Research · Large Cars

2015 Ford Cmax HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints for the 2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid. Most complaints involve power train (9) and electrical system (7). The EPA rates it 39 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
39mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
45
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

45 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2015 – Jul 2025
  1. Power train9
  2. Electrical system7
  3. Steering6
  4. Air bags5
  5. Fuel/propulsion system4
  6. Service brakes3
  7. Back over prevention2
  8. Vehicle speed control2
  9. Equipment2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cmax Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013298
2014106
201545
201614
201722
201810
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

9 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-Max. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle would downshift with the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed as a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2024Power trainODI 11608735

Electrical system

7 reports1 crash
“Ford 2015 CMax Energi with 41,000 miles. I was driving on a 2 Lane Highway coming to a stoplight and had to press the brakes firmly to avoid an accident at which time my 2015 CMax Energi abruptly stopped w a growling noise,. The dashboard lit up like Christmas. I observed The ABS system/ABS module failure/malfunctioned lights. 2015 C Max Energi was available for inspection when I brought it to the dealership and verified it was ABS Module that had malfunctioned. I was told by the dealership for my safety and others not to drive the car. Sawgrass Ford retained my car for repairs. Sawgrass Ford as well as family and friends stated that my safety and the safety of others were at risk because of the obvious reliability of brake failure. Brake failure could lead to death to me and anyone else on the roads/highway. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer@ Sawgrass Ford Sunrise Florida. The vehicle and the component has been inspected by the dealership because it was repaired once the part , which took about 2 1/2 months due to parts being backorder from Ford Corporation. Ford has MANY previous ABS MODULE recalls on several of their MODELS, but the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2025Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11636375

Steering

6 reports
“The issues that I am having is with the power staring at this. On my way back from dropping off my child I entered the apartment complex and drove over a speed bump and that’s when the fault light came on about the power steering. I noticed that when the light came on my steering wheel started to stiffen however, it’s when I got home and took my car off that the steering wheel became stuck and needed more power to turn the wheel. This is the first time I’m ever seeing this issue, but my ABS tire light is the only light that has remained on since purchasing the vehicle a few months ago. I have already contacted Ford to see about what they could do, and I was instructed that this particular vehicle did not have a recall while others do which highly concerns me. Upon further research, I found out that this is a common occurrence since 2014 with these models.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2025SteeringODI 11654741
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
C-MAX Hybrid FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
413639$1,600230
  • C-MAX Hybrid FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    41 city · 36 hwy · $1,600/yr
    39
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 9261
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Cmax Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (9), electrical system (7), steering (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid at 39 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026