2016 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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Common 2016 Ford C-max energi problems
The 2016 Ford C-Max Energi is a plug-in hybrid hatchback/wagon available in a single SEL trim level. While the car has its strengths, including high fuel economy, decent electric-only range, stylish and well-made interior, refined handling and ride dynamics, quick acceleration, and elevated driving position, there are several common problems reported by owners that might be of concern.
- Stereo System Randomly Locks Up: Some owners have reported that the stereo system randomly locks up every few days and needs to be rebooted. This can be an annoying issue but is generally considered tolerable.
- 12V Battery Issues: There have been instances where the 12V battery went completely flat during detailing when the doors and interior lights were left on for a few hours. After a jump start, the battery still seemed to be functioning properly, but this issue can be a concern for those who rely on the car for daily use.
- Door Sealing Problems: Some versions of the C-Max Mk2 have door-sealing issues, which can cause a high-pitched squeal at speed. The cause of the fault is most often a faulty sealing strip, which needs to be removed, straightened, and refitted with new adhesive. This is a procedure that a DIY mechanic should be capable of completing without issue.
- Child Lock System Failure: Some versions of the C-Max have suffered a failure of the child lock system, which is less than ideal in a family vehicle. The problem is caused by water getting into the driver’s or passenger’s door, usually through a faulty seal on the door mirror. The solution is to remove the door trim and check which components are affected by water ingress, then dry them out or replace them. Then remove the door mirror and replace the sealant before refitting the mirror.
- Keyless Locking Problems: Versions of the C-Max Mk2 with keyless entry have been known to suffer failure of the system. This is because in winter salty water can get into the external front door handles, causing the door lock sensor to fail. The solution is to remove the handle and clean it out, a task that is easily accomplished by following the relevant procedure.
These issues, while not necessarily major, can be frustrating for owners. It is essential to be aware of these common problems when considering the purchase of a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent or address these issues, ensuring a more reliable and enjoyable ownership experience.
Is the Ford C-Max Energi reliable?
The current Consumer reports Used Car Guide recommends the C-Max as “a hidden used car gem.” Avoid the 2013 model year, though. Transmissions on the Hybrid (not Energi) model were failure-prone before 2015. I own a 2014 C-Max Hybrid and a 2017 C-Max Energi, both for about six years now.
How long will Ford C-Max Energi last?
roughly 8 years
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.
How long is the battery life on a 2016 Ford C-Max?
How often should you replace your 2016 Ford C-Max battery? Every 3 to 5 years, but you should have your battery tested ordinarily for extreme drops in voltage to make sure it's operating at a reliable level. Vehicle batteries generally transmit 12 to 13 volts unless you have a high-performance battery.
Is there any problems with 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.
Is the Ford C-Max Energi reliable?
The current Consumer reports Used Car Guide recommends the C-Max as “a hidden used car gem.” Avoid the 2013 model year, though. Transmissions on the Hybrid (not Energi) model were failure-prone before 2015. I own a 2014 C-Max Hybrid and a 2017 C-Max Energi, both for about six years now.
How long is the battery life on a 2016 Ford C-Max?
How often should you replace your 2016 Ford C-Max battery? Every 3 to 5 years, but you should have your battery tested ordinarily for extreme drops in voltage to make sure it's operating at a reliable level. Vehicle batteries generally transmit 12 to 13 volts unless you have a high-performance battery.
Is there any problems with 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 long will Ford C-Max Energi last?
roughly 8 years
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.
2016 Ford C-max energi complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Ford C-max energi.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
Negative 2016 Ford C-max energi car reviews
Positive 2016 Ford C-max energi car reviews
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Using it almost exclusively on electric mode. I make a lot of short trips and can go about 24 miles in all electric mode. Great rebates from Ford, Federal government and State of California. My utility company will pay for charging the first year and after that on all-electric mode it is about 1.5 cents per mile. I am very happy with the car.
