2013 FORD C-MAX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
222
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
11
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2013 FORD C-MAX
The 2013 FORD C-MAX has received a total of 222 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 14 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. 11 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (48 complaints), Steering (39 complaints), and Power Train (36 complaints).
Recalls for the 2013 FORD C-MAX
NHTSA has recorded 14 recalls for the 2013 FORD C-MAX, potentially affecting up to 20,009,953 vehicles.
Recall 22V413000 — POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD
| 2,925,968 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected...
View full details →Recall 22V413000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
| 2,925,968 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected...
View full details →Recall 20V331000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 2,147,323 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making...
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their...
View full details →Recall 20V331000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 2,147,323 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making...
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their...
View full details →Recall 20V331000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 2,147,323 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making...
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their...
View full details →Recall 20V331000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 2,147,323 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and repaired under recalls 15V-246, 16V-643 or 17V-210, however the repair may not have been completed properly. A component within the door latches may break making...
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their...
View full details →Recall 18V592000 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
| 49,197 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford 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 Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF were manufactured without thermistors, and during vehicle charging, increased resistance in the house's outlet or...
Consequence: An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for...
View full details →Recall 16V643000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 2,046,297 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact,...
Consequence: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
View full details →Recall 14V597000 — SEAT BELTS
| 746,842 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of...
Consequence: The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
View full details →Recall 14V597000 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
| 746,842 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of...
Consequence: The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
View full details →Recall 14V597000 — AIR BAGS
| 746,842 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of...
Consequence: The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
View full details →Recall 14V237000 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
| 594,785 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.
Consequence: If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.
View full details →Recall 14V237000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
| 594,785 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.
Consequence: If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.
View full details →Recall 14V164000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
| 43,135 vehicles affected
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced...
Consequence: The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2013 FORD C-MAX
222 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 FORD C-MAX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 48 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 39 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Power Train | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 24 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System12v24v48v Battery | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Warnings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentmechanicalcarrierrack | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodytrunk Lid | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The backup camera always quits working while in the middle of reversing. It will work for a second, but then the display will flip upside down or go completely black and display a message saying "Camera unavailable. Please contact your dealership." It started doing this about a year ago, but was intermittent. It started happening more often over time, and now it always happens. It makes reversing dangerous, as the camera will quit working while the vehicle is still moving. This is especially dangerous in parking lots where there are pedestrians around. It is available for inspection upon request. It has not been inspected by anyone yet.
Engine light came on. Mechanic said 2 codes showed up. One for low coolant, another for engine misfiring. The misfiring code had come on several times in past and spark plugs were replaced. Upon inspection was told the engine block is cracked due to faulty design. I will need a new engine!
The rearview camera is usually upside down. Occasionally, a blank, black screen is displayed. Infrequently, it appears normal. A few times, a message is displayed saying it needs to be replaced. In view of the fact many models have a recall notice for this very problem, I elected to report it.
Steering stopped working but after restarted it began to work again. It was fine for a few days and then DTC came up indicating "Service Power Steering" and the power steering has quit working.
While driving car, power steering will fail and deactivate leaving the steering extremely heavy and manual. Can happen at any speed, and has happened on the interstate at highway speeds. Information cluster states, "power steering fault - service power steering immediately" When this happens it is highly unsafe and happens instantly without warning. Makes getting the car off the road and stopped safely very difficult and dangerous. Stopping the car, turning it off fully and restarting seems to clear the fault and makes the car power steering operate as normal again. But this has happened many times since owning the car and I can find no reason when or why it gets triggered. Online searches find many other owners of this car describing the exact same issue and they share the same concerns about it being unsafe.
Safety Rating for the 2013 FORD C-MAX
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2013 FORD C-MAX in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2013 FORD C-MAX
Ford Motor Company has issued 11 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2013 FORD C-MAX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TSB 22-2066 — POWER TRAIN
Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter lever cable resulting in a mismatch of cluster and selected gear position. To correct the...
SSM 46547 — EQUIPMENT
Some 2012-13 Focus and 2013 Escape/C-MAX vehicles may have the wrong part in the box for the BCM (base 14A068). The suspect service part number is GV6Z-14A068-G. The wrong part will have an engineering number of GV6T-14A073-GD and it will not work. The correct part will have engineering part number...
TSB 17-0039 — POWER TRAIN
Some 2013-2016 Fusion, MKZ and 2013-2016 C-Max vehicles equipped with an HF35 transmission and built on or before 15-Aug-2015 may exhibit a thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission. The noise may be present in all gear ranges including neutral when the vehicle is moving, but will not be...
TSB 17-0031 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
SOME 2013 C-MAX VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT THE INABILITY TO CONFIGURE THE ABS MODULE DURING THE PMI PROCESS FOLLOWING AN ABS MODULE OR HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) REPLACEMENT. THIS CONCERN MAY BE DUE TO A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CALIBRATION WHICH IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE NEW ABS MODULE. REPROGRAM PCM...
15N04-S2 — EQUIPMENT
CERTAIN 2015 MODEL YEAR MKC AND MKZ VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE RESERVE EQUIPMENT GROUP, AND CERTAIN 2012-2016 FOCUS ELECTRIC, C-MAX ENERGI, AND FUSION ENERGI VEHICLES - EMBEDDED MODEM REPLACEMENT.
SSM 46197 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
SOME 2013-2017 FOCUS/C-MAX VEHICLES EXHIBIT A FRAYED/CUT SHORT APPEARANCE AT THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HEADLINER NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE HEADLINER AND NO REPAIRS SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED. ON 5 DOOR FOCUS(HATCHBACK) THE EXPOSED EDGE AT THE REAR LIFT GATE AREA MAY BE DUE THE...
TSB15-0129 — SEATS
FORD: 2013-2015 C-MAX AND 2013-2016 ESCAPE EQUIPPED WITH LEATHER SEATING MAY EXPERIENCE CRACKS IN DRIVER FRONT OR PASSENGER SIDE FACING PANEL OR SEAT CUSHION COVER OUTBOARD BOLSTER *CN
ASI-44699 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
FORD: ONCE VEHICLE HAS SET FOR A WHILE, BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) GOES TO DEEP SLEEP MODE, DIMMER SETTING WILL REVERT BACK TO BRIGHT AND BCM WOULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAM BCM TO LATEST CALIBRATION. MODEL 2014 ESCAPE, FOCUS, 2013-14 C-MAX. *PE
ASI-44565 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
FORD: WHEN CHANGING STATIONS ON RADIO, THE DISPLAY SCREEN, INTERMITTENTLY, FAILS TO REFLECT STATION CHANGE AND EVENTUALLY DISPLAY CORRECT FREQUENCY OR CHANNEL FEW MINUTES LATER. MODEL 2013-2014 C-MAX. *PE
ASI-44389 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
FORD: DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) 01594 IS SET IN BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND NO OTHER CODES, AFTER REMOTE STARTING AND WITH A START STALL SYMPTOM, WITHIN 20 SECONDS. MODEL 2012-2014 FOCUS, 2013-2014 ESCAPE, C-MAX. *PE
Showing 10 of 11 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2013 FORD C-MAX
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD C-MAX
- 2013 FORD C-MAX (current)
- 2014 FORD C-MAX — 101 complaints
- 2015 FORD C-MAX — 59 complaints
- 2016 FORD C-MAX — 40 complaints
- 2017 FORD C-MAX — 26 complaints
- 2018 FORD C-MAX — 12 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints