2015 FORD C-MAX Complaints and Recall Information
The 2015 FORD C-MAX has 6 complaints and 9 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the ABS module malfunction and brake system failures. Several complaints also include problems with power steering and brake pedal systems, creating safety concerns during normal vehicle operation.
Common Issues- ABS module failure. Vehicles abruptly stop with dashboard warning lights flashing, accompanied by growling noises and electrical burning smells. Dealers have confirmed ABS module malfunctions requiring part replacement after extended backorders.
- Power steering faults. Power steering fault lights activate causing stiff or stuck steering wheels, making steering difficult especially after driving over bumps.
- Brake system defects. Brake lights remain on even when the ignition is off, and vehicles can start or shift out of park without pressing the brake pedal. Problems with the brake pedal stop bumper have been identified but parts are unavailable under recall repairs.
- Rear cross traffic sensor failure. Sensors stop working unexpectedly, reducing the effectiveness of safety assistance features.
There are 9 recalls concerning various systems on the 2015 FORD C-MAX. These affect components such as the ignition system, shift linkage, door latches, and electrical equipment. The recalls address risks including unintended vehicle movement, door opening during motion, fire hazards from charging cords, and improper door latch repairs.
Recalls- Ignition system. (NHTSA recall 15V436000) About 374,781 vehicles are affected. The engine may continue running after the ignition is turned off, increasing crash risk due to unintended vehicle movement. Dealers update body control module software free of charge.
- Shift linkage bushing. (NHTSA recall 22V413000) Over 2.9 million vehicles across multiple models including 2015 C-MAX are affected. The bushing attaching the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach, preventing proper gear selection and causing unexpected vehicle movement or rollaway risk. Dealers replace the bushing and add a protective cap at no cost.
- Door latches. (NHTSA recalls 20V331000 and 16V643000) Affecting over 2 million vehicles, door latch components may fail causing doors to open while driving or giving false secure closure indications. Dealers inspect and replace latches with improved parts free of charge.
- Convenience charge cords. (NHTSA recall 18V592000) Approximately 49,197 vehicles with 120V charge cords lacking thermistors are impacted. Cords may overheat and melt during charging, creating fire hazards. Dealers replace cords with thermistor-equipped versions for free.
Owners facing repeated repairs, brake or steering defects, or unresolved recall issues may have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting with a qualified attorney can help determine potential options for relief.
2015 FORD C-MAX Summary
2015
Model Year
6
Total Complaints
5
Total Recalls
7543566
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2015 FORD C-MAX
2925968 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
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.
2015 FORD C-MAX
2147323 vehicles affected
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.
2015 FORD C-MAX
49197 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.
Risk: An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.
2015 FORD C-MAX
2046297 vehicles affected
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching 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.
2015 FORD C-MAX
374781 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the engine does not turn off as expected, someone could move the transmission shifter out of park and the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2015 FORD C-MAX
ID: 2110543BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
There has been no accident yet but this is a safety hazard. My vehicle is under 100,000 miles and the part should be replaced by the dealership. The rear cross traffic assistance sensor may be damaged. It just stopped working this week.
2015 FORD C-MAX
ID: 2110542BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
There has been no accident yet but this is a safety hazard. My vehicle is under 100,000 miles and the part should be replaced by the dealership. The rear cross traffic assistance sensor may be damaged. It just stopped working this week.
2015 FORD C-MAX
ID: 2094728EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When I went to the garage, I noticed my brake lights were on, but the ignition was not. I tested the car, it started without me stepping on the brake. I could also move the car out of park without stepping on the brakes. I thought the switch on the brake pedal had failed and so I took it to my mechanic for replacement. The mechanic tested the switch and found it okay. However, he had seen the same problem in other Fords (Recall # 22V-011 or 22S02) and it involved the Pedal Stop Bumper deteriorating. The recall indicated it would replace only the Pedal Stop Bumper. My mechanic said that replacement part wasn't available to them. So, I took it to the dealer hoping that since I had the same problem, I was included in the recall. My C-Max was not listed. They said that that the Pedal Stop Bumper replacement part wasn't available for my car, and that they would have to replace the entire brake pedal system for an outrageous $1400. I had little choice, and so I agreed with the hope that Ford would provide some relief. They didn't. Instead, they said hang onto the receipts and maybe someday there will be a recall, and I'll be reimbursed. So now I'm writing you. Clearly, this was considered to be a safety hazard in the other Ford products, and I believe it to be exactly the same in mine: brake lights always on are a safety hazard as well as being able to shift the car out of park or start the car without depressing the brake. Moreover, the battery will run down unless I disconnect it at night. Basically, my car is unsafe to drive without this repair.
