2016 Ford C-MAX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 15 of 54 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 84 in 2015 to 54 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,600–1,650 | 1,600–1,650 | 1,600–1,650 | 1,550–1,600 | 1,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 38–39 | 38–39 | 38–39 | 39–40 | 40 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 40–41 / 36 | 40–41 / 36 | 40–41 / 36 | 41–42 / 38 | 42 / 38 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 230 | 230 | 230 | 222 | 222 | |
| Complaints filed | 110 | 84 | 54 | 25 | 10 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | |
| 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 2016 Ford C-MAX have?
3 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 2016 Ford C-MAX?
Electrical: 15 of 54 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Ford C-MAX get?
EPA rates it 38–39 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 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 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 9 | 1 | 1 | 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 (3)
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY · Campaign 17V052000 · Jan 30, 2017
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
Consequence: Improperly welded apron joints may reduce the front-end structural integrity of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S03.