2013 Ford C-MAX Energi Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report charge cords, charging units and outlets that overheat, melt or burn, often while charging at home. Power steering failures that come and go, and recall repair parts that took a long time to become available, are the next most common themes. Transmission failures, sudden power loss and 12-volt battery drains that leave the car unable to start are also reported.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Charge cords and outlets that overheat, melt or burn

   • 11 complaints (22%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2019

   Owners describe charge cords and charging units that overheat, melt or burn, including melted plugs, scorched wall outlets and discolored sockets. Some complaints mention fire risk, including a garage fire after the car was left charging overnight, which the complaint says investigators linked to the charging car, and an outlet burned so badly that its ground fault breaker could not be reset. Owners attribute the problem to the cord itself, including a heavy control unit built into the cord that pulls the prongs partly out of the outlet, and some say the cord was faulty from the start. Some owners say the dealer did not diagnose or repair the problem, and another complaint seeks reimbursement for a cord bought before a recall. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 20,000 to about 93,000 miles, and several describe melting at home charging outlets.

   What to check: Ask the seller whether the charge cord is the original unit and whether any charge cord recall was completed. Inspect the plug, cord and home outlets for melting, discoloration or burn marks before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The 120 volt, 12 amp charge cord that came with my car (Ford part no. Fm58-10b706ac) is overheating creating a fire hazard. The end of the cord that plugs into the wall has melted and the plug has left burn marks on three different electrical outlets on my house where I plug the car in to charge. Photos of the melted cord and outlet burn marks are attached. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10904811, filed 2016-09, 23,000 miles

   “We have used the supplied utility 120v charging cable since we acquired the car to charge it at home. Recently, I noticed that the utility cable plug was melted and the weatherproof socket fixture plastic housing was burnt I changed the unit to a different outdoor outlet. It burned that outlet so badly that it's gfci was tripped and could not be reset. Fearing a possible house fire, I stopped using the cord. I reported it to our Ford dealer as a hazardous product defect. Out of warranty was the reply. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11098863, filed 2018-05, 63,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering failures and sudden loss of assist

   • 9 complaints (18%)
   • median 37,500 mi at 5.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2022

   Owners describe power steering that quits while driving, often with a warning light or message, leaving the wheel very hard to turn or locked. Some describe steering that fails in the middle of a turn or while backing out of a driveway, and the steering often returned after the engine was switched off and restarted. In some complaints the dealer could not find a fault, while others say the electronic steering gear, the steering column or the power steering gear was replaced. A complaint says a failure in the middle of a turn nearly led to a crash. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 1,500 to about 140,000 miles, and several come before 25,000 miles.

   What to check: During a test drive, turn the wheel at low speed and check that the steering stays smooth and the power steering warning stays off. Ask whether any electronic steering gear, column or power steering gear repairs were done, and check for stored steering codes during an inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For the past couple months the steering sounded like it needed lubrication, but I couldn't find any lubrication points everything is sealed, then the other day while my wife was driving the steering went out and a warning message appeared service power steering assist now and the steering wheel locked up ( it would only go straight not right or left) luckily she was going into a turn with a turn out next to it so she could get it stopped. She re started the car and had manual steering and got the car home. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11034471, filed 2017-10, 75,000 miles

   “Backing out of driveway and power steering failed. Warning light went on. I stopped driving immediately and called local Ford dealer service. They suggested restarting the car to see if steering resumed and it did. They offered a free tow which I declined when I saw I had non power steering if needed. Dealer close by and I drove at very low speed. Three days later the car repair was completed (july 4th weekend). The work on the invoice was trace and replace power steering gear set alignment with part# 1 cv6z*3504 gear asy - steering. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10608322, filed 2014-07, 22,854 miles
3. 3
   Other or unknown

   Recall repair parts unavailable for long periods

   • 9 complaints (18%)
   • median 31,750 mi at 4.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2023

   Owners describe recall notices for which the dealer did not have the repair part, with repairs still waiting on parts for an extended period. The campaigns described cover charging equipment, door latches, the powertrain and seat belts, and in some complaints the dealer or manufacturer could not give an estimated date for the parts. Some owners say the symptom continued while they waited, such as a check engine light or a difficult door latch. A complaint says the parts had not reached dealers long after the recall notice was issued. Where mileage is given, these complaints fall between about 26,000 and 50,000 miles, and most were filed in 2017 or later.

