The 2016 Ford C-Max is associated with 7 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Back Over Prevention / Camera, accounting for 2 reports (29% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 2 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2L 4-Cyl hybrid and 2L 4-Cyl plug-in hybrid configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 39 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 88 MPGe (38 MPG on gasoline) with up to 20 miles of electric driving range. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 7 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Back Over Prevention / Camera (2 / 29%)
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 39 MPG (2 variants • PHEV up to 88 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| C-MAX Hybrid FWD Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 41 MPG | 36 MPG | 39 MPG | — | $1,600 / yr |
| C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 95 MPGe (40 MPG) | 81 MPGe (36 MPG) | 88 MPGe (38 MPG) | 20 mi EV (550 mi total) | $1,600 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2016 Ford C-Max provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 20 miles on a single battery charge.
NHTSA 5-Star NCAP laboratory crash evaluations are not currently on file for the 2016 Ford C-Max.
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Not Specified and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Not Specified in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Ford C-Max models.
View complete 2016 Ford C-Max crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Ford C-Max problems & component breakdown (6 categories) →
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Ford C-Max recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →