2016 Ford C-max hybrid problems

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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.

2016 Ford C-max hybrid

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Common 2016 Ford C-max hybrid problems

Based on complaints from owners of the Ford C-Max Hybrid 2016, several common problems have been reported:

  1. Water Leaks: Owners have experienced issues with multiple water leaks in the roof and hatch area of the car. This problem can lead to interior damage and discomfort for passengers due to water ingress. Addressing water leaks promptly is crucial to prevent further damage to the vehicle's interior components and ensure a comfortable driving experience.
  2. Yellow Wrench Light: Some owners have reported the illumination of a yellow wrench light on the dashboard. This warning light can indicate various issues, including mechanical problems or the need for maintenance. When this light appears, it is advisable to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic to diagnose the specific cause and address it accordingly.
  3. Quality and Reliability Concerns: Despite being a later model in its product cycle, owners have expressed disappointment in the quality and reliability of the Ford C-Max Hybrid 2016. This sentiment highlights concerns about the overall performance and durability of the vehicle, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and regular maintenance to address potential issues proactively.

These common problems reported by owners of the Ford C-Max Hybrid 2016 underscore the significance of regular maintenance, prompt attention to warning lights, and addressing any water leaks to ensure the longevity and optimal performance of the vehicle.

2016 Ford C-max hybrid engine

What is the life expectancy of a Ford C-Max hybrid battery?

Average Lifespan: Hybrid batteries typically have a lifespan of 100,000 to 200,000 miles. Warranty Coverage: Most hybrid car manufacturers offer warranties that cover the hybrid battery for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles.

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 Hybrid a good car?

Likes: Speedier than most other hybrids, refined powertrain, athletic chassis. Dislikes: Not as efficient as rivals, lackluster cornering grip, top-heavy feeling in corners. The C-Max hybrid powertrain is refined and well-integrated, and the transition from electric power to gasoline operation is practically seamless.

How much does it cost to replace a battery in a Ford C-Max?

The average cost for a Ford C-Max Battery Replacement is between $214 and $225. Labor costs are estimated between $44 and $56 while parts are typically priced around $170. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location.

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 Hybrid a good car?

Likes: Speedier than most other hybrids, refined powertrain, athletic chassis. Dislikes: Not as efficient as rivals, lackluster cornering grip, top-heavy feeling in corners. The C-Max hybrid powertrain is refined and well-integrated, and the transition from electric power to gasoline operation is practically seamless.

What is the life expectancy of a Ford C-Max hybrid battery?

Average Lifespan: Hybrid batteries typically have a lifespan of 100,000 to 200,000 miles. Warranty Coverage: Most hybrid car manufacturers offer warranties that cover the hybrid battery for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles.

Is Ford C-Max reliable?

Ford C-Max Reliability Rating Breakdown. The Ford C-Max Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 10th out of 36 for compact cars. The average annual repair cost is $557 which means it has lower than average ownership costs.

2016 Ford C-max hybrid complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Ford C-max hybrid.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

Negative 2016 Ford C-max hybrid car reviews

  1. Bertram Romaguera 2024-09-26

    I drove this car for 50,000 miles in one year as an Uber/Lyft driver in San Francisco. The car has good gas mileage and a roomy interior. However, it can be difficult to sync Bluetooth and the passenger doors are heavy. The power lift gate is slow and the rear storage is small. The car can be jumpy and has slow power to pass. The wheels tend to spin on take off and braking, even on dry and wet roads. The turn signal is loud, but the speakers are nice and loud. The car has a big windshield for a good view, but it feels tippy on bumps, which can cause low back pain. The windshield wipers have bad timing. The seats are uncomfortable and the driver's seat is too high for the correct angle of legs to pedals, which can cause back pain. The car has an ugly side profile and front view. The steering wheel to front tires feels unstable and insecure, especially on the highway. During the first 20,000 miles, the brakes made an awful skid sound when coming to a stop at slow speeds. The dealer said it was a

  2. Oda Walter 2024-04-27

    I purchased a car from Livermore Ford in June 2016, but unfortunately it ran less than 40 miles and had to be picked up by a Ford dealership as it would not start. It has now been seven (7) weeks and I still do not have the car. Although both Ford Motor Co. and the selling dealership have made many promises, there has been no actual follow-through and I still do not know the exact status of the car, nor have I received any return of payment for the vehicle. It is disappointing that neither Ford nor the selling dealership seem to be concerned that I paid in full for a vehicle that would not run after 40 miles and that I still do not have after seven weeks. I hope this experience will help you make an informed decision before purchasing a Ford product. After ten (10) weeks, I finally have a car that works rather well. However, the dealership as well as Ford Motor Company could have made more effort to quickly solve the problem. Adding to the problem, after Ford Motor Company finally resolved the computer-based problem, Livermore Ford did not send the necessary paperwork to enable me to license this vehicle. Overall, the service was poor.

