YearToAvoid

2016 Ford C-Max Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#4 most-complained of 6 C-Max years

The 2016 Ford C-Max has 22 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 40, ranking 4th-worst among 6 model years and earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other C-Max years. It carries 3 recalls, including a rearview camera and shift-cable bushing issue.

Complaints
22
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
39
41 city / 36 hwy

Top 2016 Ford C-Max problems

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

  1. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (23%)
  2. Other5 (23%)
  3. Brakes2 (9%)
  4. Electrical System2 (9%)
  5. Engine2 (9%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (9%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain2 (9%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers2 (9%)
  9. Airbags1 (5%)
  10. Fuel System1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Vehicle reportedly accelerated independently while coming to a stop in a parking lot, with unclear brake or gear status at the time.
  • Electronic throttle body contamination triggered a protective low-speed 'limp mode' at highway speed.
  • Hybrid system shut down at highway speed with a 'stop now pull over' warning, requiring a tow.
  • Brakes showed rust and required replacement at low mileage, with owners saying it was not covered under warranty.
  • Strut braces failed on one side of the suspension and then the other side a short time later, producing a clunking sound from the undercarriage.
  • Rear tires wore out repeatedly, raising concern about potential blowouts.
2016 Ford C-Max complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2016Jun 2018Apr 2019May 2021Jan 2022Feb 2025Sep 2026
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2017 (3).

2016 Ford C-Max recalls

3 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 17V052000Jan 24, 2017Structure & Body17 vehicles

    Structure:body

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.

    Risk: 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.

2016 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.

2016 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
2014Avoid80808 !39
2015Caution6052639
2016Good4022339
2017Best2015140
2018Best010140

All Ford C-Max years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Ford C-Max reliable?
NHTSA lists 22 complaints and a Complaint Index of 40 for the 2016 C-Max, giving it a 'Good' verdict and a rank of 4th-worst out of 6 model years, meaning it performs better than most other C-Max years on owner complaints.
What problems does the 2016 Ford C-Max have?
The top problem area is Collision Avoidance & Cameras, with 5 complaints (23% share) and a median failure mileage of 88,000 miles. Other areas include Brakes, Electrical System, Engine, Suspension, and Transmission & Powertrain, each with 2 complaints.
Does the 2016 Ford C-Max have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: a rearview camera inspection/replacement campaign, a shift-cable bushing fix for the transmission, and a floor pan weld inspection for improperly welded apron joints.
Should I avoid the 2016 Ford C-Max?
No. Compared to other C-Max years, 2016 is rated 'Good' with a Complaint Index of 40, far below the 2013 model year's index of 100, which is rated 'Avoid'.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Ford C-Max?
The 2016 C-Max is EPA-rated at 39 mpg combined (41 city / 36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,650.

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.