Ford C-Max II (2010-2019): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2010–2015
Median price: €4,999
Listings: 1,200
Running cost per month: €438–€491
Power: 100–150 PS (74–110 kW)
Reliability: 3/5
DIY: 2/5

A tidy C-Max is a practical family car, but avoid the wet PowerShift and check the 1.5 EcoBoost for coolant loss.

Updated 27 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.6 TDCi, 115 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€440	€4,900	330	Diesel	T1DB	Manual (5)	2010–2011
1.6 TDCi, 115 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€438	€4,900	330	Diesel	T1DB	Manual (6)	2011–2015
1.0 EcoBoost, 125 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€452	€5,000	215	Petrol	M1DD	Manual (6)	2012–2015
1.6 EcoBoost, 150 PS, 6-speed manual	€491	€4,990	144	Petrol	JQDB	Manual (6)	2010–2015
1.0 EcoBoost, 100 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€450	€4,800	91	Petrol	M2DC	Manual (6)	2012–2015
1.6 Ti-VCT, 125 PS, 5-speed manual	€488	€4,890	79	Bioethanol (E85) / Petrol	PNDD	Manual (5)	2010–2014
2.0 TDCi, 140 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research	€460	€5,900	77	Diesel	UFDB	Automatic (dual-clutch) (6)	2011–2015
2.0 TDCi, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€472	€3,999	64	Diesel	UFDB	Manual (6)	2011–2015

At a glance

Most common: the wet PowerShift on the 2.0 TDCi shudders and wears its clutch, 1.5 EcoBoost engines can fail, and diesel injectors and filters cause trouble.
Reliability: 3/5, because the PowerShift and 1.5 EcoBoost failures are costly, while German breakdown data improves after the early build years.
DIY: 2/5, because gearbox, engine and suspension work needs a garage. Fluid checks and a test drive are simple.
Prefer: a 1.6 Ti-VCT or 1.0 EcoBoost manual with a full service history.
Avoid: a 2.0 TDCi PowerShift that shudders, and a 1.5 EcoBoost with coolant loss.

Engines and gearboxes

1.6 Ti-VCT petrol (85-125 PS): the naturally aspirated petrol engine, with a five-speed manual.
1.0 EcoBoost petrol (100 and 125 PS): the wet timing belt and oil pump belt are covered in the engine guide. See the 1.0 EcoBoost guide.
1.6 EcoBoost petrol (150 and 182 PS): the cooling system and the manual clutch are covered by campaigns; check them by VIN in the Recalls table.
1.5 EcoBoost petrol (150 and 182 PS): internal coolant loss can end in engine failure. See Known issues.
1.5 and 1.6 TDCi diesel (95-120 PS): the filter clogs on short trips, and injector failures are reported.
2.0 TDCi diesel (115-170 PS): the wet PowerShift is the main risk; the filter and injectors also apply.
Wet PowerShift (6DCT450): a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox with its clutch packs in oil, fitted to the 2.0 TDCi. It shudders, leaks oil and can lose gears.
6-speed torque-converter automatic: fitted to the facelift 1.5 EcoBoost, not the PowerShift.
Manual gearbox: five- or six-speed, fitted to most cars. The 1.6 EcoBoost clutch pressure plate is covered by a campaign.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Wet PowerShift clutch and mechatronic faults	2.0 TDCi with the wet PowerShift	Not stated	No confirmed price
1.5 EcoBoost coolant loss and engine failure	1.5 EcoBoost petrol	Not stated	No confirmed price
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogging	1.5, 1.6 and 2.0 TDCi diesel	Not stated	No confirmed price
Suspension springs, dampers and axle mounts	All cars	Not stated	No confirmed price
Battery and alternator faults	All cars	Not stated	No confirmed price

Before you buy

On a 2.0 TDCi, drive from rest and in traffic. Shudder, jerks or a lost gear point to the wet PowerShift. Check for oil under the gearbox.
On a 1.5 EcoBoost, check the coolant level and look for water in the engine oil. Ask for a cooling-system pressure test. Bad result: coolant loss or an uneven cold start.
On a diesel, ask about filter cleaning or replacement and check for a DPF warning. A scanner can read stored filter faults.
Check the last TÜV report and look at the springs, shock absorbers and axle mounts. Knocks over bumps point to worn suspension.
Check the battery age, the charging voltage and any charge warning. Flat batteries and failed alternators are common breakdown causes.
Check open recalls by VIN with Ford or the KBA.

