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.
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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
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Vehicle year: 2014
Firstly, this car has excellent gas mileage, especially if you plug it in every night. It's comfortable, quiet, and easy to get into. However, the sync system by Microsoft has some issues. Unfortunately, the myFord touch system, which allows you to monitor your car's performance and program certain features using your cell phone, does not work as advertised. It operates on the outdated 2G cell system, which is currently being dismantled by At&t, rendering many of the features useless. Additionally, it fails to sync with my phone properly. If you're only interested in great gas mileage and don't care about the myford touch features, then it's still a good car. However, if you have high expectations for the info-entertainment system, you may be disappointed. This keeps me from loving the car, and I feel like Ford may have misled me about the functionality of these features. I plan to drive it for a few more years, but I won't be purchasing any more Ford or Microsoft products.
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Vehicle year: 2013
Charging at home and work allows me to easily cover my 15-mile commute each way without using any gas, which is really nice. The battery typically shows 9 miles of range left when I arrive at work and 6 miles of range left when I arrive back home, even with more hills. I'm impressed with the breaking regen system, which allows me to regen a mile or two in estimated range at each of the 2 or 3 stop lights caught on my commute. During longer weekend trips and road trips, I average around 38 to 39 mpg after the battery charge is finished with EV mode and normal hybrid mode kicks in. Additionally, the car comes with an embedded cellular card, which allows me to see the car's location and charge status by phone or web.
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Vehicle year: 2016
I've been driving the C-Max for 18 months now and it's been a fantastic ride! The car is very well executed and Ford has done a great job of automating it with automatic lights, wipers, and more. Although it's a CVT, the acceleration is good and the power and handling are great up to 90 MPH. Above that, it's not as fun, but it's perfect for city driving and traffic. It's especially great for electric-only rides in heavy traffic without turning on the engine at all, up to 85 MPH. I've driven 20,000 miles in LA and I'm looking forward to many more. The higher seating, weight, and drive feel more like a cross between a mini minivan and a hot hatchback (which is very heavy at almost 4,000 pounds). My best tank MPG was about 85 MPG, almost 1,100 miles on a 12-gallon tank, and the least has been around 65 MPG. The car is due for a second oil change shortly, making it a 10,000 interval for maintenance which is always a good bonus. There's not much I would fault the car for, maybe a bit higher ride and ground clearance would be good, but I do like the ride. I got the plug-in, but the hybrid-only ones were more fun, much lighter, and sharper rides. The back seat is very comfortable and I often have passengers. Ford has a winning formula for the car of the future, with the perfect size, power, and the whole package.
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Vehicle year: 2015
I absolutely love this car! I looked at other hybrids, both foreign and domestic, but when I drove this one, it was the clear winner. It drives so smoothly and quietly, and there's plenty of room inside, including lots of headroom. I've had it for almost 6 months now and I rarely have to buy gas. We installed a 220 charger about a month after purchasing it and I'm so glad we did - charging time went from about 6 hours to just 2 hours! If you're going on trips around 20 miles, you may never have to buy gas again. I was looking for something comfortable on the highway and this car definitely fits the bill. We also have a Lincoln MKT, but this car is just as quiet and comfortable while using much less gas. We recently went on a 500 mile road trip and averaged about 40 mpg. Around town, I've gotten as much as 175 mpg on a tank of gas! I was a bit worried that it wouldn't feel as great to drive as my previous sporty diesel car, but it's actually fantastic to drive. I really hope that Ford keeps making this car so that I can buy another one in 4 years. Maybe by then they can increase the cargo space a bit, but even with 2 people on a road trip, we can always use the back seat.
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Vehicle year: 2015
I absolutely adore my C-Max energi! With the 120 volt powercord that came with the vehicle, I can get a full 5.5 kWh charge in just 7 hours for about $.60. This charge can take me anywhere from 15-20 miles, depending on the conditions. Since I mostly drive in the city and recharge daily, I get an overall 67 mpg, which is fantastic! I've been using this car for 6 months now and it has been a great experience. Before the C-Max, I had a MINI Cooper, which was nice and sporty, but my daughters had outgrown it. Luckily, the C-Max is perfect for our tall family of four. We all fit comfortably and the kids love the color-changing
Are you having problems with your Ford C-max energi?
Gabe Goldner 2025-03-13
Vehicle year: 2014
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.
Hazel Waelchi 2025-02-22
Vehicle year: 2013
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with the C-Max Energi. I initially thought I could drive it just a few miles per day, plug it in at night, and avoid gas stations altogether. However, I ran into a bit of an issue. It turns out that while the lithium ion battery charges, the 12 volt battery that initially cranks the engine doesn't charge at the same time. As a result, if you don't drive extended miles every few days or so, the 12 volt battery will gradually be drained. I learned this the hard way when my battery died twice. According to my local dealer, this is because the Energi doesn't have an alternator. Just something to keep in mind! Let me know if you have any questions.
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.