Ford C-MAX Mk2 common faults.

2010–2015. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

critical2

1.0 EcoBoost: coolant disappears internally and the cylinder head can crack

critical

On this engine the coolant disappears internally, with no external trace.

Applies to the engine M1DA, B7DA.

Repair: 50–5,500 EUR

Door latch: the latching component breaks and the door can open while driving

critical

A component inside the door latch breaks, so the latch no longer holds properly: the door is hard to close, or it only catches on the first detent.

It can affect every car in this generation.

expensive6

Crankshaft pulley: the rubber layer of the vibration damper separates

expensive

The accessory pulley of the crankshaft is also a vibration damper: there is a layer of rubber between the outer and the inner part.

Applies to the engine IQDA, IQDB, PNDA and 3 more.

IB5 manual: worn synchros and differential bearings in the larger models

expensive

In the smaller models, the Fiesta, the Fusion and the B-Max, the IB5 holds up well, but in the larger Focus and especially the Mondeo it does less well: there the engine torque and the weight of the car put a heavier load on the same gearbox.

Applies to the transmission IB5.

Injector copper washer: the soot blocks the turbo's oil filter

expensive

The copper washers under the injectors start to leak at around 100 000 kilometres, and sooty gas gets from the combustion chamber into the engine bay.

Applies to the engine T1DA, T1DB, T3DA and 1 more.

Injector copper washer: the carbon glues the injector into the head

expensive

The copper washer under the injector is a one-time seal: it is permanently crushed when torqued, so once refitted it can no longer seal.

Applies to the engine TXDB, TYDA, UKDB.

1.0 EcoBoost: the wet timing belt breaks down early

expensive

The timing belt runs in oil, under its cover, and cannot be seen from outside.

Applies to the engine B3DA, B7DA, M1DA and 3 more.

IB6 manual: little oil, leaks, and the synchro noise that follows

expensive

The gearbox is light and compact and reliable, but the small oil quantity makes it sensitive to leaks: not much has to escape before the level becomes critical.

Applies to the transmission IB6.

5 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.

Official recall2 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.

Most recent: 10 September 2018

18V592000EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICALEQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL10 September 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

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.

Remedy: 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.

The authority's notice

13V475000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULEELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE17 October 2013 · NHTSA (USA)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Risk: Without an audible door chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and exit the vehicle without being reminded that the vehicle is still operational, leaving the vehicle susceptible to theft.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C07.

The authority's notice

Engines and transmissions in this generation

A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.

Mk2 · 2010–2015

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

73 versions

EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody

Showing 60 of 73 versions.

Neighbouring generations

Mk2 · 2010–2015

C-MAX '11. If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

Mk1.5 · 2007–2010

This generation

Mk2 · 2010–2015

Next generation

Mk2.5 · 2015–2019

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2010–2015. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.

Details in the terms