2014 Ford C-Max Owner Complaints

Major electrical issues, including rear view camera not working, vehicle starting when no key fob is in or near the vehicle, tail lights burning out even after replacement, one taillight blinking faster than the other, screen for infotainment not turning on, all of a sudden vehicle not starting with complete battery drainage even after vehicle was just charged. And too many other issues to name, my year vehicle has many of the same issues that have been reported for both a 2015 and a 2016 Ford Cmax energi yet my year does not have the same recall notices despite the same issues. My vehicle has very low miles I believe less than 100,000

NHTSA ID

11753199

Incident

Oct 4, 2025

For the last couple of years I've had a problem with the backup camera it goes out randomly sometimes the picture turns upside down sometimes it's just a black screen sometimes there is a thing that says see the dealer. It's intermittent it's unexpected and other Ford years have been recalled for the same problem but for whatever reason they're not including my 2014 in the recall. I just had someone come pick up my car for another service and I had to warn them that it doesn't work so it doesn't surprise that. If you pretend it doesn't exist then you can use your observations as we were taught but if you are expecting a backup camera to keep you safe it is unreliable glitchy and unsafe

NHTSA ID

11737348

Incident

May 1, 2023

My 2014 Ford Cmax Energi is unable to exceed 80 MPH. This is due to Ford MyKey systems not allowing other keys to be made for the vehicle without restrictions being applied. Because I had to get a new key made, my car now is unable to go over 80MPH. In Arizona, the flow of traffic is quick and intense. I am unable to reliably drive on the freeway because of how my car is restricted. Ford refuses to do anything about it.

NHTSA ID

11729773

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

While car shopping, I found a Ford hybrid listed with ~40,760 miles. Its public history shows a severe, unexplained odometer discrepancy. In September 2022, mileage was ~38,353. By May 2023, it spiked to 392,484. The current title shows 40,760 miles marked with a † (dagger), indicating "mileage discrepancy" or "not actual mileage." The seller is marketing it as a low-mileage vehicle. This misrepresentation poses a serious safety risk. A car with potentially 400,000+ miles of wear is being sold as having only ~40,000. Critical safety components like brakes, suspension, tires, and the hybrid battery system degrade with use. Concealing this extreme wear risks mechanical failure, endangering the buyer and others on the road. The problem is documented in the vehicle history report. I did not purchase the car. This appears to be odometer fraud and title washing, turning a high-mileage vehicle into a deceptively "low-mileage" sale, creating a significant safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11702942

Incident

Dec 4, 2025

Backup camera nonfunctional. Will occasionally work or be upside down.

NHTSA ID

11672747

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-MAX. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH with all four windows closed, there was a strong abnormal odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact then opened all the windows allowing the odor to release, and the abnormal odor was not as potent. The contact later inspected the vehicle and discovered that the original Volvo battery could be emitting a toxic substance that was entering the vehicle; the battery was original equipment. The contact sustained dizziness and difficulty breathing. Medical attention was not sought. This occurred on several different occasions. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was drivable and was taken to the place of residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,500.

NHTSA ID

11617872

Incident

Sep 11, 2024

Mileage

131,500 mi

Recall Number18S24 My car had 3 recalls so I contacted the Legacy Ford dealer in McDonough on [XXX] and made an appointment on [XXX]. When we brought the car, dealer didn't fix the recall above saying they didn't have parts even though we made an appointment over 2 months before. They told us they will let us know when they gets the parts, but it's been over 2 weeks and they don't contact us or respond any of our email. And since we brought our car to dealer, the car stop charging from charging cord. They said they didn't do anything about that and if we want diagnostic, they will charge for $150. I just wanted to fix all of the recall so I bought the car but feel like I just brought it to break my car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11602481

Incident

Jun 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a tune-up and to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the axle was loosened, and the bushing was damaged, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHSTA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11596882

Incident

Jun 26, 2024

Mileage

106,000 mi

When I first drive it with battery-only mode (about 15 miles), it is quiet. When the engine kicks in, there is a loud whining noise when driving it on the streets or on highways and even on idle. I took it to Ford dealership they said it is the transmission and they can not repair just some parts of it, so it needs a brand new transmission to the tune of $8000. At only 110k miles, I could not drive it past 15 miles of battery range.

NHTSA ID

11587106

Incident

Nov 3, 2023

Transmission failed at 80,000 miles, replaced at ford dealership, failed again at 105,000 miles, just 2 years after replacement.

NHTSA ID

11581402

Incident

Apr 3, 2024

System: Electric Power Steering assist module failed on engine start up. Safety: Without power steering it is extremely difficult to steer the car manually which could cause an accident and/or bodily injury. This is a well known problem with the Ford cMax which has created a recall for earlier model years of the cMax (but my 2014 model is not covered under previous recalls). Inspection: Vehicle is at the Ford dealership and has been diagnosed with a failed Power Steering module and is currently under parts replacement. Warnings: On 8 Feb 2014 during engine start, I warning window was displayed that said "Service Power Steering". Same warning window appeared the following morning when car was started. I drove it carefully to the dealership for repair.

NHTSA ID

11571042

Incident

Feb 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to make a left or right turn, there was a squeaking sound coming from the front passenger’s side wheel. The sound occurred while driving over a bump in the roadway and while accelerating. The tire pressure sensor failure warning light had been illuminated. The contact learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V514000 (Steering) and believed that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and was confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V514000 (Steering). The manufacturer also confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V331000 (Latches, Locks, Linkages) and 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 307,868.

