Most common 2015 Ford C-Max Energi problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford C-Max Energi complaints by model year
Best C-Max Energi years: 2015, 2017. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2016. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2015 Ford C-Max Energi:
Door Latch Failures
In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ.
Door Latch Failure
In January, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on consumers' allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2012-2013 Ford Focus vehicles (subject vehicles).ODI has received 464 unique reports related to the alleged problem, with over 200 claiming that the door(s) opened inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion.One consumer…
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2015 Ford C-Max Energi owners say
Driver assistance
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera was inoperative, and the image was intermittently upside down. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that another unknown software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image failed to function properly, and the image appeared upside down. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that the manufacturer label indicated that the vehicle was drivable for 22 miles when fully charged; however, the vehicle was only drivable for approximately 14 miles. Additionally, the contact stated that occasionally, the vehicle was only drivable for 8 miles. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the failure was related to the tires. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
1. Rear windows open 6 to 8 inches upon returning to car from store- happened 4 times. (sitting in parking lots) 2. Car on overnight in garage. Garage has the gas furnace and heater 3. Does not steer when you want it to./ just takes off on its own/ caused wreck. Slow left turn. Went all by itself into the sidewalk. 4. Does not turn off or on when told to do so/ moves after parked, even if fully belted in 5. The Sync does not work and navigation got me lost twice in la 6. Humming noises and vibration below my feet at speed (65 to 70)
Steering
1. Rear windows open 6 to 8 inches upon returning to car from store- happened 4 times. (sitting in parking lots) 2. Car on overnight in garage. Garage has the gas furnace and heater 3. Does not steer when you want it to./ just takes off on its own/ caused wreck. Slow left turn. Went all by itself into the sidewalk. 4. Does not turn off or on when told to do so/ moves after parked, even if fully belted in 5. The Sync does not work and navigation got me lost twice in la 6. Humming noises and vibration below my feet at speed (65 to 70)
This car has 57,500 miles and is inside the powertrain warranty period. The power assist steering felt sticky, not smooth like normal, so I took it in to the dealership. When almost there an error light came on saying there was a power steering issue. It cleared and nothing happened, then soon after a power steering fault message came on, but the performance was still sticky but functional. I pulled into the dealership lot and powered down, then back up to drive into the service bay. The power steering was non-operational at that point. The dealer service department states the steering rack needs to be replaced to fix this issue. They also state it is not covered under the powertrain warranty. This issue has been a recall on other Ford models, but not the c-Max so far. This is a serious safety issue, and has occurred far too early in the lifetime of the vehicle for wear and tear. …
2015 Ford C-Max Energi engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid | CVT | FWD | 40 / 36 / 38 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 Ford C-Max Energi a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 C-Max Energi rates better than average: 61% fewer complaints than a typical year of the C-Max Energi at the same age. It is one of the best C-Max Energi years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Ford C-Max Energi?
The driver assistance — 5 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (4) and steering (3).
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford C-Max Energi have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2015 Ford C-Max Energi. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford C-Max Energi?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014 and 2016. See the full Ford C-Max Energi years comparison.
At what mileage do 2015 Ford C-Max Energi problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 20,000 miles; 70% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.