YearToAvoid

2013 Ford C-Max Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 6 C-Max years

The 2013 Ford C-Max ranks worst of the 6 model years covered, with a Complaint Index of 100, 187 complaints, and 8 recalls. Its top problem area is the Electrical System (28% of complaints), followed by Steering (21%) and Transmission & Powertrain (20%). NHTSA data mark it Avoid relative to other C-Max years.

Complaints
187
Recalls
8
Crashes / fires
4 / 5
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
40
42 city / 37 hwy

Top 2013 Ford C-Max problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System52 (28%)
  2. Steering39 (21%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain37 (20%)
  4. Other29 (16%)
  5. Engine23 (12%)
  6. Structure & Body15 (8%)
  7. Brakes9 (5%)
  8. Fuel System6 (3%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
  10. Airbags4 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of power steering assist while driving, sometimes with a warning light before the wheel becomes hard to turn.
  • Some describe the car dying or losing all power at highway speed, with a dashboard message telling the driver to stop safely.
  • Others report dead batteries and no-start conditions even after the vehicle sat parked overnight in a garage.
  • Several owners describe unintended acceleration or the brakes failing to stop the car quickly, leading to crashes into walls or other vehicles.
  • One owner reported the electric charge cord melting and starting a small fire at a household outlet.
2013 Ford C-Max complaints: complaints filed per quarter162014 Q22016 Q12017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32022 Q12023 Q32025 Q2
226 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2020 Q2 (16).

2013 Ford C-Max recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles

    Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 20V331000Jun 8, 2020Structure & Body2,147,323 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 18V592000Sep 10, 2018Other49,197 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 8 recalls for the 2013 Ford C-Max →

2013 Ford C-Max fuel economy and fuel cost

City
42 MPG
Highway
37 MPG
Combined
40 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other C-Max years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201320142015201620172018
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Avoid100187840
2014Avoid80808 !39
2015Caution6052639

All Ford C-Max years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ford C-Max reliable?
Among the 6 C-Max model years with data, 2013 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst overall, with 187 complaints and 8 recalls, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
What problems does the 2013 Ford C-Max have?
NHTSA complaints show Electrical System issues lead at 28% of complaints, followed by Steering at 21% and Transmission & Powertrain at 20%. Median mileage at failure ranges from 34,000 for Fuel System complaints to 87,000 for Transmission & Powertrain complaints.
Does the 2013 Ford C-Max have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2013 C-Max, covering areas including Transmission & Powertrain, Structure & Body, Seat Belts, and Airbags.
How does the 2013 C-Max compare to later years?
Complaint Index drops steadily after 2013: 80 in 2014, 60 in 2015, 40 in 2016, and 20 in 2017, with 2017 and 2018 rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Ford C-Max?
EPA rates it at 40 mpg combined (42 city/37 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $1,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.