2016 Ford C-Max Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Ford C-Max.

20152017
Complaints
40
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2016 Ford C-Max Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#18 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:49,793 mi
#24 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:1
#32 complaints

Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Ford C-Max.

Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
49,793
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brake Master Cylinder
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheels:Hub
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Ford C-Max. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Ford C-Max

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,374,640 vehicles.

25V695000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~1,448,655 affected

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.

22V413000Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
~2,925,968 affected

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.

17V052000Body Structure
~17 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.

Other Ford C-Max Years

2016 Ford C-Max — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Ford C-Max reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2016 Ford C-Max has 40 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Ford C-Max?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (8 complaints, avg 49,793 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (4 complaints); Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Ford C-Max?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 49,793 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Ford C-Max?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Ford C-Max include 4 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Ford C-Max have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,374,640 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Ford C-Max?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford C-Max reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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