10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,271 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Ford C-Max drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2015 Ford C-Max:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2015 Ford C-Max Owner Comments

problem #7

Jun 152023

C-Max

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A low rumbling noise seemingly situated at the right front (passenger) tire started with no warning approximately two months prior; no warning lights came on, the car did not change its driving--only a low rumbling noise which increased in revolutions with acceleration and quietened with braking and when in neutral--emerged. I subsequently took the car to a local mechanic to evaluate if the brakes were failing but in his diagnosis, he thought the likely cause to be internal to the transmission--a finding now confirmed by two other mechanics, including the Ford dealership. However, in researching this issue, a Technical Service Bulletin (20-2219) outlining this known issue with the transmission of the 2013-2016 Ford C-max built before August 2015 (mine was built in April 2015) popped up, issued June 2020. My car is now marginally outside of warranty at 112,000 miles but this known issue is one that makes the car a danger to drive-both to myself and other drivers on the road-as no warning has come on, the sound is deceptively benign and yet if the transmission fails while on a highway or other fast-paced motorway, there could be a significant accident that ensues. Given that Ford is aware of this fault in their transmission builds with no prior warning to owners of these cars, this puts road safety of the C-max driver/passengers and others concurrently on the road at significant risk. I am baffled as to why this issue has not been recalled given its severity and the risk of it occurring just outside of warranty when costs to replace the transmission are exorbitant.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #6

Jan 152022

C-Max

  • 142,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear became difficult. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #5

Apr 012019

C-Max 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-max. The contact stated that while driving in non-eco mode, the vehicle failed to maintain highway speeds and decelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer origin located at 6400 N 51st ave, glendale, AZ 85301, and was diagnosed with a defective transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 55,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #4

Jul 102017

C-Max

  • 38,173 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle is not holding ev now/later modes causing unexpected battery usage and fuel consumption. An example is traveling highway speeds (70-75 mph); vehicle will unexpectedly switch into auto mode and revert from gas/hybrid performance to electric/battery only performance which is reduced power and response again at highway speeds. This is not always the case as I have found this to happen before I enter the highway and can adjust my drive accordingly. Additionally, this happens in ev now mode which holds the electric engine to prevent gas use at all but the system will inadvertently switch to the auto mode. Condition is extremely sporadic and difficult to replicate most times will happen without throwing a check engine light code. Fortunately I do have a few instances where a code was thrown and I was able to have the dealer take a look and make some warranty repairs none of which have resolved the issue as it still comes back in the same random form. Attached are the several dealer visits to address the concern and after several visits, the transmission pump module seems to be a repeat issue. Unfortunately not sure if this is the cause of the modes not holding as it should.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #3

Sep 162017

C-Max

  • 36,725 miles
Driving my 2015 Ford C-max and all of a sudden I lose power. I press the gas and nothing. I was driving through a intersection and had to coast to the side of the rode. Big red triangle show up saying "stop safely now". car has been at the dealer for 4 days, they are trying to find the problem. I have read online about this problem with multiple Ford vehicles and a recall was called for the Focus. I guess Ford is to big to go after and the ntsb drags there feet like no other. Call for a recall on all vehicles that "stop safely now'. will you wait until people die to do something!!

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #2

Feb 022017

C-Max

  • 40,000 miles
1. on taking a trip from panama city beach, fl to indianapolis, in this cmax was parked & locked in the northwest Florida beaches parking lot at approximately 9 am cst 2. at approximately 4:30 pm est a telephone call was received from the airport police informing me that the cmax was in the parking lot running with the lights on and I was asked to go to the parking lot and turn the automobile off. After I informed the officer that I was in Indiana and could not comply with the request, I proceeded to make numerous telephone calls; Ford Motor Company, gary smith Ford and others in an attempt to have the cmax turned off but was told it could not be done. I then returned officer's call and asked that they go to the parking lot, break the drivers window, and press the start/stop button to turn the cmax off. The officer called me back to inform me that when they went to the lot, the cmax was not running and the lights were off. 3. upon returning to the airport on 2/8 I had to use the key to access the cmax since the battery was dead and the gas tank was empty. 4. a jumper battery was used and fuel was added to enable the cmax to run. 5. this vehicle has numerous indicators, audible and visual to alert the driver if exiting the vehicle while the car is in the run mode. The exit from the cmax on 2/2 was normal. Nothing was on. The locking indication was normal and no lights were on ( I keep the headlight switch in the position where if the vehicle is in the run mode, the lights are on ). this problem had to have been caused by a signal from an aircraft or a radio, radar with enough power to broadcast some distance. 6. my concern is that if this type ignition system can be turned on accidentally, it could also be turned off accidentally and that could be disastrous if the vehicle turned off while in motion causing the driver to lose control.

- Alford, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 132016

C-Max

  • 5,000 miles
Reverse gear setting actually put the car in drive after starting the parked car nd attempting to back out ofparking space. I tried turning off engine, and the same thing occurred, the car continued to creep forward until the car made contact with the parking space sign. This is not a small issue as 1) it probably occurred previously with the same model in the same fleet and leaser charged me upward of five hundred dollars to fix vosmetic damage caused while parallel parking and 2) thus could cause bodily injury had the parking space not been blocked in front. These cars are part of a membership based rental fleet, and should be highly maintained. After contacting the emergency number of the fleet leaser, I was a few minutes later able to reenter and start the car, and the reverse gear operated properly. The leaser has previously raised my insurance rate based on small amounts of damage to a fleet vehicle incurred while parking. My guess is that they know of te problem and have chosen to blame the drivers rather than the manufacturers or maintenance engineers.

- Berkeley, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?