Equipment:electrical
NHTSA campaign 18V592000 · 2018 · reported 09/10/2018
An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2013 Ford C-MAX Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.5× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
186Complaints
7Recalls
4Crashes
5Fires
2Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (26.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 50 · 26.9% | not available | — |
| Steering | 39 · 21% | not available | — |
| Power Train | 37 · 19.9% | Recalled | Recall 22V413000 |
| Engine | 16 · 8.6% | not available | — |
| Structure:body | 9 · 4.8% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes | 8 · 4.3% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 186 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 7 campaigns
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
NHTSA campaign 16V643000 · 2016 · reported 09/06/2016
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags
NHTSA campaign 14V597000 · 2014 · reported 09/26/2014
The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
NHTSA campaign 14V237000 · 2014 · reported 05/07/2014
If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seats:front Assembly:recliner
NHTSA campaign 14V164000 · 2014 · reported 04/02/2014
The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
NHTSA campaign 20V331000 · 2020 · reported 06/08/2020
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
NHTSA campaign 22V413000 · 2022 · reported 06/10/2022
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE OUTSIDE DRIVERS SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS GETTING SO HOT THE PLASTIC IS MELTING.”NHTSA complaint 11330917 — filed 06/25/2020 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“VERY LOUD POPPING INITIALLY. DEAFENING POPS THAT SOUND LIKE YOUR WINDSHIELD WAS HIT WITH A HIGH VELOCITY OBJECT. AT FIRST YOU CANT TELL WHERE THE…”NHTSA complaint 11327668 — filed 06/07/2020 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2017. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL OCTOBER 2019 CAR DIDN'T CRANK EVERYTHING DEAD. TOOK IT TO ONE DEALER AND THEY LAUGHED AT…”NHTSA complaint 11320730 — filed 04/10/2020 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford C-MAX?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 50 of 186 NHTSA complaints (26.9%), followed by steering (39), power train (37), unspecified/other issues (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2013 Ford C-MAX have?
186 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 4 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 2 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2013 Ford C-MAX have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V592000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2013 Ford C-MAX's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