NHTSA ID

11564892

Incident

Dec 25, 2023

Mileage

307,868 mi

The airbags did not deploy upon collision

NHTSA ID

11562694

Incident

Sep 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera was inoperable. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera displayed images upside down. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear door latch was inoperable and failed to lock as needed. The contact also stated that the hatchback latch failed to close without excessive force. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured cable inside the hatchback. The contact was informed that the cable needed to be replaced. The contact previously experienced electrical failure with the electrical system and the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the electrical failure was covered under warranty. The contact stated that the failure with the passenger-side rear door and the back-over prevention camera had not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11558398

Incident

Nov 18, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

While driving my 2014 Ford CMAX Hybrid, I struck a deer at approximately 55 mph. There is moderate damage to my front end, but during the crash, my airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ID

11536821

Incident

Jul 19, 2023

2014 FORD C-MAX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SEVERAL DEFECTS ON VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL DEFECTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1.-)UPDATING THE PCM SOFTWARE AND THE REPLACE THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE. 2.-)TRANSMISSION FAILURES WHEN CHANGING GEARS. 3.-) INFORMATION FAILURES FROM THE COMPUTER ABOUT THE ENGINE OIL CHANGE INDICATING THE OIL CHANGE WASN'T MADE. 4.- )REAR DOOR LOCK FAILURES.

NHTSA ID

11516459

Incident

Apr 11, 2023

Electric power steering assist failed. Started intermittent and cleared on restart of the vehicle. Now complete failure within 2 days of first alert. Spouse was going to drive the vehicle after the vehicle was parked overnight and when she started the vehicle the power steering was inactive and the warnings were displayed and audible. Warning and alarm to "Service Power Steering" is still active and cannot be cleared. We are currently traveling and will not be home for months and must drive the vehicle without power steering assist. My spouse cannot drive the vehicle with this malfunction. We have researched for solutions and have found that this is a common failure for 2014 Ford Cmax Hybrid and there is not a fix other than complete replacement of the Power Steering Motor and Rack Assembly. The safety and health of myself, passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and even animals is the risk especially if this component(s) fails during active driving and it has according to social media posts and blogs. We have tried to have the vehicle diagnosed by dealerships, but they cannot get the vehicle in for service in any time frame that does not come with significant inconveniences and financial loss. Dealers will not order a part without first diagnosing the problem and cannot schedule an appointment any time soon. I contacted Ford Support directly and they confirmed that steering components have been recalled on 2014 Ford Cmax based on production dates, however, our Cmax was built outside of those parameters. We have logged case number: CAS40982963 with Ford.

NHTSA ID

11503463

Incident

Jan 19, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that the rear liftgate was opening independently. The contact stated that upon investigating the failure, he noticed that the failure was related to the original key fob of the vehicle. The contact stated that the key fob button that engaged the liftgate was two times press button; however, the key fob would engage the liftgate unintendedly when the key fob button was in contact with any object or surface. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned that the failure could occur while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11497730

Incident

Dec 16, 2022

Mileage

78,000 mi

Complete failure of the steering without any warning, Was not able to steer the car. The dealership diagnosed the cause is a failure of the steering Rack Pinion which needed to be replaced. I understand that the 2014 Ford C-Max has a recall on the Steering Rack Pinion, but for some reason my car was not included in this recall. It is obviously it should been included.

NHTSA ID

11497005

Incident

Nov 19, 2022

Folded down rear seat. Found both seatbelt (receiver) anchor bolts had not been attached to the nuts on the floor pan.

NHTSA ID

11491418

Incident

Oct 29, 2022

Swollen lug nuts

NHTSA ID

11484461

Incident

Sep 12, 2022

I had a flat tire and I was unable to remove the lug nuts. I was on the freeway creating a hazardous condition. The lug nuts had cover on them and standard lug nuts could not remove the tire. You needed a lug nut that is 1/2 mm larger. Ridiculous!! We had to call a tow truck and take the vehicle to the Ford Service Center to remove the lug nut and tire, which was an unnecessary expense that Ford made money on. What a joke!

NHTSA ID

11483115

Incident

Aug 3, 2022

Rear-view camera sporadically freezes, turns upside down - will see people walking behind, and then suddenly the image will freeze. This is a major major safety issue and I suspect people may even be killed due to this camera failure. I had numerous situations where the camera would (mid backup) FREEZE the image, resulting in the driver (myself) thinking that nobody was walking behind my vehicle! This needs to be investigated and perhaps the rear-view camera systems recalled on ALL Ford C-maxes as I am seeing many other reports of this happening as well

NHTSA ID

11482288

Incident

Aug 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the hatchback door opened independently. The warning light indicating that the hatchback was opened was illuminated. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle from the dealer after NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Lock/Linkages) recall repair was performed, the hatchback ajar warning light remained illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the cause of the failure was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

NHTSA ID

11481181

Incident

Aug 25, 2022

Mileage

76,000 mi

Ever since we brought the car to a Ford dealership for a recall on the back door latch we have had issues with the battery. We have to jump start it every day.

NHTSA ID

11480312

Incident

Jun 9, 2022