2014 Ford C-Max recalls and problems

The 2014 Ford C-Max has 8 safety recalls and 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Urgent: recall 14V-514 carries a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
8
Complaints
80
Crashes / fires
6 / 4
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2014 Ford C-Max vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2014 Ford C-Max recalls

Recall 22V-413: Power Train

Reported Jun 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-331: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Jun 8, 2020 · 2,147,323 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

Recall 18V-592: Equipment

Reported Sep 10, 2018 · 49,197 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.

Risk: An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.

Recall 16V-643: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Sep 6, 2016 · 2,046,297 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

Recall 14V-597: Seat Belts, Air Bags

Reported Sep 26, 2014 · 746,842 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.

Risk: The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.

Recall 14V-514: Steering

Do not driveReported Aug 22, 2014 · 508 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Focus and C-Max vehicles manufactured August 8, 2014, to August 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.

Risk: The incorrectly manufactured steering gears may cause impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on November 11, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S18.

Recall 14V-237: Air Bags

Reported May 7, 2014 · 594,785 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.

Risk: If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.

Recall 14V-164: Seats

Reported Apr 2, 2014 · 43,135 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Risk: The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.

2014 Ford C-Max problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System20
Unknown or Other19
Power Train18
Steering14
Latches/Locks/Linkages9
Engine5
Air Bags4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Structure3
Wheels3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)2

Most reported parts

  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 3
  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
  • Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs — 1
  • Electrical System › Horn — 1
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Lock — 1
  • Electrical System › Propulsion System › Charging › Cable/Cord › Onboard — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 53,787 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2014 Ford C-Max complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Jul 28, 2026
Major electrical issues, including rear view camera not working, vehicle starting when no key fob is in or near the vehicle, tail lights burning out even after replacement, one taillight blinking faster than the other, screen for infotainment not turning on, all of a sudden vehicle not starting with complete battery drainage even after vehicle was just charged. And too many other issues to name, my year vehicle has many of the same issues that have been reported for both a 2015 and a 2016 Ford Cmax energi yet my year does not have the same recall notices despite the same issues. My vehicle has…
Electrical System · reported May 12, 2026
For the last couple of years I've had a problem with the backup camera it goes out randomly sometimes the picture turns upside down sometimes it's just a black screen sometimes there is a thing that says see the dealer. It's intermittent it's unexpected and other Ford years have been recalled for the same problem but for whatever reason they're not including my 2014 in the recall. I just had someone come pick up my car for another service and I had to warn them that it doesn't work so it doesn't surprise that. If you pretend it doesn't exist then you can use your observations as we were taught…
Unknown or Other · reported Apr 7, 2026
My 2014 Ford Cmax Energi is unable to exceed 80 MPH. This is due to Ford MyKey systems not allowing other keys to be made for the vehicle without restrictions being applied. Because I had to get a new key made, my car now is unable to go over 80MPH. In Arizona, the flow of traffic is quick and intense. I am unable to reliably drive on the freeway because of how my car is restricted. Ford refuses to do anything about it.
Unknown or Other · reported Dec 4, 2025
While car shopping, I found a Ford hybrid listed with ~40,760 miles. Its public history shows a severe, unexplained odometer discrepancy. In September 2022, mileage was ~38,353. By May 2023, it spiked to 392,484. The current title shows 40,760 miles marked with a †(dagger), indicating "mileage discrepancy" or "not actual mileage." The seller is marketing it as a low-mileage vehicle. This misrepresentation poses a serious safety risk. A car with potentially 400,000+ miles of wear is being sold as having only ~40,000. Critical safety components like brakes, suspension, tires, and the hybrid…
Electrical System · at 131,500 miles · reported Oct 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Ford C-MAX. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH with all four windows closed, there was a strong abnormal odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact then opened all the windows allowing the odor to release, and the abnormal odor was not as potent. The contact later inspected the vehicle and discovered that the original Volvo battery could be emitting a toxic substance that was entering the vehicle; the battery was original equipment. The contact sustained dizziness and difficulty breathing. Medical attention was not sought. This occurred…

Other Ford C-Max years

Compare all Ford C-Max years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Ford C-Max have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2014 Ford C-Max: 22V-413 (power train), 20V-331 (latches/locks/linkages), 18V-592 (equipment), 16V-643 (latches/locks/linkages), 14V-597 (seat belts, air bags) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Ford C-Max?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (20 reports), followed by unknown or other (19). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 53,787 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.