Ford models for the same issue but mine is not on the list and I have to pay $748 for the repair.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11489262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11538439 · 2023-08-14 (August 14, 2023)
A low rumbling noise seemingly situated at the right front (passenger) tire started with no warning approximately two months prior; no warning lights came on, the car did not change its driving--only a low rumbling noise which increased in revolutions with acceleration and quietened with braking and when in neutral--emerged. I subsequently took the car to a local mechanic to evaluate if the brakes were failing but in his diagnosis, he thought the likely cause to be internal to the transmission--a finding now confirmed by two other mechanics, in…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11538439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11257220 · 2019-09-22 (September 22, 2019)
THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING STALL AT THE GROCERY STORE AS WE PULLED OUT A MESSAGE CAME UP POWER STEERING FAILURE SERVICE NOW
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11257220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11407258 · 2021-04-09 (April 9, 2021)
THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS FAILED FIVE TIMES AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THIS SENSOR FAILED IT RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE THE CAR WAS ON THE ROAD AND IN TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRASHES AND INJURY.
Owner-reported narrative. 49,677 miles reported. Look up ODI 11407258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534766 · 2023-07-27 (July 27, 2023)
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that upon shifting to park, the vehicle accelerated forward unintendedly. The vehicle ran over the curb and crashed into the handicap sign. The fuel tank detached during the crash. There were no warning lights illuminated. The fire department was on the scene. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire, air bag deployment, or injury. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11534766 at NHTSA ↗