8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,200
Average Mileage:
20,950 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. battery started with battery charger (3 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
  3. may 2015 - ford rolled out a programming fix (2 reports)
2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid electrical problems

electrical problem

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2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #8

Jan 152020

C-Max Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have now had 8 instances of the dead battery syndrome. Apparently it was "fixed" in the 2015 15B04 program. However, the problem is clearly NOT FIXED.

I suspect that there is deliberate fraudulent behavior by the dealer. I have had many conversations about this with my dealership, but they gas-lighted me, saying that I must have left the lights on. Claimed that there was no issue on record for this model. Quoted me $1100 to check the car over.

Now, I see that there was a repair program (15B04) in 2015. The call center in India informs me that they car was repaired under this program in 2015. Highly suspicious. There is only one dealer in my area, and he claims no knowledge. The call center says that the dealer can see all of this information if he checks the Ford company systems using my VIN number. The dealer should have the bulletin and be able to see the recorded repair date.

There is nothing I can do, because the repair program lasted on only one year. It is not a safety issue, so there was no recall, only a short-duration repair program.

I will continue to dig.

- Sue C., Columbus, GA, US

problem #7

May 262015

C-Max Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,123 miles

So, after a number of trips to the Ford dealer late last year, the car had been working fine (picked it up Jan 2 from its last service where they couldn't figure out the cause).

Then, out of the blue May 24 (Sunday), we were driving around and the clock on the driver dashboard and the clock on the center dashboard became out of sync. No other issues, until Tuesday. My husband and I carpool to work (about 30 miles), since we now work about a mile apart. When we got to his office, he took his keys out of the ignition as we prepared to switch drivers - same as every other workday morning. Suddenly, the doors locked and the key buttons didn't do anything. I manually unlocked the driver door, and it was completely dead - no lights, no power, nothing. UGH!!!

So, after getting a jump by the tow truck, I went straight to the dealer service center. And, lo and behold, just last week Ford rolled out a programming fix that SHOULD address this issue permanently. IT'S ABOUT TIME!!! I will remain cautiously optimistic.

Moral of the story - if you are having a similar issue, contact your Ford dealer NOW and get in for the updated programming, and then yell at them a lot for not contacting you before now.

- spk0962, Kent, WA, US

problem #6

Dec 222014

C-Max Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,200 miles

Yet again (third time in as many weeks), went out to start my car and it's DEAD in the DRIVEWAY. Bah!!! It wasn't even cold out! Called the service center about getting the car there, since they saw the car exactly 10 days earlier for the exact same issue. Discovered that the tow truck CAN tow it without starting it, so specifically told that to the Ford Roadside Assistance people. Their driver was an extra two hours later than original estimate. Didn't go with the car this time.

Waited three hours before calling service center; was told that the mechanic who worked on it before was off today, so no news on the car - nice that they called to let me know, huh! (That was sarcasm.) No loaner either, since they didn't know how long the repair would take. REALLY!!?!? Great, so now I have to take yet another day off of work for car issues. Next day, I get a call from the service center around noon, that he's setting me up with a loaner. My battery is completely dead (no s**t!), and there's no solution from Ford that is helping, and they are still trouble-shooting. All the wiring looks fine, nothing making contact where it shouldn't, etc.

They have had the car for two more working days since then, and no one has bothered to contact me with updates - which does not fill me with confidence, and reflects very poor customer service in my opinion. So I will call them tomorrow and see what's going on.

Update from May 27, 2015: May 27, 2015 - apparently Ford came out with a fix for this - LAST WEEK. New programming for one of three modules that has been having a bad habit of staying on after the car is turned off. We'll see if it truly works...

- spk0962, Kent, WA, US

problem #5

Dec 122014

C-Max Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So, went out to start my car in the morning, after having to have it jump-started two days prior. Car didn't respond to key buttons; manually opened it and tried to start it. Nothing. Called Ford Roadside Assistance again; told them I wanted it taken to a dealer repair shop. Tow truck driver jump-started the car in order to load it onto the truck. I think that was a mistake. Accompanied car to dealer; spent 4.5 hours at dealer repair shop. Couldn't find anything wrong with the battery; reset the electronic modules. Mechanic said the reset took longer than he thought it should, but couldn't find anything else otherwise, so they sent me on my way. And the car worked fine, for a while...

- spk0962, Kent, WA, US

problem #4

Jan 022015

C-Max Hybrid SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,406 miles

This is the second time my 2014 Ford C-max SE Hybrid has had the battery go dead with no warning. It was driven the day before and periodically. Had to have Ford Roadside Assistance start the battery again.

The one good thing, the problem with the driver-side window not staying up, when you push the button to go up, was fixed when the battery was jump started. The window problem was going on for some time, but was most noticeable, when I went to get the car washed,and wasn't ablt to close the window completely. The other bad thing is the clock once again can't be set after the battery was jumped, tried at least 50 times.

These problems have not been resolved. Will go back on Wednesday to get them finally fixed. Hopefully.

- wkj1234, Sunnyvale, CA, US

problem #3

Dec 102014

C-Max Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,700 miles

Have had this car for seven weeks. Just made the first payment the week before. Went out to the driveway, like every other day, and the key didn't make the lights blink or door open. Manually opened door; tried to start and got zero response. Not even particularly cold weather or anything! Called Ford Roadside Assistance, had them jump-start the car. Car then ran fine all day, and the next. Then the saga continues...

- spk0962, Kent, WA, US

problem #2

Nov 282014

C-Max Hybrid SE 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 700 miles

I loved the car, until today.

My C-Max Hybrid 2014 is only 4 weeks in use, and only run 700 miles. Driven into my garage yesterday evening, it was perfectly normal. Today I sat in the car, found it completely dead - no lights, no power, no response to remote control. The light knob was in AUTO.

As it is Thanksgiving day, no dealer or Ford is available to check it. IT IS TOO BAD.

Ford, Ford, how can you let this happen?

- harrysm, San Mrcos, CA, US

problem #1

Oct 302014

C-Max Hybrid SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,400 miles

I was very surprised to get into my car yesterday and find that my car wouldn't start. My car is driven almost every day, but usually for short distances. I've had it less than 6 months and only 3400 miles. I called the Ford dealer service department and was told that this is not uncommon, especially if the car is not driven long enough to have the gas engine kick in to charge the 12 volt battery. There was no indication that I saw that would indicate the battery was not charged. Nothing was left on, no doors ajar, nothing to drain the battery. Since I've gotten the car, I've tried to maximize my fuel efficiency, and have been averaging 43 miles per gallon, apparently, I've been driving too efficiently.

Until yesterday, I was very happy with the car. Now I don't know if I have to worry if the next time I get in the car, it will start. I was surprised that the remote keys wouldn't even open the doors, and the battery is in the trunk and you can't just jump start the car like I'm use to. I was told by the Ford Roadside service man to avoid using another car to jump start, if possible. And if you do, the donor vehicle's engine should be turned off. And I would have never guessed where the terminals were in the front. And make sure you don't nick the high voltage cables near the negative terminal.

I just got done reading the 48 page manual that Ford issues for replacing a battery: http://elvsolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2014_C-Max%20Battery%20Removal%20Guide%20Final.pdf. Ridiculous.

When will these batteries be recalled?

- wkj1234, Sunnyvale, CA, US

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