2013 Ford C-Max Energi problems & reliability
50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 19 | 38% |
| Steering | 9 | 18% |
| Power Train | 8 | 16% |
| Unknown OR Other | 5 | 10% |
| Structure | 4 | 8% |
| Engine | 3 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 6% |
| Wheels | 3 | 6% |
| Suspension | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 47,900 miles (middle 50% between 26,000 and 73,000 miles), based on 37 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention camera displayed the image upside down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately…”
Back Over Prevention · filed Jul 5, 2023
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was a grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle; followed by the vehicle shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the front axle and the…”
Power Train · filed Mar 31, 2023
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made…”
Power Train · filed Mar 14, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
- Door Latch Failures
Recall Query RQ19005 · opened Dec 19, 2019 · closed Feb 7, 2022 · led to recall 20V331000
- Door Latch Failure
Preliminary Evaluation PE16001 · opened Jan 16, 2016 · closed Oct 29, 2016 · led to recall 16V643000
Technical service bulletins
44 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi. The 10 most recent:
Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Escape/Fusion/MKZ, 2015-2018 Focus,2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2020 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2020 F-Super Duty, 2018-2020 EcoSport/Expedition, 2019-2020…
TSB 20-2171 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 18, 2020
Some 2013 2017 C-MAX Energi, 2017 2018 C-MAX Hybrid, 2013 2020 Fusion Energi and 2017-2020 Fusion/MKZ Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with any of the following diagnostic…
SSM 48301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2019
Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning…
SSM 48130 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 9, 2019
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2019 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to charge while connected to the second…
TSB 18-2373 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 12, 2018
Some 2012-2018 Focus Electric, 2013-2017 C-Max Energi, and 2013-2018 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may exhibit the high voltage (HV) battery failing to charge while connected to the second…
tsb18-2216 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 20, 2018
Some 2013-2017 C-Max PHEV may exhibit diagnostic code P2183 and may have the coolant hoses that attach to the lower bulkhead connections incorrectly installed. The two hoses share the same female connectors and mate to…
SSM 47347 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 11, 2018
Some 2013-2017 Fusion Hybrid Energi built on or before 24-Mar-2017, 2012-2016 Focus Electric and 2013-2016 C-MAX Energi and equipped with a TCU may exhibit inoperative remote features via MyFord Mobile app, discharged…
SSM 46534 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 14, 2017
Some 2012-2017 focus electric/2013-2017 cmax energi/fusion energi/2015-2017 mkc/mkz/2016-2017 mkx and 2017 continental vehicles operating with a 3g tcu on or before 16-jan-2017 may not respond to customers remote…
SSM 46371 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 9, 2017
Online automotive service information system for March 2016
Service · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2016
Ford: a 12 volt battery will discharge on certain vehicles. Model 2013-14 c-max energi. *pe
TSB-15-0089 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2015
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2013 Ford C-Max Energi has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2013 Ford C-Max Energi?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 47,900 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.