NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Ford C-Max Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Ford C-Max has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 24 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Ford C-Max, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2016 Ford C-Max owner complaints

Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford C-Max, describing incidents dated September 30, 2017 to October 15, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Back Over Prevention 7 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 6 complaints
  • Electrical System 3 complaints
  • Power Train 2 complaints
  • Service Brakes 2 complaints
  • Visibility/Wiper 2 complaints

Of the 24 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 24 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11771483 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max. The contact stated that the rearview camera is malfunctioning, cuts out intermittently, and displays an error message stating that the camera is unavailable. The contact received a safety recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over…

  • ODI #11770039 · Filed

    Rear view camera recall was last year on October 2025 I am facing serious safety issues with the camera not working properly or sometimes entirely not at all the screen turns blue and does not display anything it’s very dangerous

  • ODI #11762857 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-MAX. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The contact stated that the failure was a persistent failure, and the rear-view camera displayed an upside-down image. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was…

Read all 24 complaints

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display

NHTSA #25V695000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported October 13, 2025 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,448,655 vehicles

Repair completion: 1.33% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 25SA9 · Owners notified January 2, 2026 · Vehicles built through November 14, 2016 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Safety consequence

A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable

NHTSA #22V413000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice

Reported June 10, 2022 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 2,925,968 vehicles

Repair completion: 73.12% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 22S43 · Owners notified October 27, 2022

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Safety consequence

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Improper Weld Joints on Floor Pan

NHTSA #17V052000 · Structure — Body · NHTSA notice

Reported January 24, 2017 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 17 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.71% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 17S03 · Owners notified March 8, 2017 · Vehicles built October 26, 2016 – October 26, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.

Safety consequence

Improperly welded apron joints may reduce the front-end structural integrity of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the apron joints, repairing the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S03.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Ford C-Max model years

Check your 2016 Ford C-Max VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford C-Max at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Ford VIN