VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford C-Max Energi problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 65 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median C-Max Energi year — the 2013 model ranks #1 of 5 C-Max Energi years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (29% of the total).

65

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

3

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other C-Max Energi years?

C-Max Energi NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted65 complaints2013: 65 complaints2014: 39 complaints2015: 19 complaints2016: 19 complaints2017: 6 complaints
C-Max Energi NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C-Max Energi years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Ford C-Max Energi problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1929%
Steering914%
Transmission812%
Other69%
Body & Structure46%
Fuel System46%
Tires & Wheels46%
Engine35%
Speed Control23%
Suspension23%
Seat Belts12%
Driver Assistance12%
Latches & Locks12%
Airbags12%

Does the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V475000Electrical SystemOctober 17, 2013 · 23,000 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

Without an audible door chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and exit the vehicle without being reminded that the vehicle is still operational, leaving the vehicle susceptible to theft.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C07.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE 120 VOLT, 12 AMP CHARGE CORD THAT CAME WITH MY CAR (FORD PART NO. FM58-10B706AC) IS OVERHEATING CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THE END OF THE CORD THAT PLUGS INTO THE WALL HAS MELTED AND THE PLUG HAS LEFT BURN MARKS ON THREE DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL OUTLETS ON MY HOUSE WHERE I PLUG THE CAR IN TO CHARGE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 2016 · fire

“POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT. CAR WAS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. POOR DESIGN OF COLUMN THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICLES CAUSED SHORTS THROUGHOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS RESULTED IN THREE PAGES WORTH OF SYSTEM ERRORS WHEN CHECKED. $2,000 TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 10, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STOP VEHICLE NOW INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SLOWED TO A STOP WITHIN 200 YARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 4, 2017

“CAR WAS PLUGGED IN TO CHARGE OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE. EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. CAR BURNED TO THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION POINTS TOWARDS THE CHARGING CAR AS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 6, 2018 · fire

“THE FORD EV CHARGE CORD (FORD PART NO. FM58-10B706AC) THAT CAME WITH MY 2013 CMAX ENERGI DRAWS TOO MUCH CURRENT AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. I JUST FILED A VEHICLE COMPLAINT (NO. 10904811) WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MELTED CORD AND BURN MARKS ON MY OUTLETS, DESCRIBING THE HAZARD IN DETAIL. IT IS LIKELY THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 1, 2016 · fire

2013 Ford C-Max Energi — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 65 complaints put the 2013 model at #1 of 5 C-Max Energi years. It is one of the C-Max Energi years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 C-Max Energi problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (19 complaints), steering (9 complaints), transmission (8 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford C-Max Energi years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C-Max Energi years to avoid are 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among C-Max Energi years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.