C-Max (1st)
Data covers 5 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.0-I4-Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl / 188 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.0-I4-PHEV
2.0L 4-cyl / 141 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Ford C-Max Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max
That's near the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). Within the normal range for the category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 49 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Sample complaint excerpts
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2015] FORD C-MAX HYBRID 2015 12V BATTERY KEEPS GOING DEAD. HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. FORD DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED VEHICLE AND FOUND NO ISSUES. WHEN BATTERY GOES DEAD, THE CAR CAN NOT BE STARTED AND HAS TO BE EITHER TOWED OR JUMP STARTED. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR IS JUST USED FOR LOCAL TRAVEL LESS THAN 3 MILES. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF THAT TYPE OF DRIVING THE BATTERY CAN NOT REC
- [2013] My Stereo/Navigation console went out, just went black and stopped working. I bought it to my local garage and they said it was a costly repair and that there is a recall/service bulletin on it and that i should take it to a Ford Dealer. I did and they acknowledged the issue but said my VIN wasn't covered, but it was a known issue with C-Max of this year. So I didnt have the car services. A few m
- [2013] Several times over the past 3 years, the 12 volt battery has been deeply drained while the car has been off/unused for ~3 days. (The problem has been described on your website: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/SB-10093862-2532.pdf.) This is a safety issue because there is a reasonable expectation of serviceability of a car, for emergencies or for returning to a safe place. Just as one depe
Electric Propulsion
- [2013] The message to service the power steering suddenly appeared and the steering wheel could not be rotated, when we were at our drive way. I felt to be very lucky for not being on the road when the loss of power steering occurred. After I turned off the engine and restarted the car one minute later, the power steering problem disappeared and I was able to drive the car again. About one week later, I
- [2013] I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND A "STOP SAFETLY NOW" WARNING POPPED UP ON MY SPEEDOMETER. I MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED THE CAR. I LOOKING ONLINE FOR A SOLUTION AND I READ THAT I CAN TURN ON AND OFF THE CAR A COUPLE TIMES AND THAT WILL FIX IT. I READ THERE WAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND THERE WAS A RECALL
- [2013] UNABLE TO DRIVE CARE DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING (HAPPENED WHEN PARKED FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES -- WENT IN BUILDING TO PICK UP SON FROM DAYCARE, CAME OUT AND NO POWER STEERING WHEN I RESTARTED CAR). THIS HAS APPARENTLY BEEN A PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR AND THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THOSE, BUT NOT FOR THE C-MAX. UNSURE IF THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, BUT IT COULD BE CATAST
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2013] I have owned this car for the last 9 years and have kept It well-maintained. For over a year, the car stalls in the midst of driving, even on a highway, leaving me the only option to find a shoulder or safe area to park. After I turn off the engine, wait for a few minutes, and turn it back on, the engine turns on just fine and I am able to drive. Lately (for about a month or so) this has been happ
- [2013] RADIO INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT TURN ON. THEN CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AT HOME AND COULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS ETC. HAD TO CALL AAA TO HAVE TOWED TO DEALER. RECEIPT STATES 'IDS FAULT CODE B1D19:49 ACM CD INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE STAYS ON RANDOMLY CAUSING VOLTAGE DRAIN. REPLACE ACM AND PROGRAM, PERFORM COORDINATED HYBRID BATTERY MODULE PROGRAMMING OF PCM, ABS, SOBDM-C, AND DC/DC MODULE, SOFTWARE
- [2016] The contact owns a 2016 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated that while charging the hybrid battery, the battery stopped charging after 15-16 minutes. The contact stated that the battery could only be charged for 15-16 minutes at a time. The contact stated that there was a red triangle warning light illuminated on the charger but there was no warning light illuminated on the vehicle. Additionally
High-Voltage Battery
- [2013] ELECTRIC STEERING RACK FAILED CAUSING NO POWER STEERING. SYMPTOMS STARTED WITH INTERMITTENT LOCKING. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE FAULTY HIGH ENERGY BATTERY PACK STILL UNDER WARRANTY. REPROGRAMMING DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. IT APPEARS FORD HAD A RECALL FOR HIGHER PRODUCTION MODELS USING THE SAME RACK BUT NOT FOR C-MAX WHICH HAD LOW PRODUCTION. MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO LOSE
- [2013] RADIO INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT TURN ON. THEN CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AT HOME AND COULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS ETC. HAD TO CALL AAA TO HAVE TOWED TO DEALER. RECEIPT STATES 'IDS FAULT CODE B1D19:49 ACM CD INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE STAYS ON RANDOMLY CAUSING VOLTAGE DRAIN. REPLACE ACM AND PROGRAM, PERFORM COORDINATED HYBRID BATTERY MODULE PROGRAMMING OF PCM, ABS, SOBDM-C, AND DC/DC MODULE, SOFTWARE
- [2013] THE BATTERY UNLOADS. UNLESS BATTERY REPLACEMENT. I FEAR ABOUT SHORTAGE WHICH MAY LEAD TO FIRE.
