2016 Ford C-Max Energi problems & reliability
32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (4 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 13 | 41% |
| Power Train | 5 | 16% |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | 13% |
| Engine | 3 | 9% |
| Steering | 3 | 9% |
| Unknown OR Other | 3 | 9% |
| Structure | 2 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 6% |
| Wheels | 2 | 6% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 48,500 miles (middle 50% between 23,500 and 65,539 miles), based on 22 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. 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 stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera failed to display an image as intended on the center…”
Back Over Prevention · filed Jan 29, 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera image appeared upside down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was…”
Back Over Prevention · filed Jul 30, 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while charging the hybrid battery, the battery stopped charging after 15-16 minutes. The contact stated that the battery could only be charged for 15-16 minutes at a time. The contact stated that there was a red triangle warning light illuminated on…”
Electrical System · filed Jul 1, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
Technical service bulletins
19 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The 10 most recent:
Certain 2014-2020 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines 3G Telematics Control Unit to 4G Upgrade Kit REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Program Terms & Urgency / Expiration Date: Program extension until July 31, 2023. Service…
21B09 S2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 12, 2023
Certain 2014-2020 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines - 3G Telematics Control Unit to 4G Upgrade Kit. The North America 3G cellular service began decommissioning in August 2021 and a complete shutdown of the 3G network…
21B09-S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 28, 2022
Certain 2014-2020 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines 3G Telematics Control Unit to 4G Upgrade Kit The North America 3G cellular service began decommissioning in August 2021 and will be fully decommissioned in February…
21B09 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 3, 2021
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F150/Focus/CMAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/ Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
TSB 20-2255 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2020
Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Escape/Fusion/MKZ, 2015-2018 Focus,2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2020 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2020 F-Super Duty, 2018-2020 EcoSport/Expedition, 2019-2020…
TSB 20-2171 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 18, 2020
SSM 48619 - Various Vehicles - Perimeter Alarm Armed And Original Vehicle Keys Cannot Be Accessed to Enter Vehicle - CAN Protection Strategy Some 2013-2016 Model Year Vehicles may exhibit a concern in which the…
SSM 48619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2020
Some 2013 2017 C-MAX Energi, 2017 2018 C-MAX Hybrid, 2013 2020 Fusion Energi and 2017-2020 Fusion/MKZ Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with any of the following diagnostic…
SSM 48301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2019
Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning…
SSM 48130 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 9, 2019
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2019 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to charge while connected to the second…
TSB 18-2373 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 12, 2018
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2018 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to charge while connected to the second…
tsb18-2216 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 20, 2018
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2016 Ford C-Max Energi in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2016 Ford C-Max Energi?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 48,500 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.