VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford C-Max problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 231 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.6 times the median C-Max year — the 2013 model ranks #1 of 6 C-Max years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (53), steering (39), and transmission (37), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

231

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other C-Max years?

C-Max NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted231 complaints2013: 231 complaints2014: 104 complaints2015: 60 complaints2016: 40 complaints2017: 26 complaints2018: 12 complaints
C-Max NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C-Max years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5323%
Steering3917%
Transmission3716%
Other2913%
Engine177%
Body & Structure136%
Speed Control83%
Brakes83%
Fuel System63%
Airbags42%
Tires & Wheels42%
Lighting31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Driver Assistance21%
Latches & Locks21%
Seat Belts21%
Suspension10%
Seats10%

Does the 2013 Ford C-Max have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V413000TransmissionJune 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

20V331000Latches & LocksJune 8, 2020 · 2,147,323 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.

18V592000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2018 · 49,197 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.

Consequence

An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S24.

16V643000Latches & LocksSeptember 6, 2016 · 2,046,297 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

14V597000Seat BeltsSeptember 26, 2014 · 746,842 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.

Consequence

The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.

14V237000AirbagsMay 7, 2014 · 594,785 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.

Consequence

If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.

14V164000SeatsApril 2, 2014 · 43,135 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence

The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THIS VEHICLE'S EV CHARGE CORD HAD AN INCIDENT THAT SEEMED TO HEAT UP / BEND THE CORD NEAR THE PLUG BACK IN 2016. I REPORTED TO FORD AT THE TIME, THEY SAID DO NOT USE THE CORD AND SAID THEY HAD A RESOLUTION UPCOMING. TO KEEP ANYONE FROM USING THE CORD, I CUT IT UP AND SENT OFF THE PARTS FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 29, 2019 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 20, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS-13704524-H7N0D5. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 17, 2017

“The car was parked and turned off, I came out to the car and found the electrical charging cord had caught on fire at the base of the handle that inserts into the car. The area melted/disintegrated. It was covered in soot. The charger had been plugged into the car for about 1 hour. Fortunately my…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 10, 2021 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER; THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 30, 2014

2013 Ford C-Max — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford C-Max reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 231 complaints put the 2013 model at #1 of 6 C-Max years. It is one of the C-Max years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 C-Max problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (53 complaints), steering (39 complaints), transmission (37 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford C-Max have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Ford C-Max. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford C-Max years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C-Max years to avoid are 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among C-Max years belongs to 2018.

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.