Is the 2013 Ford C-MAX reliable?

The 2013 Ford C-MAX has 231 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Ford C-MAX?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (52 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (39 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (37 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Ford C-MAX?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2013 Ford C-MAX?

The 2013 Ford C-MAX has an EPA rating of 38 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2022. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Ford C-MAX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Ford C-MAX is approximately $1,817/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2013 Ford C-MAX qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2013 Ford C-MAX may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2013 Ford C-MAX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Ford C-MAX has 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.9x the segment average of 60. The most common issue is electrical problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: car will not start, nothing left on, car jumped with jumper, took place again yesterday 5/27/2014. unable to jump start this time, ford road side assistance applied a jumper able to get electrical system up, but car will not run. ford dealer received car, stated that their road side assistance did n. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 6 crash reports 2 injuries

231

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

52 complaints

23%

• CAR WILL NOT START, NOTHING LEFT ON, CAR JUMPED WITH JUMPER, TOOK PLACE AGAIN YESTERDAY 5/27/2014. UNABLE TO JUMP START THIS TIME, FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE APPLIED A JUMPER ABLE TO GET ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UP, BUT CAR WILL NOT RUN. FORD DEALER RECEIVED CAR, STATED THAT THEIR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE DID N
• VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE OVER NIGHT. DEAD BATTERY. TOWED TO DEALER. COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. JUNE 1 VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE OVER NIGHT, DEAD BATTERY IN THE MORNING. *TR
• UPON RETURNING TO CAR AND ATTEMPTING TO 'START' THE ENGINE, COMPLETE CATASTROPHIC ELECTRICAL FAILURE. EVERY DASHBOARD COMPONENT DEAD. CALLED FORD ROADSIDE SERVICE (A DIFFERENT NIGHTMARE), CAR EVENTUALLY TOWED TO DEALER AND BCM REPLACED, BCM AND PCM BOTH RESET. THEN ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN 9/2/2014 A

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

“CAR WILL NOT START, NOTHING LEFT ON, CAR JUMPED WITH JUMPER, TOOK PLACE AGAIN YESTERDAY 5/27/2014. UNABLE TO JUMP START THIS TIME, FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE APPLIED A JUMPER ABLE TO GET ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UP, BUT CAR WILL NOT RUN. FORD DEALER RECEIVED CAR, STATED THAT THEIR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE DID N”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Ford C-MAX

Based on 144 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 69K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 52K mi · 37 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Earlier than typicalmedian 71K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 34K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 53K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 67K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (7)

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL10/09/2018

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.

Risk: An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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 this recall is 18S24.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2013 Ford C-MAX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$2,004

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

kWh/mi

0.89

Based 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

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,817

Full coverage / month

$151

Liability only / year

$679

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1817

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford C-MAX Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2013 C-MAX, 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

Updated 2026-07

Federal 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)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 231 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: CAR WILL NOT START, NOTHING LEFT ON, CAR JUMPED WITH JUMPER, TOOK PLACE AGAIN YESTERDAY 5/27/2014. UNABLE TO JUMP START THIS TIME, FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE APPLIED A JUMPER ABLE TO GET ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UP, BUT CAR WILL NOT RUN. FORD DEALER RECEIVED CAR, STATED THAT THEIR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE DID N
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. A LIGHT WARNING OF POWER STEERING PROBLEM CAME ON. EXITED AND WENT TO A TRUCK STOP. RESTARTED CAR BUT THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. THERE WAS NO APPARENT CAUSE. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: CAR WILL NOT START, NOTHING LEFT ON, CAR JUMPED WITH JUMPER, TOOK PLACE AGAIN YESTERDAY 5/27/2014. UNABLE TO JUMP START THIS TIME, FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE APPLIED A JUMPER ABLE TO GET ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UP, BUT CAR WILL NOT RUN. FORD DEALER RECEIVED CAR, STATED THAT THEIR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE DID N
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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)
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)