Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2014CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly power train and steering
64 serious complaints of 107, the most about power train (22) and steering (16); 1.8× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2014 vehicles. 8 recalls. NHTSA investigation RQ19005: door latch failures.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2014 ford c-max. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a loud high pitch wining sound was present coming from the engine compartment and the check engine light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer race ford located at 436 w 250 n warsaw in.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Aug 2020
“The contact owns a 2014 ford c-max. After starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized and failed to turn. After waiting approximately 30 minutes, the steering wheel operated as normal. In addition, the service power steering now warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on multiple occasions.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Jan 2015
107 owner complaints · 8 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 38–39 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2014 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 141 hp; 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 141 hp · Drive: FWD
2014 Cmax trims
| Premium | SE | SEL |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Ford reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Ford aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188 hp | FWD | 40 mpg | 4 of 5 | 0 | 10 | Air bags (2) | — |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 188 hp | FWD | 39–40 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 23 | Unknown or other (5) | — |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 188 hp | FWD | 38–39 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 54 | Electrical system (15) | — |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 188 hp | FWD | 38–39 mpg | 4 of 5 | 6 | 64 | Back over prevention (11) | — |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 141 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 141 hp | FWD | 38–39 mpg | 4 of 5 | 8 | 107 | Electrical system (35) | — |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 141 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 141 hp | FWD | 38–40 mpg | 4 of 5 | 8 | 349 | Electrical system (117) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 10 |
| 2017 | Ford CMAX Energi 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 22 |
| 2017 | Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 22 |
| 2016 | Ford CMAX Energi 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 46 |
| 2016 | Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 14 |
| 2015 | Ford CMAX Energi 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 5 | 60 |
| 2015 | Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 5 | 45 |
| 2014 | Ford CMAX Energi 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 8 | 106 |
| 2014 | Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 8 | 106 |
| 2013 | Ford CMAX Energi 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 8 | 228 |
| 2013 | Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 9 | 298 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | C-MAX Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 40 |
| 2017 | C-MAX Energi Plug-In Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 39 |
| 2017 | C-MAX Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 40 |
| 2016 | C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2016 | C-MAX Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 39 |
| 2015 | C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2015 | C-MAX Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 39 |
| 2014 | C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2014 | C-MAX Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 39 |
| 2013 | C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2013 | C-MAX Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 40 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.