YearToAvoid

2018 Ford C-Max Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#6 most-complained of 6 C-Max years

The 2018 Ford C-Max ranks best among the 6 model years covered, with a complaint index of 0, 10 complaints, and 1 recall. Its top reported issue is airbags, but overall problem levels are the lowest in the lineup.

Complaints
10
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
40
42 city / 38 hwy

Top 2018 Ford C-Max problems

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

  1. Airbags2 (20%)
  2. Electrical System2 (20%)
  3. Steering2 (20%)
  4. Fuel System1 (10%)
  5. Other1 (10%)
  6. Seat Belts1 (10%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (10%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (10%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (10%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end crash despite sensor damage, according to one owner.
  • Electric-assist power steering caused the vehicle to wander in-lane at highway speeds above 40 mph, requiring frequent correction.
  • Strut braces cracked or failed repeatedly, roughly every 10,000 miles, causing a rattling or clunking noise from the undercarriage.
  • Electrical faults appeared across multiple systems at once, including the touchscreen, door handles, phone charging, and dash presets, eventually leading to a no-start condition.
  • A rear seat belt tightened on its own around a child while buckled into a car seat and could not be released.
  • The transmission caused the vehicle to stall and lose power after coming to a stop, then return to normal until the failure recurred.
2018 Ford C-Max complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2018Feb 2020Sep 2022Aug 2023Nov 2023
12 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2018 to Nov 2023; peak Feb 2020 (3).

2018 Ford C-Max recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2018 Ford C-Max fuel economy and fuel cost

City
42 MPG
Highway
38 MPG
Combined
40 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,600
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.

2018 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
2016Good4022339
2017Best2015140
2018Best010140

All Ford C-Max years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Ford C-Max reliable?
Among the 6 model years with data, 2018 has the lowest complaint index (0) and is ranked best. It has only 10 complaints and 1 recall.
What problems does the 2018 Ford C-Max have?
NHTSA lists complaints split evenly across airbags, electrical system, and steering, each making up 20% of complaints. Other reported areas include fuel system, seat belts, suspension, transmission, and visibility.
Does the 2018 Ford C-Max have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 22V413000) covers a transmission shift cable bushing issue. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does 2018 compare to other Ford C-Max years?
2018 is the best-ranked year, with a complaint index of 0 versus 100 for 2013 and 80 for 2014, the two years labeled Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Ford C-Max?
EPA rates it at 40 mpg combined (42 city / 38 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,600.

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.