2013 Ford C-MAX Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report two dominant themes: sudden loss of power steering assist, and a 12-volt battery that goes flat without warning, often traced to a radio/audio module that stays on. A smaller but consistent group describes transmission noise (whining, grinding, thumping) that led to transmission replacement, usually at higher mileage. Many complaints also mention a "stop safely now" message with loss of power, typically resolved by restarting the car.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist quits, steering goes heavy

   • 33 complaints (18%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners describe a "service power steering" message and a steering wheel that suddenly becomes very hard to turn, sometimes at start-up and sometimes while driving. Several say restarting the car temporarily restores assist before it fails again, and in some cases the failure became permanent. Complaints describe dealers replacing the steering rack or power steering assembly, with quotes commonly in the $2,000-$2,300 range according to owners. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 105,000 miles, with several appearing at start-up after a short stop.

   What to check: On a test drive, start the car several times and confirm the power steering warning does not appear and the wheel turns easily at low speed. Ask whether the steering rack or assist module has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While vehicle moving at ~15miles per hour in a left turn at a t intersection power steering turned violently the steering wheel to the right, without a possibility for me to keep it in my both hands. Rotation rate of the steering wheel was very rapid and required immediate and heavy braking so as not to hit parked vehicle on the outside of the turn. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11306571, filed 2020-02, 77,300 miles

   “My vehicle has approximately 105,000 miles on it. I got in my vehicle to leave and a red message appeared saying, service power steering system . The steering wheel became very hard to turn left or right. In fact, I wasn't able to turn it at all. I shut off the car and then restarted it. It appeared to be working again and I drove it for an hour without any issue. When I returned home I looked on a few forums and this is a very common problem in the cmax and other Ford epas systems. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11324890, filed 2020-05, 105,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   12-volt battery drains overnight, car won't start

   • 33 complaints (18%)
   • median 45,500 mi at 4.7 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,100 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe the car being completely dead in the morning with no obvious cause, requiring a jump start, and the problem returning every few weeks or months. Several owners link it to a radio or audio module that stays powered on after the car is shut off, sometimes with the radio refusing to change stations or volume; one complaint notes a dealer code pointing to an internal audio module fault. Others mention the clock resetting, door locks cycling, or modules needing replacement, and a few say a Ford charge cord recall was never completed. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles up through 150,000, often after the car sits overnight.

   Recall 18V5920003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the battery has been replaced and whether the audio control module or related software updates were done. Check that the radio shuts off when the car is off and doors are opened.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am experiencing chronic issues with the 12v low voltage battery draining and leaving the car dead. The car pulls load from the battery when the vehicle is off and all electronics are supposedly off. This appears to be an extremely common issue among owners of 2013-2014 Ford C-Max owners. Ford has been unable to assist as they say my vehicle (based on VIN) was not an effected model on their csp-15b04 program.”

   NHTSA complaint #11152213, filed 2018-11, 45,000 miles

   “I bought this 2013 Ford C-Max energi used in 2017, right off the bat after checking out vehicle, the toyota dealership had to jumpstart the car. Now, the current issue is that this vehicle has to be jump-started every time I try to start the car. This has been occuring since november 2020. These issues had occured sporadically, even after replacing the battery in 2018 with other brand battery, though not as frequently, and every day as it does now. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11387894, filed 2021-01, 85,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   "Stop safely now" message and loss of power while driving

   • 40 complaints (21%)
   • median 76,600 mi at 6.5 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,433 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe a sudden loss of propulsion with a "stop safely now" or wrench/triangle warning, sometimes at highway speed, and the car restarting normally afterward. Owners report dealers pointing to the engine control module, PCM overheating, a wiring issue at the battery, or an unknown module, and in some cases the part was on backorder with no repair date. A few describe the gas engine failing to start while the electric motor kept the car rolling, or stalling on hills. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 125,000, with no clear single pattern in the sample.

