- What you'll get from Ford C-Max VIN check?
- Ford C-Max Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Ford C-Max VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Ford C-Max
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford C-Max VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Ford C-Max VIN.
- 10th Character in the Ford C-Max VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Ford C-Max VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Ford C-Max Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford C-Max
- How to find a Ford C-Max's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford C-Max
What you’ll get from Ford C-Max VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, such as 2018, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Make: The manufacturer’s brand for this VIN is Ford, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin.
- Model: The Ford C-Max is indicated, with a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) body class, front-wheel drive, and electronic continuously variable (e-CVT) transmission style, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Type: The VIN encodes the engine specifications, indicating a 2.0L in-line configuration, produced by Ford with a displacement of 2000 CC or 122.047 CI, and an engine brake horsepower starting from 188 hp, highlighting the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: Standard safety features indicated by the VIN include anti-lock braking system (ABS), automatic crash notification, electronic stability control (ESC), and airbag locations (front, knee for the driver, and side for the 1st and 2nd rows), enhancing the vehicle’s safety profile.
- Fuel Efficiency: The VIN specifies the primary and secondary fuel types as gasoline and electric power, characteristic of hybrid electric vehicles, ensuring efficient fuel use and reduced emissions.
- Production Details: Information on the manufacturing, such as the plant country being the United States, plant state Michigan, and the city Wayne, provides insight into the vehicle’s production location and possibly its quality control standards.
- Advanced Technology and Convenience Features: The VIN points to the inclusion of advanced technology such as a reverse sensing system, cross traffic alert, backup camera, keyless ignition, and tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), indicating advanced features in the vehicle.
Ford C-Max Vehicle History Risk Factors
Ford’s used vehicle market is enormous — the F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in America — which means the range of vehicle condition is equally wide. A Bumper VIN check on a used Ford addresses several high-frequency issues.
1.0L and 1.5L EcoBoost coolant intrusion (2013–2018 Escape, Fusion, Focus). Ford’s smaller EcoBoost engines in this generation had a well-documented defect where coolant could leak into the engine, causing overheating and, in some cases, engine fires. NHTSA investigated this issue extensively. A service record showing repeated coolant top-offs or a replaced head gasket is a significant red flag on these models.
6R80 transmission issues on F-150 (2011–2016). Ford’s six-speed automatic in this generation of F-150 generated substantial owner complaints and TSBs related to shuddering, hard shifts, and converter clutch failure. High-mileage examples from this era warrant close inspection of transmission service records.
Rust and frame integrity on pre-2015 F-150s. Earlier aluminum-free F-150s are susceptible to frame and cab corner rust in northern states. Check ownership registration history — a truck that’s spent its life in the Rust Belt will have a different condition profile than one from the Southwest.
Salvage frequency on high-demand models. F-150s, Mustangs, and Explorers appear disproportionately in salvage and rebuilt title databases because of their volume and resale value. Title washing — where a salvage-titled vehicle is re-registered in a lenient state to obtain a clean title — is a real risk on popular Ford trucks and SUVs.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Ford C-Max VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ford C-Max VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. The first three characters of a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) consist of the WMI, which provides crucial information about where the vehicle was made and by whom. Specifically, for the Ford C-Max models produced between 2013 and 2018, the WMI 1FA signifies that they were manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. This code is integral to vehicle tracking, registration, and recall operations. It also indicates that these vehicles fall under the Passenger Car category, distinguishing them in automotive databases and records.
List of WMI Codes for a Ford C-Max
WMI: 1FA
- Model Years Covered: 2013-2018
- Example VIN: 1FADP5AU0DL500407
- Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Dearborn
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford C-Max VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Ford’s Vehicle Descriptor Section follows a consistent encoding structure across its F-Series, Explorer, Mustang, and Escape lineups, though the specific codes vary considerably by platform generation. For F-150s, the VDS encodes cab configuration, bed length, and engine type — all critical details when evaluating a used truck, since a VIN that decodes to a base 3.3L V6 is a very different vehicle than one with the 5.0L Coyote V8 or the 3.5L EcoBoost. The engine character in the VDS is particularly important on Ford’s turbocharged EcoBoost models, where buyers frequently need to verify the specific engine variant for maintenance planning and insurance purposes.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Ford C-Max VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Ford C-Max VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 2018 Ford C-Max |
| H | 2017 Ford C-Max |
| G | 2016 Ford C-Max |
| F | 2015 Ford C-Max |
| E | 2014 Ford C-Max |
| D | 2013 Ford C-Max |
11th Character in the Ford C-Max VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ford C-Max Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | Wayne | Michigan | United States | Michigan Assy | 1FADP5AU0DL500407 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford C-Max
The final 6 characters in a Ford C-Max’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Ford C-Max’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ford C-Max is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Ford C-Max. This is a common place where the VIN is displayed.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area of your Ford C-Max. There should be a VIN plate or sticker visible when the door is open.
- For some Ford C-Max models, the VIN can also be found under the hood near the engine block. It may be stamped on a metal plate or sticker.
- Check your Ford C-Max’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, as the VIN is always printed there for identification purposes.
Don’t have your Ford C-Max’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford C-Max
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | Reverse Sensing System: Standard; Forward Sensing System: Optional; Cross Traffic Alert: Optional; My Key Tech |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 27275 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Optional |
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.04748818946 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.0 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Drive Type | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electrification Level | Strong HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 188 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Model | 2.0L ATK IVCT HEV |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Fuel Type - Secondary | Electric |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | Driver Seat Only |
| Model | C-Max |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Plant City | Wayne |
| Plant Company Name | Michigan assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | TITANIUM FHEV |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 115 |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Style | Electronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1FADP5DU*JL |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 104.3 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 17 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 17 |
| Sample VIN | 1FADP5DU0JL100029 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Ford C-Max for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Ford C-Max?
On most Ford vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Ford C-Max's history for free?
Enter the Ford C-Max’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Ford C-Max VIN numbers start with?
Ford C-Max VIN's start with 1FA for vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Ford C-Max.
Decode a Ford VIN
Look up a Ford C-Max by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today