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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2013 Ford C-MAX Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
37about this part
Share
20%of 187 total for the year
Median mileage
87,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Ford C-MAX, 20% of the 187 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“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

“There was a grinding sound for weeks and then one night after I stopped to go to the bathroom and I was on my way home on wayne, rd. And the car was jerking really bad and would not change gears and then all of sudden the car wouldn't drive and the wrench light went on.”

NHTSA complaint #11278035, filed 2019-11, 100,397 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

“Grinding noise coming from the transmission, took car to two dealerships, both said the transmission was failing - march of 2018. Car has 135,000 miles on it. Ford had issued TSB 15-0174, which dealt with transmissions failing. Affected cars are C-Max hybrids built between aug 8, 2012 and jun 17, 2014. Letters were to be sent out the week of nov 16, 2015. We purchased the car mid april of 2015 and are complaining because Ford did not send us a letter although they knew we had bought this car?”

NHTSA complaint #11080308, filed 2018-03, 135,000 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

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018110%
2017320%
201628%
2015916%
20141823%
20133720%

Other parts of the 2013 Ford C-MAX

Electrical system
51 complaintsSteering
39 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 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