2015 FORD C-MAX
ID: 2082634STEERING
The issues that I am having is with the power staring at this. On my way back from dropping off my child I entered the apartment complex and drove over a speed bump and that’s when the fault light came on about the power steering. I noticed that when the light came on my steering wheel started to stiffen however, it’s when I got home and took my car off that the steering wheel became stuck and needed more power to turn the wheel. This is the first time I’m ever seeing this issue, but my ABS tire light is the only light that has remained on since purchasing the vehicle a few months ago. I have already contacted Ford to see about what they could do, and I was instructed that this particular vehicle did not have a recall while others do which highly concerns me. Upon further research, I found out that this is a common occurrence since 2014 with these models.
2015 FORD C-MAX
ID: 2056084ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ford 2015 CMax Energi with 41,000 miles. I was driving on a 2 Lane Highway coming to a stoplight and had to press the brakes firmly to avoid an accident at which time my 2015 CMax Energi abruptly stopped w a growling noise,. The dashboard lit up like Christmas. I observed The ABS system/ABS module failure/malfunctioned lights. 2015 C Max Energi was available for inspection when I brought it to the dealership and verified it was ABS Module that had malfunctioned. I was told by the dealership for my safety and others not to drive the car. Sawgrass Ford retained my car for repairs. Sawgrass Ford as well as family and friends stated that my safety and the safety of others were at risk because of the obvious reliability of brake failure. Brake failure could lead to death to me and anyone else on the roads/highway. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer@ Sawgrass Ford Sunrise Florida. The vehicle and the component has been inspected by the dealership because it was repaired once the part , which took about 2 1/2 months due to parts being backorder from Ford Corporation. Ford has MANY previous ABS MODULE recalls on several of their MODELS, but the CMax Energi isn’t due to it not being a popular car. I’ve researched through the Internet and forums and found that this is a common problem for the CMax Energi. I retained the damaged parts and have them enclosed w photo of damaged parts and the box that contained the new parts. Additionally, when the brakes were applied the car lurch and jerked, and additionally, there was the “smelling of electrical burning “ Bright red warning lights. AAA was called an immediately was towed to the dealership around mid November. Dealership got in touch with me November 23 and ordered the part FV672C219. At that time I was told that the part would not be available and it was on backorder. Ford corporation 800-392-3673 and confirmed b/o
2015 FORD C-MAX
ID: 2056083SERVICE BRAKES
Ford 2015 CMax Energi with 41,000 miles. I was driving on a 2 Lane Highway coming to a stoplight and had to press the brakes firmly to avoid an accident at which time my 2015 CMax Energi abruptly stopped w a growling noise,. The dashboard lit up like Christmas. I observed The ABS system/ABS module failure/malfunctioned lights. 2015 C Max Energi was available for inspection when I brought it to the dealership and verified it was ABS Module that had malfunctioned. I was told by the dealership for my safety and others not to drive the car. Sawgrass Ford retained my car for repairs. Sawgrass Ford as well as family and friends stated that my safety and the safety of others were at risk because of the obvious reliability of brake failure. Brake failure could lead to death to me and anyone else on the roads/highway. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer@ Sawgrass Ford Sunrise Florida. The vehicle and the component has been inspected by the dealership because it was repaired once the part , which took about 2 1/2 months due to parts being backorder from Ford Corporation. Ford has MANY previous ABS MODULE recalls on several of their MODELS, but the CMax Energi isn’t due to it not being a popular car. I’ve researched through the Internet and forums and found that this is a common problem for the CMax Energi. I retained the damaged parts and have them enclosed w photo of damaged parts and the box that contained the new parts. Additionally, when the brakes were applied the car lurch and jerked, and additionally, there was the “smelling of electrical burning “ Bright red warning lights. AAA was called an immediately was towed to the dealership around mid November. Dealership got in touch with me November 23 and ordered the part FV672C219. At that time I was told that the part would not be available and it was on backorder. Ford corporation 800-392-3673 and confirmed b/o