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U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Ford C-MAX problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

21 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

26,240 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 21 complaints (23.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior314.3%
Electrical and battery issues29.5%
Engine operation14.8%

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.

Unknown Or Other
5
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
2
Electrical System
2
Power Train
2
Service Brakes
2
Visibility/Wiper
2
Air Bags
1
Back Over Prevention
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Unknown Or Other5
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera2
Electrical System2
Power Train2
Service Brakes2
Visibility/Wiper2
Air Bags1
Back Over Prevention1

Unknown Or Other: 5; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 2; Electrical System: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Visibility/Wiper: 2; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 9 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.

2016
1
2017
2
2018
3
2019
3
2020
1
2021
4
2022
3
2023
1
2025
1
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20161
20172
20183
20193
20201
20214
20223
20231
20251
20262

2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 11103849 · 2018-06-25 (June 25, 2018)

MY 2016 FORD C-MAX WITH 10000 MILES HAS BRAKE ISSUES... ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE BRAKES ARE RUSTED AND NEED REPLACED FOR $1000.00. SERIOUSLY, A VEHICLE WITH 10000 MILES HAS BAD BRAKES AND NOT COVERED BY THE FORD WARRANTY..... I HOPE NOTHING HAPPENS WHILE MY WIFE IS DRIVING THE CAR AS SHE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE.....

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11103849 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11421103 · 2021-06-16 (June 16, 2021)

Component Failure The ABS system failed with only 14,500 miles on the odometer. Symptom The brake pedal became soft, Allowing more brake pedal travel than normal. Taken to Ford dealer Symptom described to service Representative and was told after several hrs that the brakes were normal. I told them that the brake pedal was always taut and the current behavior could become a danger to others and myself. It's after I provided my own OBD11 scan report ( Using a BlueDriver scan tool ) that indicated there is an Anti-Lock Brake module Code Failure …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421103 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11111214 · 2018-07-13 (July 13, 2018)

INTERMITTENT INABILITY TO CONTROL SPEED. FINALLY GOT AN ERROR CODE OF P2112 (THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM) WHILE IN MOTION AND VIBRATION BECAUSE THE BATTERY DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY

Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111214 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11447580 · 2022-01-15 (January 15, 2022)

I was driving slowly leaving a supermarket parking lot. There was no one else around. There was a sudden loud bang, the car lurched upward and to the right, coming to rest over a curb hanging down a ditch. The front end started to smoke and then caught fire. The car was a total loss. There had been no impact. I was able to escape down the ditch with the help of police and the fire department put out the fire. The first 2 pictures are on the scene; the remainder in the tow lot. Friends have suggested that perhaps the hybrid battery exploded.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11447580 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11288676 · 2019-12-12 (December 12, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH DOWNHILL, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT CRUISED DOWN A HILL INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORMULA FORD INC (LOCATED AT 265 RIVER ST, MONTPELLIER, VT 05601, [phone removed]) WHO STATED THAT THE SOBD MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING APPROVAL ON THE PART FOR THE R…

Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11288676 at NHTSA ↗