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Ford C-Max VIN Check

NHTSA holds 20 owner complaints on the Ford C-Max from 17 production runs; the worst run has 2, the typical one 1.2.

NHTSA complaint records · 20 complaints · 17 runs · 2013–2017 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported C-Max run is 1FADP5CU3FL (2015 builds) with 2 complaints, 1.7× the typical run. Back over prevention problems make up 52% of reports; 2016 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for C-Max model years 2013–2018.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford C-Max has 17 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 40% of every C-Max complaint on file.

FIG.01·Ford C-Max — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1FADP5CU3FL••••••201521—
1FADP5CU9GL••••••20162——
1FADP5BU6GL••••••20162——
1FADP5BU5DL••••••20131——
1FADP5CU8EL••••••20141——
1FADP5BU9FL••••••20151——
1FADP5CU4FL••••••20151——
1FADP5BU4FL••••••20151——
1FADP5BU5FL••••••201511—
1FADP5BU6FL••••••20151——
1FADP5AU8GL••••••20161——
1FADP5AU8HL••••••20171——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 5 C-Max runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 28 C-Max VINs so far, most often 2013, 2014, 2016 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford C-Max the gap between build years is 1.1×: a 2016 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 2015 one 1.2.

FIG.02·Ford C-Max — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20161.3108—
20151.2762
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2016 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2015 at 1.2.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 52% of everything Ford C-Max owners report: Back Over Prevention, 11 of 20 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Ford C-Max — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Back Over Prevention111—
Unknown Or Other3——
Electrical System2——
Tires1——
Air Bags11—
Vehicle Speed Control1——
Power Train1——
Service Brakes1——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 12 recall campaigns on the Ford C-Max; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2018. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Ford C-Max — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
22V413000Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)2013–2018
18V592000Equipment:electrical2013–2015
16V643000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch2013–2015
20V331000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch2013–2015
25V695000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera2015–2016
14V597000Air Bags2013–2014
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

22V413000 was opened in 2022 on cars built from 2013: 9 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 20 reports on the Ford C-Max, 10% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Ford C-Max — complaint severity
OutcomeFord C-MaxAll vehicles
Complaints filed201,116,631
Involved a crash2 (10%)64,221 (5.8%)
Involved a fire0 (0%)26,977 (2.4%)
Injuries reported158,047
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 72% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Ford C-Max share of that is 20 complaints over 17 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Ford C-Max
Recalls29 campaignsFuel economy40 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems20 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space24 cu ftUsed prices536 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2013–2018

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Ford C-Max VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 20 NHTSA complaints from 17 C-Max runs and 12 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which C-Max production run has the most complaints?

1FADP5CU3FL, a 2015 build, with 2 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical C-Max run has 1.2.

Which C-Max years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2016 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 2015 lightest at 1.2.

How many C-Max complaints involve a crash?

10% of 20 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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