Problems · NHTSA complaints
2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid problems
Owners filed 45 complaints about the 2015 Ford Cmax Hybrid with NHTSA between Dec 2015 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is power train (9).
Complaints
45
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train9
- Electrical system7
- Steering6
- Air bags5
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Service brakes3
- Back over prevention2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Equipment2
- Structure2
- Engine2
- Exterior lighting1
- Seat belts1
- Wheels1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
1
4
0
7
6
6
7
3
6
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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…”
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.”
Air bags
5 reports4 crashes
“Other vehicle impacted our car driver side at front fender/front door joint, continued rearward to rear fender. Airbags deployed, EXCEPT for driver side curtain airbag. Driver injured (fractured left ribs, left shin laceration, right hand laceration/burn, multiple bruised on arms, legs, thighs, left back upper shoulder area).”
Fuel/propulsion system
4 reports
“I bought this vehicle in 2018. For the next 6 years, I lived in an area where I was unable to plug it in to a wall to charge, so used it as a hybrid. Now, I have a house and when I plugged it in for several hours, it melted the plug and nearly started an electrical fire. Upon further investigation, I found the serial number to the charger that was included with purchase as the factory-issued charger, matches a known recall due to fire safety hazard, but my VIN does *not* match the recall. At the time of purchase I was informed the charger was not the factory original but "everything would be okay." I have contacted the dealership that sold it to me and they won't take responsibility for not only selling me a faulty piece of charging equipment, but also failing to inform me about a recall that impacted it, and only through sheer luck and me noticing the outlet was starting to melt, it didn't start an electrical fire in my house. Ford also refuses to take responsibility for it. My local Ford dealership confirmed that it's a recalled charger, but also said they can't process the recall because my VIN doesn't match it, and confirmed it was not the correct charger…”
Service brakes
3 reports
“Outside brake lights stayed on after car was turned off. I see recalls on other 2015 Ford models for the same issue but mine is not on the list and I have to pay $748 for the repair.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.