The Lemon Index
20141st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
45 owner complaints, first 3 years 38–40 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Buick Regal2013 Toyota Yaris 232013 Honda Insight
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 32,000 miles (8,100–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 40 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 22V413000 (transmission & drivetrain), 20V331000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 18V592000 (equipment) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 127 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Clock fails to be set unless front control display interface module fcdim) has date set first…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 45 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 32K miles (8K to 51K km) on the car (40 of all 45 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
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.
2013 Ford C-Max owner · NHTSA complaint 10595419
More owner reports
Driving approximately 45mph and lost power on a busy road with semi coming up behind me. Display stated "stop safely now".
NHTSA complaint 10850301
12 volt battery keeps going dead rendering car inoperable and stranding driver. Car has been returned to dealer several times and problem has not been fixed.
NHTSA complaint 10935509
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 8.4M views · 2013–2018 Ford C-Max
- Infotainment, battery & electrical420K views
How to replace 12V battery in Ford C-Max Energi 2013-2016Chris P · 185K views · 7 videos - Oil changes & service321K views
How to reset "ENGINE MALFUNCTION SERVICE NOW" warning message on 2013 Ford Auto C-Max 2L TDCi DiesalMera channel · 174K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door276K views
Ford C-Max Cabin Air Filter Replacement ( 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 )Undercar Experts · 151K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition74K views
2015 Ford C-Max Hybrid Energy Plug-in Won't Start Lots of SurprisesAK Auto Repair Автоэлектрик Диагност · 74K views
Show 2 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring42K views
2017 Ford Grand CMax service light resetDIYDaly · 42K views - Cooling system4K views
How to Add Coolant in a Ford C-Max (2013–2018)Clay Auto · 3K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2016 Ford C-MAX vs Grand C-MAX new Facelift MPV FULL REVIEW test driven - AutogefühlAutogefühl · 315K views
2016 Ford C-MAX Hybrid - Review and Road TestKelley Blue Book · 214K views
Ford C-Max 2015 review | TELEGRAPH CARSTelegraph Cars · 212K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2013 is the same generation.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 127 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clock fails to be set unless front control display interface module fcdim) has date set first…
- Intermittent stall/no crank with a stop safely now
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2020
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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2018
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 ho…
Show all 8 recalls
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2016
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2014
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2013
In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedDoor latch failures2019–2022
- ClosedDoor latch failure2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford CMAX Energi 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,500–$1,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Ford C-Max year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Ford C-Max years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-c-max/?y=2013" title="Ford C-Max reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-c-max/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Ford C-Max reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Ford C-Max reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 75; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford C-Max year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2015.
What are the most common 2013 Ford C-Max problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (40%), engine (16%) and steering (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford C-Max have?
8 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford C-Max get?
38 to 40 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Ford C-Max safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford C-Max problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 32,000 miles (8,100–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 40 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2013 Ford C-Max have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Ford C-Max cost in fuel a year?
About $1,500 to $1,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Ford C-Max have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Ford C-Max year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works