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Before you buy a used Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max (II).

2010–2019 · Petrol / Diesel · 3 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max (II), real photo of this generation
M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 DE · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 3 of its engines.

  • Transmission, lights and campaigns on the C-Max IIKnown weak points
    Period mentioned
    2010–2019
    Mileage mentioned
    The sheet does not mention a mileage.

    Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

1.6 Ti-VCT

Petrol

We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.

1.0 / 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost

Petrol

1.5 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDCi

Diesel

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max (II)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.6 Ti-VCTPetrolFewest documented11 with conditions4
1.0 / 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoostPetrol55 with conditions4
1.5 / 1.6 / 2.0 TDCiDiesel33 with conditions4

According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 1.6 Ti-VCT (Petrol).

By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Diesel.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Ford dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Ford airbag and seat-belt recalls (2001–2026)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2001–2026)Suspension and steering

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford engine, transmission and software recalls (2000–2026)Powertrain and engine management

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry
Ford body, seat and fitting recalls (2001–2026)Bodywork

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

View full entry

On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 7 checked

Known weak points

  • Look out for: A clutch that needs replacing, a pedal that does not return or a jerky gearbox (in the worst case gearbox failure); lights that fail or go out of alignment and moisture in the headlamps; a trip computer with false warnings; batteries, alternators and injectors (2010–2013); a clogged particulate filter; axle bushes.

    Ask them to check: Check every campaign by VIN; test clutch and gearbox; check lights and particulate filter.

Cooling

  • Look out for: Coolant loss with no visible leak, rough running on cold start, white smoke and, in serious cases, engine failure.

    Ask them to check: Watch the coolant level; if it drops with no external leak, run a pressure and combustion-gas test and check the spark plugs. Ask Ford by VIN about warranty actions.

  • Look out for: The temperature rises, coolant is lost and, in extreme cases, oil sprays under pressure from a crack in the head with a risk of fire in the engine bay.

    Ask them to check: Check with Ford by VIN that the recall was done; watch the coolant level and stop at the temperature warning.

  • Look out for: Coolant loss, overheating and, if you keep driving, serious cylinder-head or engine damage.

    Ask them to check: Check with Ford by VIN that the service action was done; watch the coolant level and stop at the temperature warning.

Engine

  • Look out for: Low oil-pressure warning just before a loss of power; sometimes the engine seizes without warning. With no oil pressure the vacuum pump that assists braking can also stop working.

    Ask them to check: With the oil-pressure warning, stop and do not restart. At the garage, check the belt and tensioner and look for debris in the sump and pump screen; use the exact oil Ford specifies and do not stretch the change intervals.

Exhaust and emissions

  • Look out for: Filter regenerations at excessive temperature, a damaged filter and particle emissions above the limit: the car can fail the emissions part of the roadworthiness test.

    Ask them to check: Ask Ford by VIN whether recall 24E06 is outstanding; check the filter and the regeneration history before the roadworthiness test.

Injection / turbo

  • Look out for: Hissing from the engine, diesel smell in the cabin, very dark oil between changes and, eventually, a failing turbo with smoke and loss of power.

    Ask them to check: Check the injector washers and the turbo oil-feed filter. If the turbo is replaced, also clean the sump, intercooler and feed pipe, or the new turbo can fail again. Use low-SAPS oil.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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