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BrakesPart report

2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid Brakes Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
6%of 120 total for the year
Median mileage
30,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid, 6% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was in an accident, driving approximately 25 MPH when I hit the brakes with approximately 20 feet of distance, the anti lock brakes failed to engage causing the car to slide, and rear end the car in front of me, upon impact the airbags did not deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #10978585, filed 2017-04, 31,500 miles

“We complained of scratching sounds in the rear brakes on 5/14/2014 and 13k miles. The dealer stated that the pads and rotors were worn to a minimum with no evidence of sticking calipers. Rotors were replaced under warranty. We complained of the same scratching sounds at 18k miles on 11/17/2014 and were told they checked ok. We complained again on 8/12/2015 of the same issue and were told that both the front and rear brake rotors were rusted and pitted and needed replacement. …”

NHTSA complaint #10762993, filed 2015-09, 12,957 miles

“From park, sudden forward acceleration and hit wall, I hit the steering column, no braking, car reversed from impact, still could not change gears, pulled emergency brake and car stopped, engine still revving up, pushed button and it stopped.”

NHTSA complaint #10629155, filed 2014-08, 30,000 miles

“Purchased used c-max 2013 on or about 15 october 2014. Visited Ford dealer 3 times. The next morning the car was found dead in our drive way. Charged the battery at 12 amps for 2-2.5 hours and read 75% charge. There were no indications of battery or charging system malfunction. Called the Ford dealer and tried to drive to dealer located 15-20 minutes away. Stopped at red light and proceeded through light when green. Got to the green light side and the battery light flashed for 2-3 seconds, blinked and the car quit. Speed under 10 MPH. Hwy speed 50 MPH limit. …”

NHTSA complaint #10651294, filed 2014-10, 21,000 miles

“Cpm takes over vehicle operation and eliminates use of accelerator. Vehicle self accelerates to maximum of 35 MPH. Electric brakes become very sensitive, becoming jerky and stop its movement very fast. The vehicle has repeatedly went into this mode at 800 miles, 1800 miles, 2200 miles, 2300 miles and approximately 2350 miles. For motor company and local Ford dealership have not been able to remedy the problem after 4 attempts to do so. Unable to get sufficient information from fmc to determine if its a fleet wide problem or a single vehicle problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10495191, filed 2013-01, 800 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2015212%
201376%

Other parts of the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid

Electrical system
49 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology