2013 Ford C-MAX Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 27%of 187 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Ford C-MAX, 27% of the 187 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Battery fails to charge on early model 2013 C-Max ses. Ford recognizes problem and has applied 3 firmware updates which do not work. Blames problem on low-mileage drivers. Yet problem has occurred after 2 previous days of long distance driving and in both hot and cold weather. No longer own the car because it could have left my wife or me stranded.”
NHTSA complaint #10680352, filed 2015-02, 5,000 miles“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 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“We purchased this car used in september, 2016 and it had 33,000 miles on it. One week after we bought it we returned to the car from dinner and found it wouldn't start. Had it jumped and continued on our way. One week ago we went to start the car after it sat in the driveway overnight and the same thing: battery was dead. We had it jumped. This morning, after sitting in the driveway overnight, it wouldn't start again, battery dead. This is the third time in just over a month our battery has gone dead. …”
NHTSA complaint #10916481, filed 2016-10, 38,000 miles“The radio will not let me change station, volume, sync my phone for handsfree. When I open the door the radio normal shuts off. However it is just staying on”
NHTSA complaint #11103015, filed 2018-06, 89,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V592000Sep 10, 2018Ford 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…Covers: Ford C-MAX 2013–2015, Focus Electric 2012–2015, Fusion Hybrid 2013–2015
- 13V475000Oct 17, 2013Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push…Covers: Ford C-MAX 2013, Focus Electric 2012–2013, C-MAX Energi 2013
Related service bulletins
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 10214758Jun 21, 2022Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX…
- 10212957May 24, 2022Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay may experience 12 volt battery drain symptoms when the customer uses non-Ford/Lincoln…
- 10176123May 29, 2020Some 2012-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a TCU may exhibit an inoperative remote start with a 'Vehicle Failed To Start' message when using MyFord Mobile/Ford…
- 10164497Aug 7, 2019For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301)…
- 10159489Apr 26, 2019Some 2013-2019 vehicles equipped with a EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC)…
- 10156874Feb 6, 2019Some 2013-2019 Fusion/MKZ and 2013-2018 C-Max vehicles with 2.0L HEV/PHEV engine may exhibit multiple drivability or electrical concerns with one or more diagnostic trouble…
- 10155562Feb 6, 2019Some 2013-2019 Fusion/MKZ and 2013-2018 C-Max vehicles with 2.0L HEV/PHEV engine may exhibit multiple drivability or electrical concerns with one or more diagnostic trouble…
- 10152468Nov 6, 20182013 2018 C-Max, Fusion, and MKZ Hybrid vehicles using SOBDM-C module connectors do not require electrical/dielectric grease. If used it may induce module communication…
- 10149751Sep 18, 2018Some 2013-2017 Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with DTC P0C27 and/or P0C28. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2013 Ford C-MAX
39 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Ford C-MAX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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