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I have a 2015 Ford C-Max Energi with 20,000 miles on it. The C-Max is a great car that only requires an oil change every 10,000 miles, which costs around $40. It has peppy acceleration and handles well, making for a comfortable ride. The power adjustable leather driver’s seat is also super comfortable. The dealer convinced me to buy the premium extended warranty because it’s a $32,000 car, but with the $10,000 credit available in CA, I was able to get it for only $22,000. For driving comfort, handling, and reliability, I give it 5 stars. The only downside is the NAV and clunky radio interface, but the 2017 models have a better system. I looked at the Nissan Leaf, but it has a low range and lower crash test. The Chev Volt is more of a sports car, low to the ground, and only seats 4, while the 2017 C-Max seats 5 if your passengers are small. The C-Max is higher like a Honda CRV and has lots of headroom for tall people. Short people will like that the driver’s seat adjusts way up. The backup camera works well, and it’s nice to be able to swing your foot to open the power lift gate. The key fob is big, but it never needs to leave your pocket or purse. The trunk space is small, but you'd be amazed at what you can fit in the C-Max. I can fit 2 adults, 3 kids, a large cooler with drinks and snacks, 5 folding beach chairs, 1 beach tent and umbrella, 5 beach towels, and 3 foam boogie boards. The C-Max Energi is only cost-effective if you get good rebates and have cheap electricity under .15 per Kilowatt. Otherwise, you're better off just buying a C-Max Hybrid or Fusion Hybrid. I use one tank of gas per month at $33. I plug in whenever the car is in the driveway so I can do all my local driving using the electricity from the solar system. I was getting ripped off and paying .40 kwh, but now I have solar, so it’s about .09 kwh. I also installed the 220V charger, so it only takes 2.5 hours for a full charge. I can go 18-22 miles on only electric. The yearly cost for 15,000 miles, based on $2.60 for gas and...For the C-Max Energy, using 15 kwh with 60% highway and 40% local driving, you can expect to pay around $800 for gas and electricity. The C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid will cost you approximately $1000 per year. If you use solar power, like I do, you can save a lot on fuel costs. My annual fuel cost is only $396 for gas and $240 for electricity, which comes to a total of $640 per year.
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Sept. 2019: Hi there! Just wanted to give you an update on my earlier reviews. I purchased the car brand new in Aug 2015 and have only put 55,000 miles on it. I'm happy to report that the car continues to perform well and has been very reliable. I haven't had any mechanical issues at all and the maintenance cost has been very low. I'm a bit puzzled as to why Ford decided to discontinue this model, as I've found the hybrid electric plug-in to be especially great for saving on gas. Thanks for reading!
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The car is a 'Plug-in Hybrid'. The 'Plug-In' part refers to the pure electric car that needs to be plugged into an electric power source to charge its battery. This battery powers an electric motor to drive the car. Electric-only vehicles are typically called 'EVs' and I will use EV to refer to the car in electric-only mode. Separate from the EV, the C-Max Energi is a 'Hybrid' car. The Hybrid is a car with a normal gasoline engine, but also uses the engine to charge a battery, which powers an electric motor to either drive the car on its own or supplements the gasoline engine to drive the car. This improves gas mileage, especially in stop-and-go city driving. The battery for the EV part of the C-Max Energi is good for about 20 miles on a full charge and has a 550-mile range on a full tank/charge. Prior to getting this car, I had rented several Toyota Prius models and drove them for months. They have many plusses: first, they have been on the market for over 10 years so all the kinks have been worked out; next, they have 50+ MPG gas mileage and even higher in stop-and-go city driving. Also, there are probably 15 variations of Prius to choose from. And Toyotas have legendary reliability. So, why did I go for the C-Max, a Ford, an American car? The two minuses compared to the Prius are it has lower gas mileage - 45 MPG in my first two tanks of gas - and the reliability is unknown – the model has been available for about five years. Consumer reports has the C-Max 5-10% below the Prius in reliability. But, I felt the pluses were many. Listing them quickly: it's much quieter - insulation from road noise and a longer wheelbase and larger wheels means it rides smoother/quieter. Better acceleration - while the engine is 2.0L vs. the Prius 1.8L, the C-Max is heavier cancelling out the larger engine advantage. But the C-Max combines electric and gas power when you want to accelerate, so getting on the highway quickly is no problem.The C-Max Energi has many advantages, including its roomy interior and lower cost. As an EV, it qualifies for a US$7,500 federal government tax credit, and the C-Max Energi qualifies for an additional $4,007. It also qualifies for a $1,500 rebate from California. These incentives make the car much less expensive and pushed me to get the plug-in hybrid instead of a normal hybrid. Combined with incentives from Ford, the price was very attractive and pushed me to get a C-Max Energi vs. the Prius. Before I go into the numbers in the lease, let me describe the incentives (or discounts) from Ford that totaled $12,000. These include a $4,000 tax credit for an EV, which Ford takes if you lease the car, and a $4,000 factory incentive. Additionally, there is a $2,500 year-end incentive and a $1,500 lease incentive. The 2016 C-Max Energy had a sticker price of $34,000. Add to it about $2,000 of taxes and fees and subtract the $12,000 in incentives, right off the bat, the car is costing me $24,000. $24,000 is the amount I am financing with lease.Ford took the $12,000 less the $2,000 tax and expense and used the remaining $10,000 as a down payment for the lease. So, I didn't have to put any money down. After looking at the monthly payments and the residual value for leases of 24, 36, and 48 months, it was clear that the 36-month lease was the most cost-effective option. Here are the numbers: Price of the car: $24,000, Deduct the end of three years’ residual value provided by Ford: $12,500, My 36 payments, including interest: $12,000, Tax on the payments: $1,000. So, I am paying $13,000 divided by 36 monthly payments (about $360 a month) and can give the car back to Ford at the end. If I want to keep the car, I pay Ford $12,500 plus tax of about $1,000 or $13,500. I have done the math and the interest rate I am paying is 4.36% per year.
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I purchased a 2015 C Max last year (2021) because my wife and I were looking for a fuel-efficient car with ample interior space. If you're solely interested in the ultimate gas saver from this model year, then a Prius may be a better option. However, I personally did not want a Prius due to its unappealing appearance and lackluster interior and handling, despite having driven many of them. The C Max, on the other hand, boasts a much nicer interior and better ergonomics, handles exceptionally well, and has a 20-mile electric range that suits my needs perfectly. Ford's goal was not necessarily to outdo the Prius in terms of fuel consumption, but rather to create a hybrid that excels in all areas, and they have succeeded in doing so, regardless of what reviewers may say. I highly recommend test driving both the C Max and the Prius to see for yourself. The seats are incredibly comfortable, especially for long trips, and offer better comfort than those in our 2016 Jeep GC Summit. Our C Max is equipped with the ultra-rare parallel parking assist option, which is a fantastic feature. It has been an amazing little car for our family of four, consisting of two adults and two children aged eight and nine. While it may not have tons of power, it is peppier than the Prius. If you're interested in purchasing a C Max, make sure to get one with LRR tires to maximize its fuel-saving potential. I have been getting around 36-37 MPG (gas engine) on the highway with non-LRR tires, which I will be replacing soon. Keep in mind that I own a C Max Energi, which has an extra battery than the regular C Max for the electric drive, making the vehicle heavier. I referenced the Prius as it is the direct competitor of the C Max. Thank you for considering my recommendation!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Ford C-max energi problems:
Stay away from C-Max Energi with transmission issues? : r/cmaxhybrid
Dec 2, 2021 ... Hey all, been lurking for a bit and have been highly interested in the Ford Energis, both C-Max and Fusion. I have a '12 Focus SEL right now ...
More issues with my 2016 Cmax - Ford C-MAX Hybrid Forum
Dec 4, 2016 ... If you see any gaps in between the welds or around the hinges, you will probably have a place where water can get in. The problem with this, is ...
2016 Ford C-MAX Energi Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
Passed 200K, how long will these Cmax Hybrids go? Are 2016 thru ...
Mar 19, 2022 ... Ford C-MAX Hybrid Forum. Existing user? Sign ... This is a known problem with all Fords with ... Beyond the reliability issues, there are several ...
2016 Ford C-MAX Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics · Paint And Trim · Steering And Suspension · Electrical Accessories · Climate System · Transmission Major · Electric ...
Other years of Ford C-max energi
Are you having problems with your 2016 Ford C-max energi?
Walker Senger 2025-01-03
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.
Darrion Zemlak 2024-09-29
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.
Amari Zulauf 2024-03-28
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?
Roberto Funk 2024-01-21
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.