NHTSA vehicle safety data
2018 Ford C-Max Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2018 Ford C-Max has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 10 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 2018 Ford C-Max, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2018 Ford C-Max owner complaints
Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford C-Max, describing incidents dated June 4, 2018 to November 6, 2023.
Most-cited components
- Air Bags 2 complaints
- Electrical System 2 complaints
- Steering 2 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
- Power Train 1 complaint
- Seat Belts 1 complaint
Of the 10 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 10 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11553864 · Filed
I recently rear ended a car and the front of the vechical was damaged. The air bag censor was destroyed, however the airbags did not come out. This was on a 2018 Ford c-max. Many people pointed out this malfunction and how my life was put at risk.
ODI #11545455 · Filed
I totalled my car. The steering wheel airbag failed to inflate
ODI #11539404 · Filed
The contact owns a 2018 Ford C-MAX Hybrid. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop at a red light, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality; however, the failure had since become a…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 Ford C-Max in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
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.
Other Ford C-Max model years
Check your 2018 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