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Ford C-MAX HybridModel year report

2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid Problems

Complaints
120filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
32,000miles, 101 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
40 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 42 city / 37 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report a 12-volt battery that goes flat while the car is parked, leaving it unable to start or unlock until jumped or towed, sometimes repeatedly despite battery replacements. A second common theme is loss of power steering assist, sometimes preceded by a warning message, before the wheel feels heavy. Door and liftgate latches that fail to open or latch, and transmission noise or hesitation, are also described by smaller groups of owners.

  1. Electrical system

    Dead 12-volt battery / vehicle won't start

    • 29 complaints (24%)
    • median 30,000 mi at 2.9 yrs old (27 state mileage)
    • filed 2013–2026

    Owners describe returning to a parked car that is completely unresponsive: no start, no response to the key fob, and sometimes no working electronics, requiring a jump start or tow. Dealers have replaced the 12-volt battery, performed software updates, or run diagnostics that found nothing wrong, yet the problem often returns. Some owners also report the radio or SYNC system failing to shut off, which they connect with the battery draining overnight. Reported from a few hundred miles up to well past 100,000 miles, often after the car sits parked overnight or for several days, including in cold weather.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the 12-volt battery test and module software update has been done, and check how old the 12-volt battery is. After locking the car, confirm the radio and display shut off.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My car has been completely electrically dead approximately 4 times. When it is fixed it eventually happens again. I have to use the key in the key fob to open the car and when I push the start button it doesn't start. The batteries in the key fob are not dead. It is very worrisome to not know if my car will start. This happens in a parked and turned off situation.”

    NHTSA complaint #11234034, filed 2019-07, 40,000 miles

    “My 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid battery is dead in the garage again. No electrical systems were left on overnight. The car does not have a traditional battery to start the engine; it uses the hybrid battery to do that. This is the 4th time my car is dead. I called aaa twice and charged/jumped it myself with a battery charger the other times. I took it to the dealer twice and they could not find any issues, of course. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10650811, filed 2014-10, 35,000 miles
  2. Steering

    Loss of power steering assist

    • 14 complaints (12%)
    • median 50,137 mi at 4.5 yrs old (14 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2013–2019

    Owners describe a check power steering or steering assist message followed by the wheel becoming very heavy or locking up, sometimes while driving and sometimes on the next restart. Dealers have diagnosed failed steering racks or electronic steering modules and quoted repairs in the thousands of dollars once out of warranty. Some owners say the fault was reset or attributed to tire pressures rather than repaired. Mostly reported between about 15,000 and 90,000 miles, sometimes shortly after refueling or after the car sits.

    What to check: During a test drive, check that no steering assist warning appears and that the wheel turns easily at low speed; ask whether the steering rack or module has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The steering power box apparently failed on sept. 18 when I was going to work. The check power steering light came on and then the steering wheel locked up when I tried to back out of my parking place and then when I tried to ease back into it, I had it towed to mccafferty Ford in langhorne, pa where it was diagnosed as the steering power box failure. I did a google search and found the 2014 cmax hybrids have been recalled for this issue. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11024975, filed 2017-09, 46,274 miles

    “While driving down the road on the highway the power steering went out almost causing .a wreck. The power steering light came on found out there is no way of putting power steering fluid in vehicle. Its a eps system failure ,Ford dealership told us it would cost $2000.00 to fix. Then we seen on the internet several other people with the same complaint.”

    NHTSA complaint #11091745, filed 2018-05, 84,000 miles
  3. Engine

    Engine or hybrid system shuts off while driving

    Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners describe the car losing power or stalling at speed, sometimes with a stop safely now message and several warning lights, then restarting normally after a wait. Complaints mention repeated tows where the dealer could not duplicate the fault, and one reports corrosion at a battery junction box. Another describes the engine racing on startup after a short park. Spread from a few hundred miles up to about 120,000 miles, with no clear pattern in conditions.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether any stored diagnostic codes or warning-lamp events have been investigated, and have the battery connections and junction box checked for corrosion.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I put the car in reverse to back out of the drive way and when I stopped, I couldn't go backwards. I pulled forward and parked. Pulled back again and the car didn't do it again. The engine light did come on and I took the car to the dealership. They had it for two weeks. Ford said it is a reverse delay problem and they know about it. Ford is working on a fix. Ford is knowing selling the c-max with a drive train problem and does not consider the reverse delay a safety problem. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10493822, filed 2013-01, 200 miles

    “At 35 MPH entire display and operating system catastrophic failure completely shut down all but motor to get us .75 mile back home windows locked AC shut off in 109 degree outside temp with our service dog for search and rescue in car with us no sync system or driver info display no ability to open doors or unlock doors or windows could not turn AC back on in 109 degree outside temperature we got home called dealer where we leased it from and we were told just jumpstart it that's what I did for a prius .”

