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2013 Ford C-MAX EnergiProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 50 owner complaints about the 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 13V-475 the manufacturer reports only 93% of affected cars repaired.

42
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.4× the C-MAX Energi median · #1 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 93%Owner complaints507 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage48kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 5, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi has problems

50 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system191
Steering90
Power train80
Structure43
Wheels31
Engine30
Fuel/propulsion system31
Vehicle speed control20
Suspension21
7 other systems71

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2013 Ford C-MAX Energi recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

93%repaired · 2015 Q1

Anti-theft: control module

Recall 13V-475 · Oct 17, 2013 · 23,000 vehicles · 21,386 repaired

Risk. Without an audible door chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and exit the vehicle without being reminded that the vehicle is still operational, leaving the…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

2013 vs. every other C-MAX Energi year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C-MAX Energi median. How we score

'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Pedestrian alert soundsDP22005 · closed Aug 7, 2023
    Led to recall 22V-063
  2. Door Latch FailurePE16001 · closed Oct 29, 2016
    Led to recall 16V-643
  3. Door Latch FailuresRQ19005 · closed Feb 7, 2022
    Led to recall 20V-177
In owners' words

What C-MAX Energi owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, WATER CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER THE BATTERY WAS SATURATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROSWELL FORD (821 N MAIN ST, ROSWELL, NM 88201: [PHONE])) WHERE IT WAS…
Complaint 11306371 · Jan 31, 2020 · 57,000 miles
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT. CAR WAS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. POOR DESIGN OF COLUMN THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICLES CAUSED SHORTS THROUGHOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS RESULTED IN THREE PAGES WORTH OF SYSTEM ERRORS WHEN CHECKED. $2,000 TO…
Complaint 11234265 · Jul 23, 2019 · 37,500 miles
I CHARGER WAS RECALLED IN AUGUST 2018. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOY AVAILABLE. I CANNOT CHARGE MY CAR WITHOUT RISKING A FIRE.
Complaint 11232820 · Jul 17, 2019

Own a 2013 C-MAX Energi?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.