   Recall 14V2370003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any control module or wiring repairs have been done and whether stored codes were checked recently. Note that a vehicle history report will not show this, so ask for service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I drive with my cmax energi approximately 10 miles with in winter with heat set to 68f. Parked at destination and restarted approximately 2 hours after. While in transit to destination an orange wrench displayed on vehicle. No issue occurred. Upon restarting a red triangle along with wrench displayed upon attempting to start. The vehicle did not start. I had it towed to dealership.”

   NHTSA complaint #10937174, filed 2016-12, 22,500 miles

   “While driving on the highway, a warning light came on instructing me to pull over to the side of the road and stop. When I did pulled over, I set the gearshift in park mode, and turned off the car. I restarted the car and didn't have any more problems that day. Subsequently, I noticed that while driving down the road the engine ( both electric and gasoline) shut off suddenly and I lost all power momentarily, then turned on as if nothing was wrong. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10704268, filed 2015-04, 60,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission noise and failure (whine, grind, thump)

   • 23 complaints (12%)
   • median 95,706 mi at 6.2 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2023

   Owners describe a whining, grinding, thumping or rubbing noise that rises with speed, sometimes with vibration or poor acceleration, and dealers or independent shops diagnosing a failed transmission and quoting replacement. Some complaints mention metal debris in the transmission fluid, transmission fluid leaks, and parts being unavailable for weeks. Several owners report the repair cost exceeds the value of the car. Mostly reported from about 70,000 to 145,000 miles, with a few described at lower mileage.

   Recall 22V4130005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for whine, grind or thump in all gear ranges including neutral while moving. Ask for transmission service records and have a pre-purchase inspection that includes a fluid check for metal debris.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission failure and no parts available. I heard what I thought was another wheel bearing noise which happened a month ago and was repaired. This time it turned out to be transmission is bad. Still owe 4100.00 to Ford on 6 year loan. Car purchases 3/2014 new. They can't fix it due to no parts available as noted on this repair bill. (quoted 8100.00 if they could get the parts)”

   NHTSA complaint #11203182, filed 2019-04, 109,000 miles

   “Transmission failed at 99k. Ford sent a letter a few months before I purchased car from owner. I was never notified of problem fix is $8100.00 car isn't worth that. Car was maintained perfectly by both owners.”

   NHTSA complaint #11165109, filed 2019-01, 99 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Door latches and liftgate not latching or opening on their

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 46,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2022

   Complaints describe a door that will not latch closed, a liftgate that opened unexpectedly while driving, and a rear seat latch that would no longer fold. Some owners say the door latch recall work was reportedly performed but the latch still failed, and others describe the liftgate issue as not covered under the recall or extended warranty. Reported from about 1,000 to 118,000 miles, with several around 40,000-50,000.

   Recall 16V643000Recall 20V331000

   What to check: Open and close every door and the liftgate several times and confirm each latches securely. Ask whether the door latch recalls were completed and whether the liftgate has needed repair.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The liftgate and latch should have been on the recall list and/or listed on the extended warranty but is not currently on the lists. Ford corporate refused to repair the vehicle at their expense and still has not reimbursed me for the expense. The liftgate opened unexpectedly and without warning on a few occasions: 1. The liftgate opened while I was driving on the freeway at 45 miles per hour. 2. The liftgate opened while I was driving on the street at 25 miles per hour. 3. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11311854, filed 2020-02, 43,990 miles

   “Rear folding seat latch disengaged. No longer able to fold 60% of rear seat. Now faced with charges upwards of 600$ because entire seat needs replacement. Car was stationary when opened and on level surface. Was lightly used, maybe 15 times in entire life. Also, apim module draining battery on several occasions. Field service announcement made, but car is now out of applicable time.”

   NHTSA complaint #11277930, filed 2019-11, 46,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks power steering operation, battery drain, transmission noise and door latches is worthwhile on this model year. Ask for service records and confirm which open recalls have been 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.