2015 Ford C-MAX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 21 of 84 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 110 in 2014 to 84 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,550–1,650 | 1,600–1,650 | 1,600–1,650 | 1,600–1,650 | 1,550–1,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 38–40 | 38–39 | 38–39 | 38–39 | 39–40 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 40–42 / 36–37 | 40–41 / 36 | 40–41 / 36 | 40–41 / 36 | 41–42 / 38 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 229 | 230 | 230 | 230 | 222 | |
| Complaints filed | 357 | 110 | 84 | 54 | 25 | |
| Recalls issued | 10 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 6 | 11 | 7 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford C-MAX have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2015 Ford C-MAX?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 21 of 84 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Ford C-MAX get?
EPA rates it 38–39 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Ford C-MAX?
EPA estimates $1,600–$1,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 41 mpg (high) | 36 mpg | 39 mpg (high) | $1,600 (low) | 230 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Midsize Cars | 40 mpg (low) | 36 mpg | 38 mpg (low) | $1,650 (high) | 129 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 25V695000 · Oct 14, 2025
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD · Campaign 22V413000 · Jun 13, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 20V331000 · Jun 9, 2020
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL · Campaign 18V592000 · Sep 11, 2018
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.
Consequence: An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 16V643000 · Sep 6, 2016
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 15V436000 · Jul 8, 2015
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C06.