2013 Ford C-MAX Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 21%of 187 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Ford C-MAX, 21% of the 187 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Power steering computer module went out while backing out of parking spot. Luckily no cars were parked next to me and nobody was walking in the lot as I lost control of the steering. This car has 40,000 miles on it. This also happened after driving less than 100 miles after having the transmission and front axle replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11161703, filed 2018-12, 40,600 miles“My car would not turn. A notification to check power steering appeared. I was parked and could not get out of the space because the wheels would not turn. There are multiple reports on line about the same issue with cmax cars. The repair will cost me $ 2,600 to fix”
NHTSA complaint #11291684, filed 2019-12, 95,500 miles“I was pulling out of my drive way and turned my steering wheel when my car's power steering stopped working instantly and it became impossible to steer, there was also a message that displayed saying service power steering . When I stopped an restarted the car, the message and steering were fine, however this repeated a few days later. When I took it to Ford to be serviced, they said it was 'probably a battery issue , which was replaced, however the next day, the same issues occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11288877, filed 2019-12, 70,000 miles“The power steering was occasionally failing but after reading the manual I saw that Ford suggest de powering the car and restarting it. After wrenching my back from driving with the power steering not working I started doing that. Then the power steering shut down completely. When I went in they wanted to charge me over $2000 to replace the steering rack. After doing some research I found that Ford had recalled similar models of that year range for a similar issue but hadn't recalled the cmax. …”
NHTSA complaint #11192649, filed 2019-03, 92,957 miles“Received warning power steering requires service while driving. Shortly after, we pulled over and turned off the engine for several minutes. Upon restarting the car the power steering was gone--almost impossible to turn the steering wheel and the message said power steering fault . Our local dealer said this was not covered by warranty or recall. Research shows multiple recalls on 2013 Ford vehicles for this problem, but not for the cmax energi (perhaps because it's not a very popular car and there weren't enough sold to trigger the recall threshold).”
NHTSA complaint #11278541, filed 2019-11, 59,939 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10095995Nov 17, 2016Some 2010-2016 epas equipped vehicles may exhibit steering related noises. The workshop manual (wsm) diagnostic procedures have been updated in section 211-02. When diagnosing…
- 10204994Mar 1, 2016Online automotive service information system for March 2016
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2013 Ford C-MAX
51 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