Home · 2016 Ford Cmax Energi · Complaints

What 46 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Cmax Energi

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (46)Crash / fire / injury (9)Electrical system (15)Backup camera & sensors (6)Transmission & drivetrain (6)Engine (4)Steering (3)Wheels (3)Body & structure (2)Speed control (2)Visibility & wipers (2)Airbags (1)

Newest first · 46 complaints · page 2 of 2

Jun 2, 2021Electrical system

The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that the mobile charger failed and the vehicle was unable to be charged. The contact stated that several different outlets were tried however, the failure persisted. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.

NHTSA ODI 11419314

May 7, 2021Wheels

REAR TIRES REPEATEDLY WEARING OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE A BLOWOUT CAUSING HARM TO MYSELF AND OTHERS

NHTSA ODI 11415510

Dec 1, 2020Electrical system

SEVERAL TIMES NOW THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST, IT WAS DRIVING UPHILL ON THE FREEWAY AND WHEN IT HIT A SMALL BUMP IT WOULD SHUT OFF. I FIGURED IT WAS JUST AT HIGH SPEEDS THAT THIS OCCURRED. RECENTLY, IT WAS JUST DRIVING UP A DRIVEWAY INCLINE AT 5 MPH, AND GOING OVER A SMALL SPEED BUMP TRIGGERED IT TO SHUT OFF. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE SERVICE FIX IT AND THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. IT DOES NOT GO INTO A SAFE MODE, JUST COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING, YOU MUST PRESS THE PUSH-BUTTON START AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER YOU WAIT, PUSH THE BUTTON AGAIN AND IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO CONTINUE DRIVING AS NORMAL. I BELIEVE IT IS A WIRING ISSUE BUT MULTIPLE SERVICE LOCATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE IT. I HAVE PAID HUNDREDS IN LABOR ATTEMPTING TO FIX IT. VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ODI 11377393

Oct 27, 2020Body & structure

THE FRONT SPLASH GUARD KEEP BECOMING LOOSE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED I HAD TO REPLACE THE FIRST ONE. THE FIRST ONE OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREETS.

NHTSA ODI 11366589

Oct 9, 2020

FORD HAS RECALLED MANY CARS/TRUCKS FOR BACKUP CAMERA ISSUES. MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND HAS HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE CAMERA WHICH I HAVE MENTIONED TO THE DEALER. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INCLUDED MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL AS WELL. THE CAMERA SHOWS A DARK SCREEN AND THEN A MESSAGE APPEARS SAYING IT IS NOT AVAILABLE. I'M ATTACHING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WHICH WAS 10/08/2020 & HAPPENED AGAIN NUMEROUS TIMES. I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK PAYING FOR THIS "REPAIR". THANK YOU KINDLY, BARBARA D. JOHNSON

NHTSA ODI 11363573

Sep 23, 2020AirbagsVisibility & wipers

THE PASSENGER-SIDE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD HAS BECOME UNGLUED. A GLASS REPAIR SHOP INFORMED US THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAD DEPLOYS OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. WE NOTICED THE RIGHT BOTTOM CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD LIFTING UP WHEN WE WERE CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE IS BEING TAKEN TO FORD FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION, BUT ALL WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11360814

Sep 7, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

DRIVING ALONG A HIGHWAY HOLDING STEADY SPEED OF 65MPH, THE CAR DISPLAYED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE AND DISABLED THE ACCELERATOR. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WITH THE PUSH OF THE ON/OFF BUTTON, BUT THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE REMAINED ON THE DASHBOARD ANY TIME THE CAR WAS POWERED ON, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. WE CALLED FORD AS WE ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, A TOW TRUCK WOULD HAVE TAKEN APPROX 90 MINUTES, AND I WAS NOT IN A SAFE POSITION, SO I USED A OBDII SCANNER AND APP TO RESET THE FAULT CODES. AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WE HAVE SEEN THIS ERROR IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS; HOWEVER, THE LAST TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO.

NHTSA ODI 11353500

Feb 22, 2020

MY CHARGER ISN'T ALWAYS FULLY CHARGING AT HOME AND WORK. AT HOME MY CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE OUTLET IS DEDICATED TO THE CHARGER. AT THE TOP OF CHARGER I GET THE RED FLASHING LIGHT AND SOMETIMES ON THE BOTTOM AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11310690

Dec 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

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, 802-223-5201) 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 REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI 11288676

Apr 30, 2019Suspension

2017 CMAX CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. STRUT BRACE FAILURE ON ONE SIDE OF VEHICLE AT AROUND 12,000 MILES. THEN THE OTHER SIDE STRUT BRACE FAILED A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER.

NHTSA ODI 11204650

Apr 17, 2019Transmission & drivetrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD C-MAX. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ARRIVED BACK TO WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED AWAY. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A TREE, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AGAIN, STRUCK A TREE, AND CONTINUED ONTO THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SANTA MONICA FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 1230 SANTA MONICA BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90404, (310) 451-1588) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11196937

Feb 23, 2019Electrical system

I WAS GOING TO BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THEN ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WENT HAYWIRE.EVERYTHING TURNED ON( WINDSHIELD WIPERS, RADIO, ALL THE LIGHTS. ETC.) THEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO GO IN REVERSE AND IT WENT FORWARD. THEN I TRIED TURNING THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF, SO I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I THEN MOVED THE STICK SHIFT BACK AND FORTH, PUT IT IN REVERSE AGAIN AND IT WENT A COUPLE OF FEET, THEN WOULDN'T MOVE ANYMORE. ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS REMAINED ON, BUT I COULDN'T TURN THE CAR OFF. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STILL ON.THEY COULDN'T GET IT TURNED OFF EITHER. THEY HAVE IT THERE AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. NOW THEY CAN'T GET IT TURNED ON BECAUSE THE BATTERY DIED.

NHTSA ODI 11182118

Oct 17, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

WHILE I WAS DRIVING & TURNING AROUND A CORNER ON A CITY STREET IN NEWPORT, RI, A SILENT WARNING FLASHED ON THE CAR DASH IN LARGE RED CAPITAL LETTERS, READING: "STOP SAFELY NOW!" BUT THE ENGINE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY - BEFORE I COULD APPLY THE BRAKE - LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. AT THE SAME TIME, A YELLOW "ENGINE" AND "TRACTION CONTROL" ICON APPEARED ON THE DASH. I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED TO START THE ENGINE, BUT NO RESPONSE. CALLED NEWPORT POLICE TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE TRAFFIC LANE. TOGETHER, WITH THE POLICE AND A FRIEND WHO ALSO RESPONDED TO MY CALL FOR HELP, WE GOT THE ENGINE STARTED AND SLOWLY DROVE THE FEW BLOCKS TO MY HOME. THE CAR IS IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND I HAVEN'T STARTED IT SINCE. FLOOD FORD SERVICE DEPT. ADVISED ME TO CALL FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE & HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THERE IS NO POLICE REPORT AS SUCH; IT IS CONSIDERED BY THE NEWPORT POLICE AS A "CALL FOR ASSISTANCE."

NHTSA ODI 11141013

May 14, 2018Speed controlCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S TOW YARD AND DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11093645

Apr 21, 2018SteeringCrash3 injuries

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED RESPONDING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO RESPOND WAS TO MAKE DRASTIC TURNS THAT WOULD TAKE ME ACROSS 3 LANES OF HIGHWAY AND THEN BACK THE OTHER WAY. I FINALLY GOT THE BRAKE TO SLOW ME DOWN ENOUGH, I PULLED OVER. I HAD HIT ANOTHER CAR AND THE C-MAX WAS TOTALED. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK THE CAR, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DESTROYED IN THE ACCIDENT SO THERE WAS NO WAY TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. SINCE THE CAR WAS TOTALED IN ANOTHER STATE, I DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PHOTOS.

NHTSA ODI 11089206

Oct 4, 2017Electrical system

THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE WHILE GOING 70 MPH. TOOK THE CAR IN AND WE WERE TOLD IT HAD A RECALL ON THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. WE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND IT ISN'T LISTED ON THE NHTSA SITE.

NHTSA ODI 11031781

Jun 30, 2017Electrical system

1.REVERSE CAMERA STAYS ON 2.VERY SLOW TO RESPOND TO TOUCH 3.NAVIGATION 4.NAVIGATION NOT SAFE, FEATURES NOT DISABLED DURING DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11002468

Mar 27, 2017Speed controlCrash

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN I WAS TRANSITIONING FROM PAVEMENT TO GRAVEL WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT THAT TRANSITION PERIOD. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. I ALMOST HIT THE CAR PARKED IN THE ADJACENT SPOT. I CRANKED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID MISSING THAT CAR. THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB, AND PROCEEDED INTO A TREE. HAD IT NOT HIT A TREE I WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN THE WINDSHIELD OF THE OPPOSITE CAR AS IT WAS A GRADE BELOW FROM MY PARKING SPOT. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED MOVING, A FATAL ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON THE SCREEN AND THE "BRAIN" OF THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I BELIEVE THE BRAIN FAILED. THE BODY SHOP HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER TO HAVE THE COMPUTER FIXED. THE CAR IS NOW BACK AT THE BODY SHOP FINISHING UP. IT HAD BEEN ALMOST A MONTH, AND I HAVE YET TO GET ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD. I FEEL THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, AS I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S COMPUTER.

NHTSA ODI 10968744

Jan 21, 2017LightsBody & structureCrash

PRESSED THE BRAKES TO STOP IN A PARKING LOT, AND THE CAR TOOK OFF AS OBSESSED AND JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A HUGE FLOWER POT,

NHTSA ODI 10946869

Jan 4, 2017Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I ENTERED THE CAR AND TRIED TO START. IMMEDIATELY IT FAILED TO START AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SAYING NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR THEN IT WENT DARK AND I AM NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT AT ALL AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD RODENT DAMAGE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. FIRST TIME WAS IN AUGUST 2016.

NHTSA ODI 10939733

Apr 12, 2016Crash1 injury

HEAD IMPACT - PREVIOUSLY RECALLED IN JULY 2013 BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR HEADLINER DESIGN ISSUES. STRUCK WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ONTO HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 10855102

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Working with the data? Download all 46 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Ford Cmax Energi verdict →