2013 Ford C-MAX
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 186 |
| 2014 | 79 |
| 2015 | 48 |
| 2016 | 33 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 10 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
27% of complaints: electrical system — 50 distinct reports on file.
FIRE21% of complaints: steering — 39 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170424
On the morning of 12/13/23 I got in my car to go to work. Upon starting my car the warning light for service power steering came on. I noticed the car was very hard to steer when existing my drive way.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231213
20% of complaints: power train — 37 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
I have owned this car for the last 9 years and have kept It well-maintained. For over a year, the car stalls in the midst of driving, even on a highway, leaving me the only option to find a shoulder or safe area to park.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231018
9% of complaints: engine — 16 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles.
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.
Campaign 14V237000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 14V164000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 14V597000 — check if this car was fixed
Door Latch Failure
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.
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.
Campaign 16V643000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V592000 — check if this car was fixed
Door Latch Failures
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.
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.
Campaign 20V331000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 22V413000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2013 Ford C-MAX — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (50 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (39 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (37 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 14V237000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V164000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V597000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V643000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V592000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V331000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V413000 (power train) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2013 Ford C-MAX reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford C-MAX?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford C-MAX have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.