Thermal Events
- [2013] The car was parked and turned off, I came out to the car and found the electrical charging cord had caught on fire at the base of the handle that inserts into the car. The area melted/disintegrated. It was covered in soot. The charger had been plugged into the car for about 1 hour. Fortunately my car or home did not catch on fire. This charger was a replacement from the recall in 2018.
- [2013] OEM ELECTRIC CHARGER (A SEPARATE MECHANISM NOT A PART OF THE VEHICLE) CAUGHT FIRE UPON PLUGGING IT INTO A SOCKET (SAME CHARGER, SAME SOCKET HAS BEEN USED FOR OVER 3 YEARS)
- [2016] I was driving slowly leaving a supermarket parking lot. There was no one else around. There was a sudden loud bang, the car lurched upward and to the right, coming to rest over a curb hanging down a ditch. The front end started to smoke and then caught fire. The car was a total loss. There had been no impact. I was able to escape down the ditch with the help of police and the fire department put
Charging System
- [2013] 2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILED CHARGING CABLE. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR CABLE PURCHASED PRIOR TO RECALL. *LD *JS
- [2013] HELLO MY 12V BATTERY IS DISCHARGING SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT REASON. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE FAULT RETURNS. ACCORDING TO TSB 15-0089, WHEN REPLACING THE BATTERY IN THE 2013 CAR, THE ELECTRONIC MODULE SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE DEALER NEVER PERFORMED THIS STEP, THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEALER. I'M AFRAID THAT EVENTUALLY MY CAR WILL BURN. THIS FAULTY ELEC
- [2013] WE HAVE USED THE SUPPLIED UTILITY 120V CHARGING CABLE SINCE WE ACQUIRED THE CAR TO CHARGE IT AT HOME. RECENTLY, I NOTICED THAT THE UTILITY CABLE PLUG WAS MELTED AND THE WEATHERPROOF SOCKET FIXTURE PLASTIC HOUSING WAS BURNT I CHANGED THE UNIT TO A DIFFERENT OUTDOOR OUTLET. IT BURNED THAT OUTLET SO BADLY THAT IT'S GFCI WAS TRIPPED AND COULD NOT BE RESET. FEARING A POSSIBLE HOUSE FIRE, I STOPPED USI
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford C-Max, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2013-2018 Ford C-Max
On a used 2013-2018 Ford C-Max, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (192), the transmission and drivetrain (104) and the steering (96). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 192 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 104 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 96 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max about the steering.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 66 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max about the body and structure.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Measure the 12-volt battery before the car is switched on.Costly repair. NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max about the 12-volt battery and its charging.
Recalls (14)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
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.
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 the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
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 wiring can cause the cord to overheat and melt.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Focus and C-Max vehicles. The floor pan may have improperly welded left-hand apron joints.
Show 9 older recalls
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, it is not.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 1, 2014, to June 12, 2015, Ford Focus vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, to June 12, 2015, and Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured April 22, 2014, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine may continue to run after the key or the START/STOP engine button is turned to off. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
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 the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Focus and C-Max vehicles manufactured August 8, 2014, to August 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.
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.
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 with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
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."
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."
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.
Alternatives in Compact Hatchback
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2013-2018 Ford C-Max complaints?
Owners have filed 624 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the transmission and the steering.
Is the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 624 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max have?
NHTSA has 624 owner complaints on file for the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max?
NHTSA lists 14 recalls covering some 2013-2018 Ford C-Max vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Ford C-Max?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the transmission and the steering, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the C-Max have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2013-2018 Ford C-Max. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 624 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.