2013 Ford C-max Hybrid Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid.

< older2015
Complaints
179
Crashes
12
Fires
0
Injuries
9
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#145 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:26,701 mi
#217 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:25,390 mi
#314 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:52,135 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid.

Electrical Faults
45
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
26,701
Engine Problems
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
25,390
Transmission / Drivetrain
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,135
Steering Defects
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
45,986
Latches / Locks
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,823
Body Structure
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,891
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
28,680
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
55,600
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,160
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Backup Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hybrid Propulsion System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~61,696 vehicles.

13V475000Equipment:electrical:anti-theft Devices · Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module
~23,000 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

13V303000Structure
~33,021 affected

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2013 C-Max hybrid vehicles, without panoramic roofs, that were manufactured January 19, 2012, through June 25, 2013. During vehicle testing, the vehicle exceeded a head injury criteria requirement set by the standard. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

13V085000Latches / Locks
~5,675 affected

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock.

Other Ford C-max Hybrid Years

2013 Ford C-max Hybrid — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid has 179 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 45 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (45 complaints, avg 26,701 mi); Engine Problems (17 complaints, avg 25,390 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (14 complaints, avg 52,135 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 36,972 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid include 12 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 61,696 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (electrical faults) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford C-max Hybrid reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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