2013 Ford Redundant C-Max Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (25) · Steering (13) · Power Train (12)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
101 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Structure 2013-07-10 · campaign 13V303000 · 33,021 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2013 C-Max hybrid vehicles, without panoramic roofs, that were manufactured January 19, 2012, through June 25, 2013. During vehicle testing, the vehicle exceeded a head injury criteria requirement set by the standard. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
Risk: In the event of a crash, an occupant could be at an increased risk of an injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install energy absorbers between the headliner and the roof. The recall began on August 5, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C02.
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2013-03-07 · campaign 13V085000 · 5,675 vehicles
Defect: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.
Risk: The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Service bulletins (46)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2020-06-30 · TSB 20-2219 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2013-2016 fusion/mkz/c-max vehicles equipped with an hf35 transmission and built on or before 15-aug-2015 may exhibit a thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission. the noise may be present in all gear ranges including neutral when the vehicle is moving but will not be prese
Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields 2020-05-18 · TSB 20-2171 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2013-2018 c-max, 2013-2020 escape/fusion/mkz, 2015-2018 focus,2015-2019 mkc, 2015-2020 edge/f150/mustang, 2016-2018 mkx, 2016-2019 explorer, 2017-2020 f-super duty, 2018-2020 ecosport/expedition, 2019-2020 ranger/nautilus vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement, or a clunk/
Visibility:glass, Side/Rear 2019-08-09 · SSM 48130 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. this is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or disc
Electrical System:software 2015-07-20 · 15B04 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb contains an owner letter. see document search button below. bulletin information involving 2013-2014 modelyear c-max hybrid electric vehicles software update. some of the vehicles , certain electronic control modues may not time out or power down correctly when vehicle is not in use. *lj
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2015-07-01 · 44863 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: no service action is recommended for this condition. please use at your discretion. various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear door window(s) or sunroof are open. *ta
Electrical System:software 2015-05-18 · 15B04 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb contains owner notification letter. select document search button below. ford 2013-2014 c-max hybrid: customer satisfaction program regarding 12volt battery test and module software update. *lj
Showing the 6 most recent of 46 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-13 · Hybrid Propulsion System · 107,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. the message "stop safely now'" was displayed on the screen. the contact was able to pull to the side of the road. however, no cause for the failure was found. …”
2026-02-23 · Electrical System · 36,463 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. the contact stated that on several occasions, while the vehicle was parked, it failed to start. the vehicle was jump-started on several occasions but needed to be towed occasionally. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with battery failure. the contact was informed tha…”
2025-10-22 · Back Over Prevention · 230,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. the contact stated that while in reverse, the rearview camera failed to display a rearview image, potentially compromising the back over prevention system. the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. the rearview camera warning light was illuminated. the vehic…”
2025-08-01 · Structure · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. the contact stated while driving approximately 15-20 mph, the steering wheel was wobbly. the contact exited the highway immediately and was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. the contact then pulled into a parking lot and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear …”
2024-12-10 · Engine · 70,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. the contact stated while driving on three occasions at approximately 30-55 mph, several unknown warning lights were flashing. the message to shift to park(p) was flashing. the vehicle was shifted to park, and the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. the contact's husband assisted with restarting the vehi…”
2024-11-12 · Power Train · 180,000 mi“the contact's wife owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. the contact stated there was an abnormal hissing and crackling sound coming from the vehicle. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagn…”
2024-10-09 · Structure · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. the contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, the driver’s side doors failed to latch closed. the contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to get another driver’s attention, he became aware that the horn was not functioning as needed. the vehicle returned to normal …”
2024-09-19 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate · 160,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. the contact stated while driving 35 mph, the hatchback ajar message was displayed. the contact attempted to raise the liftgate; however, the liftgate failed to raise up. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact stated that the failure persisted. the manufacturer wa…”
2022-08-01 · Power Train“the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. the vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. addition…”
2022-07-26 · Power Train“the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max hybrid. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v413000 (power train) and 20v331000 (latches, locks, and linkages) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. the manufactur…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.