YearToAvoid

2015 Ford C-Max Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#3 most-complained of 6 C-Max years

The 2015 Ford C-Max ranks 3rd worst of 6 model years, with a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict. It has 52 complaints, 6 recalls, and 9 crashes reported, with Electrical System issues the top problem area at 19% of complaints.

Complaints
52
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
9 / 0
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
39
41 city / 36 hwy

Top 2015 Ford C-Max problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System10 (19%)
  2. Other9 (17%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain9 (17%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (13%)
  5. Steering6 (12%)
  6. Airbags5 (10%)
  7. Engine5 (10%)
  8. Fuel System4 (8%)
  9. Brakes3 (6%)
  10. Structure & Body3 (6%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the transmission unexpectedly shifting into drive from reverse or creeping forward on its own after starting the car.
  • Some describe sudden loss of power while driving, with a warning message telling them to stop safely, sometimes tied to a known recall.
  • Several report unintended acceleration while shifting into park or letting the car roll, resulting in low-speed crashes into curbs or walls.
  • Owners describe the vehicle failing to hold EV or hybrid modes, unexpectedly switching performance levels at highway speed.
  • One owner reported a charging cord overheating and melting at the plug despite following the recall's precautions.
  • Airbag complaints include crashes where the airbags did not deploy or a curtain airbag failed to deploy despite a side impact.
2015 Ford C-Max complaints: complaints filed per month4Dec 2015Jan 2019Feb 2020Jan 2021Sep 2022Mar 2024May 2025
63 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2015 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2026 (4).

2015 Ford C-Max recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V695000Oct 13, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,448,655 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles

    Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 20V331000Jun 8, 2020Structure & Body2,147,323 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2015 Ford C-Max →

2015 Ford C-Max fuel economy and fuel cost

City
41 MPG
Highway
36 MPG
Combined
39 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2015 compared with other C-Max years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201320142015201620172018
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Avoid100187840
2014Avoid80808 !39
2015Caution6052639
2016Good4022339
2017Best2015140

All Ford C-Max years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Ford C-Max a good year to buy?
NHTSA data gives the 2015 C-Max a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst out of 6 model years with a Complaint Index of 60. Later years like 2016, 2017, and 2018 score lower on this index and carry Good or Best verdicts.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford C-Max?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, making up 19% of complaints, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 17% and Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 13%.
Does the 2015 Ford C-Max have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2015 C-Max, covering the rearview camera, shifter cable bushing, door latches, body control module software, structure/latch inspection, and the 120V convenience charge cord.
At what mileage do 2015 C-Max problems typically show up?
Median mileage at failure across complaints is 42,500 miles overall, with Electrical System issues showing up at a median of 38,173 miles and Airbag issues at 28,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.