Approach with caution: airbag failures to deploy are a critical safety defect that makes this a high-risk used purchase.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
Specifications by model year
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Horsepower | Torque | Engine configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | hatchback | — | Electronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT) | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2017 | hatchback | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | hatchback | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | hatchback | Horsepower: 188 hp, Torque: 129 lb-ft, Engine configuration: Inline-4 | eCVT | FWD | 188 hp | 129 lb-ft | Inline-4 |
| 2014 | hatchback | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | hatchback | Horsepower: 141-188 hp, Torque: 129-177 lb-ft, Engine configuration: Inline-4 | CVT | FWD | 141-188 hp | 129-177 lb-ft | Inline-4 |
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | msrp | Base price | Trim | pricing | currency | Base MSRP | MSRP range | Confidence | notes | Source | estimatedAt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | — | $27,275 | TITANIUM FHEV | Base price: $27,275, Trim: TITANIUM FHEV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | $27,175 | SE PHEV | Base price: $27,175, Trim: SE PHEV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $25,200, MSRP range: $25,200 - $33,745, Confidence: 0.9, notes: MSRP for the 2013 model year, ranging from SE to Energi SEL trims., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 4/29/2026 | — | — | — | USD | $25,200 | $25,200 - $33,745 | 0.9 | MSRP for the 2013 model year, ranging from SE to Energi SEL trims. | llm_estimate | 4/29/2026 |
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | Keyless ignition | Steering location | Seat rows | GVWR | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel | bodyAndInterior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 5 | — | — | Standard | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | 104.3 | 17 | 17 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 | — | — | Standard | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | 104.3 | 17 | 17 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2016 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 5 | 4 | 694 | 24.5 | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | autoBrake | blindSpotMonitoring | rearCamera | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | forwardCollisionWarning | parkAssist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2017 | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | optional | optional |
| 2016 | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Model year reports
Approach with caution: airbag failures to deploy are a critical safety defect that makes this a high-risk used purchase.
The 2017 Ford C-Max is rated as average for reliability.
The 2016 Ford C-Max presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant electrical system issues that can lead to critical powertrain failures and safety concerns.
Approach the 2015 Ford C-Max with caution; its below-average reliability, particularly concerning power steering failure, makes it a high-risk used purchase.
Approach the 2014 Ford C-Max with caution; its below-average reliability is primarily driven by significant concerns with the steering system, which can lead to a sudden loss of power assist.
Approach the 2013 Ford C-Max with caution; its below-average reliability is primarily driven by significant issues with the steering system, specifically sudden loss of power assist.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
Carfocal currently has 6 published C-Max reports, covering 2013 through 2018. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: Approach with caution: airbag failures to deploy are a critical safety defect that makes this a high-risk used purchase.
Published year coverage: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
There is no single reliability answer for every Ford C-Max. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include approach with caution: airbag failures to deploy are a critical safety defect that makes this a high-risk used purchase. and the 2018 ford c-max's value is significantly impacted by its documented safety concerns, particularly airbag failures and steering issues. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
6 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
Across Carfocal's published C-Max guides, recurring problem areas include Steering Rack/Electric Power Steering Motor, Junction Box/Body Control Module (BCM), and Airbag Control Module/Sensors. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Steering Rack/Electric Power Steering Motor, Junction Box/Body Control Module (BCM), and Airbag Control Module/Sensors.