2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI has 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.4x the segment average of 19. The most common issue is electrical problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max premium. the contact stated that after repairs for nhtsa campaign number 14v237000 (air bags) were performed. the contact stated that the electrical system was damaged causing the phone system to only allow incoming calls. the vehicle was not repaired. the app. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.
65
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
3.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
19 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX PREMIUM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REPAIRS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V237000 (AIR BAGS) WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED CAUSING THE PHONE SYSTEM TO ONLY ALLOW INCOMING CALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APP
- • MY CAR FAILED TO START FOR 2 CONSECUTIVE DAYS AFTER NON-OPERATION OVERNIGHT AND WHEN I TOOK THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY NEED TO PERFORM A TSB 15-0089, SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY LESS THAN 2 MONTHS, FORD SAID I NEED TO PAY $1500 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. BASED ON RESEARCH THIS ISSUES SEEMS TO AFFECT
- • TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, SOMEWHAT NORMALLY ON LONG CAR RIDES(NORMALLY ON THE HIGHWAY) THE CAR HAS A ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING THE CAR TO USE UP ALL THE EV MILES IT HAS STORED. MEAN WHILE THE CAR STARTS TO SMELL LIKE BURNING ELECTRICAL, NO SMOKE IS SEEN BUT SMELL IS THERE. WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AFTE
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX PREMIUM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REPAIRS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V237000 (AIR BAGS) WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED CAUSING THE PHONE SYSTEM TO ONLY ALLOW INCOMING CALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APP”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI
Based on 52 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 41K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
STEERING
TRANSMISSION
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (1)
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."
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 vehicle susceptible to theft.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C07.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford C-MAX ENERGI Service Intervals
IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2013 C-MAX ENERGI, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 65 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX PREMIUM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REPAIRS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V237000 (AIR BAGS) WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED CAUSING THE PHONE SYSTEM TO ONLY ALLOW INCOMING CALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH AND LOST POWER ON A BUSY ROAD WITH SEMI COMING UP BEHIND ME. DISPLAY STATED "STOP SAFELY NOW".
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: UPON BRAKING, THE CAR HAS LURCHED FORWARD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ALMOST REAR ENDING OTHER CARS, HAPPENS IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER, ROAD SURFACES, INTERMITTENT BUT HAPPENS PROBABLY AT LEAST 3 TIMES PER WEEK. ALSO, WHEN STOPPED AND ACCELERATING, THE CAR HAS A HESITATION ISSUE LIKE NO FUEL GETS TO IT FOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford C-MAX ENERGI — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 65
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 3
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 19
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI