Ford C-max energi problems
The Ford C-Max (stylized as Ford C-MAX and previously called the Ford Focus C-Max) is a car produced by the Ford Motor Company from 2003 to 2019. It has a five-door compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) design. The Ford Grand C-Max has a longer wheelbase.
Ford introduced the C-Max in the United States as its first hybrid-only line of vehicles, which includes the C-Max Hybrid, released in September 2012, and the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, launched in October 2012. Although the C-Max was initially available only in Europe, the first generation was partially available in New Zealand.
First generation (2003)
The Ford Focus C-Max is preceded by the eponymous show car, which was designed by Daniel Paulin and unveiled at the 2002 Paris Motor Show.
C-Max Mk I was the first product to use the Ford C1 platform, also used by the Ford Focus Mk II and the compact MPV Premacy/Mazda5. Its internal code name is C214.
It seats five passengers and has a large amount of cargo space, which can be increased by folding the rear seats flat. Some models feature diagonally sliding outer rear seats. It also shares the control blade independent rear suspension from the Focus.
Social links
Ford C-max energi model years
Common Ford C-max energi problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Ford C-Max Energi, several common problems have been reported:
- Transmission Failure: Some owners have reported transmission failures in the 2013 C-Max Energi, which can result in drivability issues and potentially costly repairs.
- Charging Problems: Complaints have been made about the 2014 C-Max Energi not keeping a charge, indicating potential issues with the charging system or battery.
- Electrical Issues: The Ford C-Max Hybrid, which shares similarities with the Energi model, has been noted for electrical problems, suggesting a broader concern with the electrical systems in these vehicles.
- MyFord Touch System: Consumers have raised complaints about the MyFord Touch infotainment system being confusing and difficult to operate, impacting the overall user experience of the vehicle.
- Stalling: Some drivers have experienced stalling issues with the Ford C-Max Energi, which can pose safety risks and lead to inconvenience on the road.
These reported problems highlight a range of issues that Ford C-Max Energi owners have faced, from electrical and battery-related concerns to transmission and operational issues. Addressing these issues promptly and through authorized dealerships is crucial to ensure the safety and reliability of these vehicles.
How long does a Ford C-Max Energi battery last?
The make and model of your hybrid vehicle can affect its battery's life, but as a general rule the hybrid battery in Ford vehicles is warrantied to last roughly 8 years or to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, under normal driving conditions.
Is there any problem with the Ford C-Max?
The C-Max Mk2 also has problems that include a loose door frame weather strip, leaky manual transmissions, coolant pump leaks, and a failure of the keyless entry system. However, don't worry, because here we explain what the issues involve and how the DIY mechanic can save large sums of money by repairing them at home.
How reliable is the Ford C-Max Hybrid?
The severity and frequency of repairs are both much lower than other vehicles, so the C-Max is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.
What is the recall on the Ford C-Max transmission?
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.
Recalls Ford C-max energi
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Ford C-max energi.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Ford C-max energi 2013
- Report Received Date: 2013-10-17
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Consequence: Without an audible door chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and exit the vehicle without being reminded that the vehicle is still operational, leaving the vehicle susceptible to theft.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C07.
Latest negative Ford C-max energi car reviews
Latest positive Ford C-max energi car reviews
-
Vehicle year: 2016
This car gets great gas mileage, even better than advertised and my Prius. It's really fun to drive, with more pep and acceleration than other hybrids. Plus, it comes well-equipped for the price compared to other hybrids in its class.
-
Vehicle year: 2017
The Ford C-Max Energi is a fantastic and cost-effective car. It boasts incredible fuel economy, especially for those with short commutes. The car's all-electric range is advertised at 19 miles, but I have been able to achieve up to 30 all-electric miles on occasion, with a more common range of 23-25 miles. In colder weather, the all-electric range is reduced to the mid to high teens due to battery performance. The gasoline hybrid mode also consistently outperforms advertised mileage, with typical ranges of 41-46 mpg. The C-Max is also impressively powerful, with quick acceleration and the ability to reach highway speeds in around 7 seconds. The dash display is visually refined and provides helpful performance metrics. While the PHEV battery takes up half of the trunk, limiting cargo space, and the turning radius is not ideal, I still highly recommend this car for its cost-effectiveness and impressive performance.
-
Vehicle year: 2017
If you ever experience a sidewall tire failure like I did last weekend, you can either buy a donut spare on eBay or wait for a tow truck. Hope this helps!
-
Vehicle year: 2016
I leased a 2015 C-Max and noticed that the interior trim fit and finish was not up to par, with the trim literally falling apart just one month after purchase. However, I am glad that I leased this car instead of buying it. On the positive side, the interior is roomy with a good ambience and the Sync system is decent and does its job well. Additionally, my 65-mile round trip has been netting me 55 Mpg, which is not too bad, although it should have been more for a PHEV. The car has a big battery that takes away from what should have been a generous cargo space, but it is still better than the Fusion Energi or Accord Hybrid. Unfortunately, the interior quality is questionable and there is no spare tire. This was my first domestic purchase and I will see how it holds up for 3 years. Despite the cons, I still love this car. The interior passenger volume is deceptively large, the engine is very peppy, and the massive windshields make for excellent visibility. The average mileage is around 50-55 Mpg with a total range of 650-700 miles between fill-ups. Kids love the ambient lights and the rain/speed sensing wipers are a nice touch. The gas-only mileage is lower than promised (35 actual vs 47 promised), but that may be due to my lead foot. Unfortunately, the scheduler for charging and AC does not work even after 3 dealership visits, but I blame the dealership Autonation Ford for this. Overall, the CMax Energi makes a very good commuter car. Ford, please update this car since competitors like Chevy Volt and Prius Prime make newer/updated and better products now.*** Last Update Overall Impressions **** I turned in my lease after 3 years of service and was pleasantly surprised with the CMax Energi.Never had a problem with the car for 45 K Miles that I drove in 3 years. Great mileage 55 + MPGE average. Good interior space, even my 400# lunch buddy had no problem getting in and out of the car. However, Ford dropped the car. I did not purchase another car from Ford and walked across to the Toyota dealership to pick up a Prius Prime Advance....
-
Vehicle year: 2014
Great overall car with lots of headroom F&R, fantastic utility and cargo carrying. I was able to haul a few dishwashers and other large objects with the seats folded down. The brakes will last a long time with regen braking. However, when new, I was getting about 25 miles on electric. As the car and battery aged, it went down to 15. Ford support is okay, but not all dealers know how to work on plug-in hybrids. Unfortunately, Ford fights to replace the battery even under warranty.
Are you having problems with your Ford C-max energi?
Walker Senger 2025-01-03
Vehicle year: 2016
We signed the papers to lease this car on Saturday, August 13, 2016. The odometer read 62 miles. After familiarizing ourselves with the car, we were excited to hit the road! However, the car wouldn't start. No one knew what to do, but eventually, they got it going. The salesman explained that they reset the code. We drove home with a Ford employee following us, just in case. Thankfully, we made it home without any issues. On Wednesday, August 17th, the car wouldn't start again. This time, the odometer read 122 miles. I had the car towed to the nearest dealership and left it there. The service manager called and informed me that the 'electronic control module for hybrid' needed replacing, but unfortunately, the part was on back order. Does this mean that there is a run on this part? I was disappointed because I bought this car to replace my 14-year-old car, hoping for a reliable vehicle. I'd like to keep in touch with Ray Brisbine of CA, who seems to have had the same experience. I wonder if his problems were resolved. After two weeks, we finally got the car back from the dealer service. The service manager told us that Ford engineers called him and said the car did not need a new control module, but rather the computer needed re-programming. So, Ford engineers talked the dealer tech people through a complete re-programming of my c-max energi. We've had it back for four days now, and it is running well. We hope that this is 'the fix'. The service manager said that they have gotten a recall for all c-max energi cars, probably for this reprogramming. We still have a minor problem: holding the lock sensor area for a second does not work to lock the doors. However, unlocking does work. Also, if I lock the doors with the power door locks while exiting, the car locks, but about 15 seconds later the horn beeps loudly until the car is unlocked. We found the Ford dealership to be very helpful during this period, even giving us a lender car to keep for the duration of the repair.
Sherman Bayer 2024-11-17
Vehicle year: 2015
I experienced problems with the electrical system early on. However, I am confident that the issue was primarily caused by the dealership. Despite the sales people and management appearing to care, the car had to be towed twice due to the technicians failing to make proper electrical connections. Shockingly, the second time they delivered the car to me without reassembling the hybrid battery compartment! Fortunately, FMC came to the rescue and made some commercial accommodation that has worked for me.
Robert Windler 2024-10-19
Vehicle year: 2017
The C-Max has some quirks to consider before purchasing. During the winter, it takes a while for the car to warm up and the battery drains quickly when using the heater and fans on short trips. However, during the summer, the car averages 43mpg and can even eliminate the need for gas entirely. It's important to note that the hybrid mode may not kick in on short trips below 20 degrees. The lithium ion battery has an 8-year warranty and typically lasts around 10 years with proper care. While the C-Max is a good car, there may be better options available from competitors.
Guiseppe Shields 2024-10-18
Vehicle year: 2013
Hi there! I bought this car 2 months ago and have been driving it to and from work mostly. I really like the concept of a plugin hatchback. The car handles fairly well and the motors work great. However, I have to admit that the electronics still need some work. The charging software, navigation, and voice recognition are not up to par yet and have made the experience less enjoyable for me.
Kane Watsica 2024-10-17
Vehicle year: 2015
It seems like there might be some issues with the car you're describing. Specifically, you mentioned that there is no trunk space, the glove box cannot be locked, the colors in the dash are blending, and there is not enough storage space. Is there anything else you'd like to add or any other concerns you have?