  3. Brendon Towne 2024-04-02

    Despite some initial issues with the electronics and advertised gas mileage, I have found the 2013 C-Max to be a powerful hybrid with great cargo capacity. While Ford has not yet addressed the issue with the rear doors, I have been consistently getting 42-43 mpg on fill ups, which exceeds the EPA estimate. Overall, my experience with the C-Max has been positive and I am confident in its capabilities.

  4. Guy Metz 2024-03-28

    I recently purchased a car with only 20, xxx miles on it. Here are some of the pros: it has great MPG, is environmentally friendly, saves money on gas, is easy to get in and out of, has relatively quick acceleration, an upgraded infotainment screen with Apple Car Play, entry keypad, is quiet, has heated seats, a capless fuel filler, fold/pop-down rear headrests that help provide a better view when backing up, and a good safety rating. However, there are some cons to consider such as the narrow footwell, pedal placement, convoluted climate controls, lack of storage space, and engine/CVT vibration. Additionally, the steering is not precise and tends to wander right or left. The sun visors do not have a side extension and are much shorter, which can be useless when the sun is at a certain point in the sky. The pedals are too close to each other, causing knee pain and pressure. The driving position can also be uncomfortable due to the seats being mounted too high. Despite these issues, I still find the car to be a good purchase overall.This is also related to the knee pain. Have you tried adjusting the seat, steering wheel, and climate controls to find a comfortable position? As someone who is 5'4'' and not overweight, it's important to have proper support and side bolstering in the seats to prevent sliding during turns. The climate controls could be more user-friendly with larger buttons and knobs for safer adjustments while driving. It's unfortunate to hear about the build quality issues you've experienced, such as the defective sunglasses holder and loose interior trim. However, it's great that you upgraded to a safer and more fuel-efficient car. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us!I'm so happy to hear that the C-Max is environmentally friendly and has great gas mileage. It's wonderful to know that the fuel efficiency of the car has already saved you a lot of money! I also appreciate the safety ratings and the ease of adding Apple Car Play (there are even videos on YouTube!). Regarding the update, it seems like the driver's side seat-heater is turning on by itself on low, so it might be a good idea to bring it in to the dealer. I hope your lower back feels better soon!

  5. Max Howell 2024-02-12

    I read another post that said the cost was good. I wonder where they live. I paid over 26,000 in 2015 and now it has been offered for 10 and 11???????? Other vehicles of the same kind did not experience a drop in resale value.

Positive 2016 Ford C-max hybrid car reviews

  1. Karley Stracke 2025-11-25

    I purchased this car on 12/8/16 and have been absolutely loving it ever since! The 'get-up-and-go' is better than I expected from a hybrid, and the interior is incredibly comfortable and well laid out. The Sync 3 system is intuitive and beats the old MyFordTouch. With 3 12-volt outlets, 2 USB ports, and a 115 outlet, there are plenty of places to charge a variety of devices. The fuel economy has been better than expected, averaging about 35.6 mpg in about 400 miles. The noise suppression in this car is fantastic, making it incredibly quiet even at highway speeds. Update: 6/24/17 - I've owned this car for just over 6 months now and my partner and I still absolutely love it. It's become our go-to vehicle whenever we go out together. My partner drives a 2011 Kia Soul! and can't get over how much better the C-Max is in all aspects. There are definitely a few tricks you have to learn to maximize electric driving, but the space inside has always been more than adequate. The updated Sync3 system is fantastic and the control layout is great, although I wish the Hatch Release was in a different location on the center stack. Overall, it's a great vehicle that I absolutely love! Update 12/17/17 - I’ve owned the car for over a year now and I'm still in love with it. I had the 10k service done at my local dealer and the fuel economy is still impressive. Although running the heater when it gets cold does have an impact, it still handles the horrible roads in Southern Louisiana very well and is amazingly quiet. I would definitely recommend it! Update 6/27/19 - I still love this car and can't sing its praises enough. If you're considering buying a car, I highly recommend this one. I haven't had ANY problems with it!