   What to check: Ask the seller for each open recall number and check with the manufacturer's recall lookup whether a remedy is available. Ask for written confirmation that the recall repair has been done before buying, since a missing part can leave a recall open for a long time.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a recall from Ford NHTSA recall number 14v597 Ford recall number 14s21 on september 25, 2014 it has been a year now and Ford has not provided the parts. Is not a year sufficient time to supply the parts and repair my car?”

   NHTSA complaint #10777382, filed 2015-09

   “The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that the door latch failed and the door was difficult to open and close. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The dealer and manufacturer were called on multiple occasions and stated that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be provided. The failure mileage was 26,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10926131, filed 2016-11, 26,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failures and sudden power loss

   • 8 complaints (16%)
   • median 88,581 mi at 4.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2023

   Owners describe transmission failures, including a loud noise from under the hood, grinding and shaking, an unexpected downshift, and a transmission bearing that failed and leaked fluid. Other complaints describe the vehicle losing drive power and slowing, with a stop safely or stop vehicle now message, sometimes at highway speed. Some complaints say no warning light came on before the failure. In one reported case the dealer replaced rear bearings and the failure returned. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 13,400 to about 350,000 miles, and the transmission failures all occur above about 70,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether any powertrain recall work was completed and whether any transmission codes are stored. On a test drive, listen for grinding, whining or shaking, and ask about past transmission or bearing repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on an interstate at night at 70mph the car turned off its propulsion system without warning. A red warning indicator came on staying stop safely now. My wife was able to pull to the side of the interstate. She turned the car off and it restarted. The next day she drove it to the supermarket. On the 2 mile drive home it stopped multiple times while the car was in motion just like it had on the interstate. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10899097, filed 2016-08, 49,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11514772, filed 2023-03, 73,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   12-volt battery drains and car will not start

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • median 50,450 mi at 5.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2020

   Owners describe a 12-volt battery that drains suddenly, leaving the car dead with no lights, or unable to start after sitting a day or two. Some complaints describe a radio that stays on after shutoff, or electrical modules that stay powered, which drains the battery. Some owners say the battery was replaced but the fault returned, and one service bulletin calls for an electronic module to be replaced with the battery, a step the complaint says the dealer did not perform. A complaint says the manufacturer declined to pay for reprogramming beyond the normal warranty. Where mileage is given, these reports fall between about 26,000 and 76,000 miles, and some describe the problem returning after repairs.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the 12-volt battery service bulletin and any module software update were applied, and have the battery and charging system tested before buying. Ask how long the car sat before it would not start, since that timing helps show whether the battery is draining while parked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car failed to start for 2 consecutive days after non-operation overnight and when I took the dealership they said they need to perform a TSB 15-0089, since my car was out of warranty less than 2 months, Ford said I need to pay $1500 to fix this issue. Based on research this issues seems to affect multiple vehicles in this category and Ford is not owning up to fixing this issue that is affecting these cars.”

   NHTSA complaint #10862914, filed 2016-05, 28,400 miles

   “Hello my 12v battery is discharging suddenly and without reason. The battery has been replaced and the fault returns. According to TSB 15-0089, when replacing the battery in the 2013 car, the electronic module should be replaced. The dealer never performed this step, the Ford motor company does not take responsibility for the dealer. I'm afraid that eventually my car will burn. This faulty electronic module (modem or telemetrics) is located near the high voltage lion battery. Please help . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11155970, filed 2018-12

Buying note. Before buying, check the charge cord, plug and home outlets for melting or burn marks, and ask whether any charging recall was completed. Ask for records of power steering, transmission and 12-volt battery repairs, since these are the other main complaint areas for this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.