2013 Ford C-MAX Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 187 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 2013 Ford C-MAX, 3% of the 187 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“Electric charger melted and started a small fire at the house outlet. It must have tripped the circuit breaker luckily saving our home. Ford refused to accept responsibility when it happened telling me it was my wiring. Now there is a recall?”
NHTSA complaint #11161706, filed 2018-12, 34,000 miles“My 2013 Ford C-Max energi produces a stop safely now warning message and quickly loses all power. It has happened 4 times in the last 3 days. When it happens, you have to pull to the side of the road, turn off the engine, open and close the door and wait a few more minutes before it can be started again. A warning light is left on for ~25 miles. It always happens when driving at freeway speeds on all electric. I have never seen this failure once the main battery is discharged and the engine is running on gas.”
NHTSA complaint #10993064, filed 2017-06, 6,000 miles“Gas line leak under car leading from tank to engine. Requires removal of exhaust system and tank to replace new line. Could have caused fire w/ fuel leaking on to exhaust system (have had two previous fires in different vehicles caused by fuel leaking onto hot exhaust system). No apparent physical cause for leak - does not seem to be component one would expect to leak or need repair regardless of age or mileage. Potential to cause serious personal and physical damage if I had not smelled and noticed leak. …”
NHTSA complaint #11413334, filed 2021-04, 83,000 miles“The loss of power incident occurred on may 27, 2014, while driving 70 MPH in the fast lane of the 405 freeway at the intersection of the 405 and 5 freeways in los angeles, ca. The Ford c max 2013 suddenly dropped from 70 MPH to less than 5 MPH. The car warning message on the dash read: stop safely . Due to the courtesy of the many drivers on the freeway at 7 in the morning, the car crossed 4 to 5 lanes of fast moving traffic, in a limited operating mode at approximately 5 miles an hour, ending at the on-ramp for cars entering the freeway. The car was stopped but not turned off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10597744, filed 2014-06, 2,645 miles“While driving, the Cmax displayed a red hazard, STOP SAFELY NOW, and lost all propulsion. The car was unable to be moved and is stranded in the driving lane.”
NHTSA complaint #11445246, filed 2021-12Related service bulletins
- 10153975Jan 24, 2019Some 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2013-2019 Fusion Energi, and 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P04B5. This may be due…
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2013 Ford C-MAX
51 complaintsSteering
39 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 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 30, 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