  2. Amari Berge 2025-11-22

    I really love this car! I previously owned a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, but I wasn't a fan of the hybrid system. However, with the C-Max, Ford has really hit it out of the park! The system runs smoothly and the transition from electric to gas (and vice versa) is seamless. It's amazing that I can even cruise at 80mph in electric mode! On a recent trip from Phoenix to San Diego, the car only used 3/4 of a tank of gas (it has a 13.5 gallon tank), which is fantastic. I even got to go down the mountain at 72mph TOTALLY IN ELECTRIC mode, which was really cool! Around town, I'm getting 60 to 70 mpg as displayed by the computer when I shut it off. The controls are easy to use and my kids think the efficiency leaves in the display are cute. I also appreciate the great visibility out of the car and the built-in blindside mirrors. Overall, I have no complaints about this car and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to purchase a new car. In fact, I think that because the hybrid system is so good, Ford should consider putting it into the Escape. Even my youngest daughter keeps saying she wants my car!

  3. Shad Hansen 2025-11-21

    I was searching for a used car and initially considered the 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid. However, after test driving it, I found that it lacked the spaciousness I was looking for. I have been driving a 2005 Mercury Montego Premier for the past 12 years, which has an incredible amount of space inside the cabin, between the front and rear seats, and in the trunk. I was hoping that the Fusion would have similar cabin space, but unfortunately, it felt cramped overall. Luckily, the dealer had a 2016 C-Max Hybrid SEL on the lot, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much cabin space it had, especially considering its relatively small size. The seats were tall and the doors were large, making it easy to get in and out of, and overall, quite comfortable with lots of adjustments for the driver. With the driver seat set to fit me (I'm 6'0The car provides decent initial acceleration on take-off and when passing. I was surprised at how composed and quick the car felt on a curvy road at night in mixed weather (some wet and dry pavement) and uneven road surfaces. The amount of space available for my passengers has received several compliments, and spending 5-10 hours in the driver seat doesn't make me feel like I need acupuncture or chiropractic care, unlike my wife's 2006 Mazda 3 Wagon. The overall gas mileage has been impressive as well, with an average of 44.3 mpg with mixed driving in heavy traffic and on the freeway. So far, I really like the C-Max and I look forward to revisiting my review in a year to see if my opinion has changed.

  4. Rudy Wiegand 2025-11-17

    This car is so much fun to drive, especially around town! I've always driven 6 cylinder cars, but I was pleasantly surprised by the agility and power of this 4 cylinder hybrid. If you're looking for a car that's great on gas, this is definitely the one for you!

  5. Emory Will 2025-11-17

    The Bluetooth sync with the cell phone can be a bit problematic as it sometimes confuses words like 'home' and 'Joan'. However, with a bit of practice, it becomes easier to use all the features available. I do wish that the fan on the climate control could be turned off completely. Additionally, I am still working on achieving the 37+ mpg promised on the sticker. It is important to note that when starting the engine, you must have your foot on the brake before pushing the 'start' button, otherwise the car will not start and will need to 're-boot' for a few seconds or minutes. On the positive side, I love the higher seats, good visibility, and plenty of head and leg room in both the front and back seats, which is great for my very tall husband and family. Overall, I have a very high assessment of the car as it is very quiet and comfortable.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2016 Ford C-max hybrid problems:

More issues with my 2016 Cmax - Ford C-MAX Hybrid Forum
More issues with my 2016 Cmax - Ford C-MAX Hybrid Forum
https://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/6353-more-issues-with-my-2016-cmax/

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 ...

Stay away from C-Max Energi with transmission issues? : r/cmaxhybrid
Stay away from C-Max Energi with transmission issues? : r/cmaxhybrid
https://www.reddit.com/r/cmaxhybrid/comments/r7kzfw/stay_away_from_cmax_energi_with_transmission/

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 ...

Passed 200K, how long will these Cmax Hybrids go? Are 2016 thru ...
Passed 200K, how long will these Cmax Hybrids go? Are 2016 thru ...
https://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/11594-passed-200k-how-long-will-these-cmax-hybrids-go-are-2016-thru-2018-as-quality-as-the-older-ones/

Mar 19, 2022 ... Ford C-MAX Hybrid Forum. Existing user? Sign ... Beyond the reliability issues, there are several nice improvements with the 2016 model year, ...

2016 Ford C-MAX Reliability - Consumer Reports
2016 Ford C-MAX Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ford/c-max/2016/reliability/

Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics · Paint And Trim · Steering And Suspension · Electrical Accessories · Climate System · Transmission Major · Electric ...

2016 Ford C-MAX Energi Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2016 Ford C-MAX Energi Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/ford/c-max-energi/2016/common-problems/

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 ...

Other years of Ford C-max hybrid

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C-max hybrid 2013
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ford c-max hybrid 2016 photo
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2016 Ford C-max hybrid photo