YearToAvoid

2013 Ford C-Max Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 23 engine complaints for the 2013 Ford C-Max, 12% of that year's 187 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 71,114. No related recall is listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
23
12% of 187
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
71,114 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden loss of power while driving at highway speed, with the dash showing a "stop safely now" warning.
  • Several report the engine (gas, electric, or both) shutting off unexpectedly during normal driving, then restarting fine afterward.
  • Some describe the gas engine failing to start or engage while the electric motor alone kept the car moving at low speed.
  • A few owners report the vehicle stalling on the highway with no acceleration available afterward.
  • One complaint describes the vehicle failing to restart after being parked, later traced to a battery or unnamed module problem.

When 2013 Ford C-Max engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 8, 2014, latest Apr 7, 2026.

2013 Ford C-Max engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2014Apr 2015Feb 2018Jun 2020Apr 2021Dec 2023Sep 2025
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2014 to Apr 2026; peak Jun 2014 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Ford C-Max

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by C-Max model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201323 (12%)
  2. 20147 (9%)
  3. 20155 (10%)
  4. 20162 (9%)
  5. 20173 (20%)
  6. 20180 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2013 Ford C-Max?
NHTSA lists 23 engine complaints for the 2013 C-Max, which is 12% of the 187 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Ford C-Max engine issue?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine problem area.
At what mileage do 2013 C-Max engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 71,114 miles.
What do owners describe happening with the 2013 C-Max engine?
Owners describe sudden power loss with a "stop safely now" warning, unexpected engine shutdowns while driving, and cases where the gas engine failed to start while the electric motor kept the car moving.
Were there any crashes linked to the 2013 C-Max engine complaints?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 0 fires among the complaints logged in this engine problem area.

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.