2016 Ford C-Max: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 21 owner complaints on record; most reports concern back over prevention; the 2018 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The backup camera doesn't regularly function, ranging from 15% to 75% of the time. A tire man with prior experience in a Ford dealership recommended checking for an electronics update to the system. There may be a worsening functionality when the weather is wet, but that's not a clear correlation.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · May 2023
“Both this 2016 and my 2013 ford c-max hybrid have the backup cameras failing. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they have a black or blue screen than pops up and it says camera unavailable. I know there is a recent recall for other fords with backup camera issues, but the c-max sells much lower volumes so it is harder to get the same exact problem recalled.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Jan 2022
“I was driving slowly leaving a supermarket parking lot. There was no one else around. There was a sudden loud bang, the car lurched upward and to the right, coming to rest over a curb hanging down a ditch. The front end started to smoke and then caught fire. The car was a total loss. There had been no impact. I was able to escape down the ditch with the help of police and the fire department put out the fire. The first 2 pictures are on the scene; the remainder in the tow lot. Friends have suggested that perhaps the hybrid battery exploded.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Rear backup camera intermittently does not show any image on the screen. When this happens the screen is either blue or black and camera image either flashes in and out or never shows up at all. This happens approximately 10% of the time the vehicle is put in reverse - the rest of the time the camera works normally.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2021
“The passenger-side bottom corner of the windshield has become unglued. A glass repair shop informed us that the front passenger air bad deploys off of the windshield. In the event of an accident, the passenger side front air bag may not function properly, resulting in increased risk of injury to the front seat passenger. We noticed the right bottom corner of the windshield lifting up when we were cleaning the windshield from the inside. The vehicle is being taken to ford for a diagnostic evaluation, but all warranties have expired.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the display screen would not display any images and not allow the contact to use any of the functions. The contact also stated that sometimes it would take up to 5 minutes for the display screen to engage. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford c-max. While driving approximately 15 mph downhill, the "stop safely now" and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle stalled and the contact cruised down a hill into a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was towed to formula ford inc (located at 265 river st, montpellier, vt 05601, 802-223-5201) who stated that the sobd module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was still awaiting approval on the part for the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2019
“Intermittent inability to control speed. Finally got an error code of p2112 (throttle actuator control system) while in motion and vibration because the battery does not engage properly”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2018
“2017 cmax clunking sound coming from undercarriage of vehicle. Strut brace failure on one side of vehicle at around 12,000 miles. Then the other side strut brace failed a few thousand miles later.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2018
“My 2016 ford c-max with 10000 miles has brake issues... According to the dealer the brakes are rusted and need replaced for $1000.00. Seriously, a vehicle with 10000 miles has bad brakes and not covered by the ford warranty..... I hope nothing happens while my wife is driving the car as she does not feel safe.....”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
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.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S03.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact C-Max by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford C-Max reliable?
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Ford C-Max. The most complained-about area is back over prevention.
Does the 2016 Ford C-Max have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning back over prevention: sensing system: camera. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.