Running costs

Operational	€167
Workshop	€151
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€135
Total per month	€453
New-car depreciation (not included)	€67

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 1,200
25th percentile: €3,800
Median price: €4,999
75th percentile: €6,499
Median mileage: 167,000 km
Median first registration: 2013
Dealer share: 66.7%
Price at 100,000 km: €6,437

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Wet PowerShift clutch and mechatronic faults

The 2.0 TDCi diesel uses the wet PowerShift (6DCT450), a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox with its clutch packs running in oil. Plastic spacers in the clutch basket can break, and the debris can jam the mechatronic, the gearbox control unit and its valves. Drivers report shudder, jerks, loss of single gears and an emergency message. A leaking seal on the front cover lets oil out and damages the clutch.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford PowerShift problems, carwiki: Ford C-Max II problems, DRIVE2: PowerShift 6DCT450 repair

1.5 EcoBoost coolant loss and engine failure

The 1.5 EcoBoost petrol engine can lose coolant inside the engine. gebrauchtwagenberater.de names hairline cracks in the cylinder block that can destroy the engine, with coolant loss and an uneven cold start as warnings, and says the block was revised in mid-2019. A Ford service bulletin for the US Fusion and Escape with the same 1.5 EcoBoost describes coolant use and white smoke, and tells the workshop to pressure-test the cooling system and inspect the block surface under the head gasket. Ask for a cooling-system pressure test before you buy.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford C-Max Mk2 problems, Vehicle Service Pros: Ford 1.5L EcoBoost head gasket leak due to block surface, 2020

Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogging

All C-Max diesels have a diesel particulate filter (DPF), which traps soot. Cars used mostly for short trips can clog it. Check the filter history and take a long test drive. A scanner can read stored filter faults. No repair price is confirmed.

Sources: Auto Express: used C-MAX review, aerointernational: Ford C-Max as a used car, carwiki: Ford C-Max II problems

Suspension springs, dampers and axle mounts

From about the fifth German inspection, roughly 11 years old, springs and shock absorbers are flagged often. The rubber mounts of the wishbones wear too. Check the last TÜV report and drive over speed bumps. No repair price is confirmed.

Sources: aerointernational: Ford C-Max as a used car, Auto Zeitung: Ford C-Max used guide, gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Ford C-Max Mk2 problems

Battery and alternator faults

Flat batteries and failed alternators are common breakdown causes. German breakdown data names the starter battery for 2016-2019 cars, and 2010-2013 cars had discharged batteries and defective generators. Check the battery age, the charging voltage and any charge warning. No repair price is confirmed.

Sources: ADAC: Ford C-Max catalogue, carwiki: Ford C-Max II problems, aerointernational: Ford C-Max as a used car

Recalls

Country	Code	Years	What is done
Germany (press, two sites)	not given	Built 1 August 2012 to 30 June 2016	1.6 EcoBoost with manual gearbox: the clutch pressure plate can break, with a fire risk. Software update; some cars get a new clutch.
Germany (press, two sites)	not given	Built 2 June 2010 to 22 December 2014	1.6 EcoBoost: low coolant level is not detected, and the cylinder head can crack. Software with a warning and a power limit.
Germany (press, two sites)	not given	Built 28 July to 6 December 2016	Side and knee airbags may not fire because of a faulty igniter. Remedy not stated.
Germany (press, two sites)	not given	Built 2014-2015	Engine overheating, and oil loss from the cooling strategy. car-recalls.eu (KBA mirror) lists 12,455 C-Max, Focus, Galaxy, Kuga, Mondeo and S-Max built 2014-2015 for overheating; gebrauchtwagenberater.de names the oil loss. Remedy not stated.

Check open recalls for your VIN with a Ford dealer.

Maintenance

1.0 EcoBoost belt: the wet timing belt is due at about 240,000 km; wrong or old oil destroys it. AUTO BILD gives the same interval. See the 1.0 EcoBoost guide.
Diesel filter: short trips clog the DPF; regular longer runs help.