Total Complaints
65 filings
FORD C-MAX ENERGI · model year
65 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2013FORDC-MAX ENERGI carries 65 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 C-MAX ENERGI is electrical system with 19 filings, followed by steering (9) and power train (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2013 C-MAX ENERGI, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
65 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 19 |
| STEERING | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN | 7 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
| WHEELS | 3 |
| ENGINE | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
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. Th
The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention camera displayed the image upside down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
Mileage: 144,000
The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was a grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle; followed by the vehicle shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the front axle and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 73,000.
Mileage: 73,000
The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was a grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle; followed by the vehicle shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the front axle and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 73,000.
Mileage: 73,000
The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The consumer stated after contacting NHTSA, the dealer was able to locate the parts and repair the recall.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the transmission inadvertently downshifted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rear bearings needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the rear bearings; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to Sheehy Ford Lincoln of Gaithersburg (901 N Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20879) where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 14B07. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance since the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 350,000.
Mileage: 350,000
The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked up. The contact stated that it was difficult to turn the steering wheel. The contact received help from her passenger to pull off the road. The contact stopped and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that she had stopped driving the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message appeared on the screen indicating an unknown fault. The contact stated that while driving, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic declined to diagnose the vehicle and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. VIN tool confirms part not available. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a message to Stop Safely was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle would slow independently and lose motive power. The contact stated that the failure occurred approximately every 6-months. The contact stated that during the failure, the contact would pull over and restart the vehicle after a few minutes before resuming normal driving. The contact took her vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 121,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BEARING FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED HIS OWN INSPECTION AND NOTICED THE BEARING HAD CREATED A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Mileage: 152,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, WATER CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER THE BATTERY WAS SATURATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROSWELL FORD (821 N MAIN ST, ROSWELL, NM 88201: (888 881-7087)) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT EH BATTERY NEEDED REPLACEMENT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 57,000
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 REPAIR. NO SHORTS SINCE REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY PART.
Mileage: 37,500
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 REPAIR. NO SHORTS SINCE REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY PART.
Mileage: 37,500
CONSISTENT ROLLING NOISE HEARD WHILE DRIVING. WHEEL BEARINGS ON BOTH REAR WHEELS NEEDED REPLACED AT 57,500 MILES.
Mileage: 57,500
I CHARGER WAS RECALLED IN AUGUST 2018. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOY AVAILABLE. I CANNOT CHARGE MY CAR WITHOUT RISKING A FIRE.
2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILED CHARGING CABLE. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR CABLE PURCHASED PRIOR TO RECALL. *LD *JS
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO THE GROCERY STORE, A WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT STATED POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE STEERING INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED UP BUT WITH SIGNIFICANT EFFORT, I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE.
Mileage: 20,000
RE: POWER CORD FOR HYBRID CHARGING SYSTEM. IT IS FAULTY AND DANGEROUS! SAFETYRECALL #: 18S24. NHTSA RECALL: 18V-592 I PURCHASED A VEHICLE (USED) LOCALLY FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP-MULLINAX FORD IN NORTH PALM BEACH FL. UNFORTUNATELY THE POWER CORD WAS NOT WITH THE VEHICLE AND THEY HAD TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP IT CAME FROM, AND GEORGIA, TO SEND A POWER CORD. AS IT TURNS OUT THAT POWER CORD IS FAULTY FROM DAY ONE. IT OVERHEATS IN JUST MINUTES. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES, BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY CONFIRMED THE POWER CORD WAS INDEED FAULTY. THEY HAD FIRST SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT FORD AND WOULD COVER IT. WELL THEY LIED AND DID NOT COVER IT. AND I'M STUCK WITH PAYING FOR AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT CHARGE, PAID EXTRA TO HAVE A FORD CERTIFIED, SO I THEN COULD PAY EVEN MORE TO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. NONE OF WHICH COVERS THIS FAULTY POWER CORD THE ONE THAT PROBABLY DID NOT EVEN COME WITH THE VEHICLE. THEN, I HAVE RECEIVED NOT ONE BUT TWO NOTICES FROM THE
Mileage: 20,000
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE NIGHT DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ABOUT THE POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WASN'T ON A BUSY STREET SO I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. THE SERVICE LIGHT AND MESSAGE WERE NO LONGER THERE. I STILL HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. THAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TRY AND GET TO A SHOP WHILE THE SERVICE LIGHT IS ON SO THEY CAN SEE WHAT CODE POPS UP. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON TRAVELING ON THAT ROAD AND MY RATE OF SPEED WASN'T THAT HIGH. IF THE PROBLEM WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY OR A BUSIER INTERSECTION IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL.
THE CAR IS COMPLETELY DEAD. NO LIGHTS AND WILL NOT START. THIS IS THE FORTH TIME AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM
Mileage: 53,000
FORD ISSUED A RECALL IN AUGUST 2018 WITH STILL NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. THIS IS A LONG TIME AND I'D LIKE A FIX SOON.
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.