FordC-Max2018Overview/ford/c-max/2018/base/

2018 Ford C-Max

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 C-Max.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2018 Ford C-Max is a passenger car that pairs a continuously variable automatic transmission with an EPA-rated 42/38/40 mpg, making it a fuel-efficient choice in its segment. With only 10 total owner complaints on record and a single recall, its reliability profile is notably clean, though the top complaint area—air bags—warrants attention for researchers tracking long-term safety system performance. This model year thus sits as a relatively trouble-free entry in the C-Max’s history, suggesting that for a researcher, the 2018 represents a stable point in the model’s lifecycle with minimal systemic issues.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy42/38/40 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 67R · 390 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 67R · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/50R17OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3858 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined42 / 38 / 40 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume24 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the C-Max of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.6–16.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2017 Energi Plug-In Hybrid SE Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Energi Plug-In Hybrid SE Wagon 2.0L I-4 + Elec 7.6-kWh7.60 sec16.00 sec188 hpFWD
2017Hybrid SE Wagon 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.4-kWh7.90 sec16.10 sec188 hpFWD
2013Energi Plug-In Hybrid Wagon 2.0L I-4 + Elec 7.6-kWh7.90 sec16.10 sec188 hpFWD
2013Hybrid SEL Wagon 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.4-kWh8.10 sec16.20 sec188 hpFWD
2013Hybrid SEL Wagon 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.4-kWh8.10 sec16.20 sec188 hpFWD
2013Energi Plug-In Hybrid Wagon 2.0L I-4 + Elec 7.6-kWh8.50 sec16.70 sec188 hpFWD
2013Hybrid SEL Wagon 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.4-kWh8.80 sec16.70 sec188 hpFWD
2013Energi Plug-In Hybrid Wagon (Electric Only) 2.0L I-4 + Elec 7.6-kWh16.10 sec20.20 sec188 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)Front: 14.7; Rear: 14.7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsInstall New Studs: 12.5 ft-lbs;
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts12.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.051 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.62 lbs.
Oil TypeMotorcraft YN-32 compressor oil
Oil Capacity5.20 oz
Standard BCI Group Number67R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance390 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum51.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum65.0 psi
RPM51.0-65.0 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque21
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 129; Rear: 52
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .906; Rear: .354
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
162.0 inch lbs.62 in
212.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
260
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
221.0 ft. lbs.21 ft. lbs
390.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
259.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
383.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
221.0 ft. lbs.21 ft. lbs
390.0
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
2180.0 inch lbs.180 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for this generation shows complaints dropping sharply from seven in 2016 to one in 2017, with zero recalls, investigations, or technical service bulletins logged in either year. For 2018, the data identifies top complaint areas of air bags (2), power train (1), steering/electrical (1), and fuel/propulsion (1), alongside two crash complaints and zero fire complaints, though it does not specify recalls or investigations for that model year. This places 2018 roughly midway in the generation's arc—higher than 2017's low but lower than 2016's peak—suggesting low and variable rather than escalating federal scrutiny. The data does not specify root causes for any of the 2018 complaints. Given the sparse filings across the generation and the absence of recalls in the record through 2017, the 2018 C-Max appears to be a comparatively sound used-car choice within this dataset.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags2
Power Train1
Steering,Electrical System1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Seat Belts1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Visibility/Wiper1
Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 24-21652024-05-27Unknown Or OtherThis article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some 2016 MKS…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
TSB 22-23962022-10-25Power TrainSome 2013-2020 Fusion, MKZ and 2013-2018 C-Max vehicles equipped with an HF35…
SSM 509752022-07-29Electrical SystemSome 2017-2022 Ford/Lincoln customers may experience a notification in the…
SSM 507442022-05-04Power TrainSome 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Corsair, 2022…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific C-Max. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 C-Max have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the C-Max get?

EPA figures are 42 city / 38 highway / 40 combined mpg.