Model year 2018 · Large Cars

2018 Ford C-MAX: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2018 Ford C-MAX at 40 mpg combined across 1 version. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 10 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

40

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Ford dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2018 Ford C-MAX recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Ford C-MAX, newest first.

Power train: Shift linkage/cable/rod and 1 more component

NHTSA 22V413000 Reported Jun 10, 2022
Filed by
Ford Motor Company (manufacturer recall no. 22S43)
Components
Power train: Shift linkage/cable/rod; Power train: Automatic transmission: Gear position indication (prndl)
Units affected
2,925,968 (estimate)
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.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2018 Ford C-MAX fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2018 Ford C-MAX EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
C-MAX Hybrid FWD2.0L 4-cyl hybridAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveRegular42/38/40 mpg$1,700222

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2018 Ford C-MAX crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2018 Ford C-MAX NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2018 Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD4 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars14.3%No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2018 Ford C-MAX owner complaints

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford C-MAX, most recently on Nov 6, 2023. 2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2018 Ford C-MAX complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Air bags2
Electrical system2
Steering2
Fuel/propulsion system1
Power train1
Seat belts: Front: Buckle assembly1
Suspension1
Unknown or other1
Visibility/wiper1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Ford C-MAX model years

Ford C-MAX by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2017 C-MAX39–40 mpg1254/5
2016 C-MAX38–39 mpg3564/5
2015 C-MAX38–39 mpg6714/5

All Ford C-MAX years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2018 Ford models

2018 Ford EcoSport2018 Ford Edge2018 Ford Escape2018 Ford Expedition2018 Ford Explorer2018 Ford F1502018 Ford Fiesta2018 Ford Flex2018 Ford Focus2018 Ford Fusion2018 Ford GT2018 Ford Mustang2018 Ford Taurus2018 Ford Transit Connect2018 Ford Transit T150 Wagon

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Ford.