general problems of the 2015 Ford C-max

Nine problems related to power train have been reported for the 2015 Ford C-max. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2015 Ford C-max based on all problems reported for the 2015 C-max.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/15/2023

A low rumbling noise seemingly situated at the right front (passenger) tire started with no warning approximately two months prior; no warning lights came on, the car did not change its driving--only a low rumbling noise which increased in revolutions with acceleration and quietened with braking and when in neutral--emerged. I subsequently took the car to a local mechanic to evaluate if the brakes were failing but in his diagnosis, he thought the likely cause to be internal to the transmission--a finding now confirmed by two other mechanics, including the Ford dealership. However, in researching this issue, a technical service bulletin (20-2219) outlining this known issue with the transmission of the 2013-2016 Ford C-max built before August 2015 (mine was built in April 2015) popped up, issued June 2020. My car is now marginally outside of warranty at 112,000 miles but this known issue is one that makes the car a danger to drive-both to myself and other drivers on the road-as no warning has come on, the sound is deceptively benign and yet if the transmission fails while on a highway or other fast-paced motorway, there could be a significant accident that ensues. Given that Ford is aware of this fault in their transmission builds with no prior warning to owners of these cars, this puts road safety of the C-max driver/passengers and others concurrently on the road at significant risk. I am baffled as to why this issue has not been recalled given its severity and the risk of it occurring just outside of warranty when costs to replace the transmission are exorbitant.

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-max hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a loud screeching noise under the hood of the vehicle while shifting gears. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v413000 (power train) however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair and the vehicle was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the shifter cable bushing was replaced; however, the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-max hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v413000 (power train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and informed him that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/15/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford C-max. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 mph, shifting from 1st to 2nd gear became difficult. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 22v413000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

5 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/17/2021

The contact owned a 2015 Ford C-max energi. The contact stated upon parking and turning off the vehicle by a river, the vehicle later rolled away into the river. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact was able to extract the vehicle out of the river with assistance of professionals. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The dealer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v413000 (power train) which she associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

6 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2019

Tl the contact owns a 2015 Ford C-max. The contact stated that while driving in non-eco mode, the vehicle failed to maintain highway speeds and decelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to sanderson Ford located at 6400 n 51st Ave, glendale, az 85301, and was diagnosed with a defective transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 55,000.

7 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/16/2017

Driving my 2015 Ford C-max and all of a sudden I lose power. I press the gas and nothing. I was driving through a intersection and had to coast to the side of the rode. Big red triangle show up saying "stop safely now". Car has been at the dealer for 4 days, they are trying to find the problem. I have read online about this problem with multiple Ford vehicles and a recall was called for the focus. I guess Ford is to big to go after and the ntsb drags there feet like no other. Call for a recall on all vehicles that "stop safely now'. Will you wait until people die to do something!!.

8 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2017

1. On taking a trip from panama city beach, FL to indianapolis, in this cmax was parked & locked in the northwest florida beaches parking lot at approximately 9 am cst 2. At approximately 4:30 pm est a telephone call was received from the airport police informing me that the cmax was in the parking lot running with the lights on and I was asked to go to the parking lot and turn the automobile off. After I informed the officer that I was in indiana and could not comply with the request, I proceeded to make numerous telephone calls; Ford motor company, gary smith Ford and others in an attempt to have the cmax turned off but was told it could not be done. I then returned officer's call and asked that they go to the parking lot, break the drivers window, and press the start/stop button to turn the cmax off. The officer called me back to inform me that when they went to the lot, the cmax was not running and the lights were off. 3. Upon returning to the airport on 2/8 I had to use the key to access the cmax since the battery was dead and the gas tank was empty. 4. A jumper battery was used and fuel was added to enable the cmax to run. 5. This vehicle has numerous indicators, audible and visual to alert the driver if exiting the vehicle while the car is in the run mode. The exit from the cmax on 2/2 was normal. Nothing was on. The locking indication was normal and no lights were on ( I keep the headlight switch in the position where if the vehicle is in the run mode, the lights are on ). This problem had to have been caused by a signal from an aircraft or a radio, radar with enough power to broadcast some distance. 6. My concern is that if this type ignition system can be turned on accidentally, it could also be turned off accidentally and that could be disastrous if the vehicle turned off while in motion causing the driver to lose control.

9 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/13/2016

Reverse gear setting actually put the car in drive after starting the parked car nd attempting to back out ofparking space. I tried turning off engine, and the same thing occurred, the car continued to creep forward until the car made contact with the parking space sign. This is not a small issue as 1) it probably occurred previously with the same model in the same fleet and leaser charged me upward of five hundred dollars to fix vosmetic damage caused while parallel parking and 2) thus could cause bodily injury had the parking space not been blocked in front. These cars are part of a membership based rental fleet, and should be highly maintained. After contacting the emergency number of the fleet leaser, I was a few minutes later able to reenter and start the car, and the reverse gear operated properly. The leaser has previously raised my insurance rate based on small amounts of damage to a fleet vehicle incurred while parking. My guess is that they know of te problem and have chosen to blame the drivers rather than the manufacturers or maintenance engineers.


Other Power Train related problems of the 2015 Ford C-max


C-max Service Bulletins
C-max Defect Investigations