2018 Ford C-MAX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
11,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 30.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Air Bags: 2; Electrical System: 2; Steering: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Suspension: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11140092 · 2018-10-13 (October 13, 2018)
STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS UNSAFE AS VEHICLE WANDERS WITHIN LANE PURPORTEDLY DUE TO ELECTRIC-ASSIST POWER STEERING. SPEEDS ABOVE 40MPH, VEHICLE REQUIRES EXCESSIVE STEERING INPUT TO STAY WITHIN LANE.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11204914 · 2019-05-01 (May 1, 2019)
2018 TITANIUM FORD C-MAX WITH RATTLING/CLUNKING NOISE EMANATING FROM VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE. VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW NOW HAS FAILING STRUT BRACES (WHICH ALSO FAILED ON OUR NEW 2017 C-MAX). BRACES ARE FAILING APPROXIMATELY EVERY 10,000 MILES AMONGST OUR TWO VEHICLES.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11204914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11308496 · 2020-02-11 (February 11, 2020)
THE RIGHT-HAND OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR CONTAINS A SMALL INSET MIRROR INTENDED TO PROVIDE A DIFFERENT ANGLE OF VIEW SO AS TO GIVE THE DRIVER VISIBILITY OF VEHICLES ALONGSIDE OR IN THE "BLIND SPOT." IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MOUNTED AT AN ANGLE RELATIVE TO THE PLANE OF THE MAIN MIRROR SIMILAR TO THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR, BUT ON MY CAR IT IS MOUNTED IN THE SAME PLANE AS THE MAIN MIRROR SO THE VIEWS ARE IDENTICAL. FORD DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER SAYS IT'S CORRECT, BUT EVERY OTHER FORD VEHICLE I HAVE SEEN HAS AN BLIND SIDE MIRROR THAT IS ANGLED. FORD'S CUSTO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11308496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11309434 · 2020-02-15 (February 15, 2020)
ELECTRICAL GREMLINS SINCE THE FIRST DAY. TOUCHSCREEN WENT ON AND OFF, PHONE DIDN'T CHARGE, DOOR HANDLES DON'T WORK, GARAGE DOOR OPENER FORGOT SETTINGS, PRESETS ON DASH WOULD BLINK OUT OF MEMORY. ULTIMATELY THE CAR DIDN'T EVEN START. BUT FOR ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS, SOMETIMES THEY WOULD WORK, SOMETIMES THEY WOULDN'T. ULTIMATELY GOT THE YELLOW WRENCH OF DEATH. BROUGHT IT IN REPEATEDLY AND THEY COULD NEVER REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, UNTIL THE DAY IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL AND THE WRENCH WAS ON THE DASH. FINALLY DIAGNOSED OPEN SEAMS ON THE BACK HINGES T…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427457 · 2021-08-02 (August 2, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford C-MAX. The contact stated that the seat belt failed. The contact stated that while the driver’s side rear seat belt was fastened to the car seat, the seat belt tightened up independently on her grandchild’s chest. The contact’s grandchild was unable to breathe properly. The contact was unable to unfasten the seat from the clip. The contact had to cut the seat belt to be able to release the seat belt from her grandchild’s chest. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The contact was informed that the se…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11427457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11484528 · 2022-09-14 (September 14, 2022)
Recently, there has been a whiff of gasoline around my garage but there is more than one vehicle in there so I didn't figure out what the culprit was for a while. After completely filling up my car 9/3/2022, I parked it in the attached garage and in minutes my whole house smelled like gasoline. So I immediately parked it outside and ventilated the house. I took the car to a local shop and they said yes there's a gas odor but they didn't want to touch the repair because it's a hybrid. So all this time later on 9/14/2022, the Ford dealership …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11484528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11510405 · 2023-03-06 (March 6, 2023)
Steering locks to the point that it can't turn. Happened while driving. Unknown cause. Warning light came on for driver to park. Issue unresolved and can no longer drive car.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11510405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539404 · 2023-08-18 (August 18, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford C-MAX Hybrid. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop at a red light, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality; however, the failure had since become a regular failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539404 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V413000 · Power Train:Shift Linkage/Cable/Rod | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 2022-06-10 (June 10, 2022)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
NHTSA campaign record ↗