    NHTSA complaint #10554417, filed 2013-12, 5,749 miles
  4. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission noise and hesitation

    • 6 complaints (5%)
    • median 100,060 mi at 7.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2015–2024

    Complaints describe a thumping, grinding or scraping noise from the transmission area that is present while the car is moving and absent in park or neutral. Some owners also report hesitation or shaking while accelerating, and several say the dealer concluded the transmission needed replacement. Others note the noise is intermittent and hard for a technician to reproduce. Reported from about 50,000 miles upward, with several cases around 100,000 miles or more.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Listen for grinding or rubbing noises at low speed and in neutral during a test drive, and ask whether any transmission service or replacement has been done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid transmission, loud noise coming from transmission area when car is in gear and moving. No sound in park and neutral. Sound is intermittent.”

    NHTSA complaint #10781602, filed 2015-10, 50,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal sound. After exceeding 20 MPH, the abnormal sound stopped. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11467937, filed 2022-06, 101,000 miles
  5. Latches, locks and linkages

    Door latches and liftgate fail to open or latch

    • 10 complaints (8%)
    • median 80,565 mi at 7.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2013–2024

    Owners report doors that will not latch shut or will not open, and a liftgate that fails to release or pops open on its own while driving. Complaints describe repeated repairs, sometimes at an independent shop, with the problem coming back. Some owners also mention the horn or other electrical items failing at the same time. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 120,000 miles.

    Recall 13V0850001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Open and close every door and the liftgate several times, confirming each latches firmly and releases with both the handle and the remote; ask whether any latch has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Rear hatchback latch fails to release. Driver can hear the latch motor activating while driving and door unexpectedly opened while driving which could result in ejecting cargo while the vehicle is in motion. After pulling over and closing the hatchback, it fails to re-open, stuck again, and the process starts all over. Dealership says motor and latch system for the hatch-back is faulty and needs replacing, and issued me a rental car for 3-5 days. They said it wasn't safe for me to drive it. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11066525, filed 2018-02, 46,000 miles

    “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 was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #11615448, filed 2024-09, 160,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that includes battery and charging-system testing, a check of the steering assist, and a test drive listening for transmission noise is worthwhile on this model year. Ask for service records showing whether the 12-volt battery software updates and any latch repairs were completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.

NHTSA recorded 120 consumer complaints for the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid. 101 of the complaints include a mileage, and 62% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 32,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 46 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (4), Exterior lighting (4), Seat belts (4), Vehicle speed control (4), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Equipment (2), Suspension (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Engine cooling (1), Hybrid propulsion system (1), Seats (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “I have a new cmax energi with navigation. The back up camera goes on when I go into reverse, but it sometimes does not shut off, so I have this distracting screen showing me what is behind me while I am driving forward. Sometimes it changes to the correct screen immediately, but other times it can take up to 2 minutes. I have reset the system, but it did not help.”

NHTSA complaint #10499972, filed 2013-02, 400 miles

Engine: “My car showed me signal of coolant overtemperature then later when I was driving it stopped on me few time saying stop safely now and then I had to take it to shop and they said it was tranmission..”

NHTSA complaint #10969447, filed 2017-03, 125,000 miles

Steering: “For several months, at startup, power steering had a delay for a few seconds, then performed normally. Yesterday the power steering went out and stayed out. About 10 seconds into the failure, received an alert tone and a service steering soon message. Without power steering this car is much harder to steer than any car with power steering failure I have owned. I was able to drive it, but gingerly and with great effort. …”

NHTSA complaint #11187009, filed 2019-03, 140,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I thought I had placed my c max in park. I turned car off with power button and went into a store to shop. The car rolled out of parking space and almost hit another vehicle. I forgot to place my c max in park but the car gave me zero warning that the car was not in park and turned off like normal. I used to drive a prius hybrid and that car was push button start as well but the prius would tell me to place the vehicle in park if I tried to turn it off while it was in gear. Ford needs to correct this. The c max should not turn off while the vehicle is in gear. …”

NHTSA complaint #10532258, filed 2013-07, 1,200 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

62% of the 101 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,749 and 68,000 miles.

30%0–1015%10–2518%25–5016%50–7511%75–1008%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (101 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 32,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’1324’15’17’19’21’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C-MAX Hybrid FWD2.0L 4-cyl · hybridCVT423740$1,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 46 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 46 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford C-MAX Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20151753,6150—39—Rising
201312032,0002—40Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling

All Ford C-MAX Hybrid model years

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid?

Owners of this model year most often report a 12-volt battery that goes flat while the car is parked, leaving it unable to start or unlock until jumped or towed, sometimes repeatedly despite battery replacements. The issues reported most often: Dead 12-volt battery / vehicle won't start; Loss of power steering assist; Engine or hybrid system shuts off while driving.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 120 consumer complaints for the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 49 complaints (41% of the total), followed by engine with 17.

Has the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid (C-MAX Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 40 mpg combined, 42 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid reported?

Among the 101 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 32,000 miles and the middle half falls between 5,749 and 68,000 miles; 62% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.