2013 FORD C-MAX — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 234 complaints · 10 recalls
Most-reported system: STEERING (48 complaints · 20.5%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 6
  • Fires 7
  • Injuries 4
  • Deaths 0
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NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution STEERING appears in 48 of 234 owner complaints (20.5%) in this vehicle snapshot. STEERING: 48 complaints, 20.5% of reports STEERING 48 · 20.5% · 1 crash reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 46 complaints, 19.7% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 46 · 19.7% · 2 fire reports POWER TRAIN: 41 complaints, 17.5% of reports POWER TRAIN 41 · 17.5% STRUCTURE: 15 complaints, 6.4% of reports STRUCTURE 15 · 6.4% · 2 crash reports ENGINE: 10 complaints, 4.3% of reports ENGINE 10 · 4.3% FUEL SYSTEM: 7 complaints, 3.0% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 7 · 3.0% · 2 fire reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: 7 complaints, 3.0% of reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 · 3.0% · 1 crash reports WHEELS: 4 complaints, 1.7% of reports WHEELS 4 · 1.7% AIR BAGS: 3 complaints, 1.3% of reports AIR BAGS 3 · 1.3% UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 56 complaints, 23.9% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 56 · 23.9% · 3 crash reports 3 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
STEERING 48 20.5% 1 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 46 19.7% 0 crashes · 2 fires
POWER TRAIN 41 17.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
STRUCTURE 15 6.4% 2 crashes · 0 fires
ENGINE 10 4.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 7 3.0% 0 crashes · 2 fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 3.0% 1 crashes · 0 fires
WHEELS 4 1.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
AIR BAGS 3 1.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 56 23.9% 3 crashes · 3 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 2014; the first recall shown was reported in Mar 2013. 2014-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2014-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2014-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2015-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2016-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2017-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2017-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2017-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2017-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2018-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2018-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2018-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2018-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2019-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2019-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2019-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2019-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2020-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2020-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2020-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2020-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2021-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2021-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2022-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2022-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2022-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2023-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2023-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2024-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2025-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2026-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Mar 2013 Apr 2026 Recall campaign 13V085000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V085000 Recall campaign 13V303000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V303000 Recall campaign 13V475000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V475000 Recall campaign 14V164000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V164000 Recall campaign 14V237000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V237000 Recall campaign 14V597000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V597000 Recall campaign 16V643000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V643000 Recall campaign 18V592000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V592000 Recall campaign 20V331000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V331000 Recall campaign 22V413000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V413000 Investigation PE16001 ● Investigation PE16001 Investigation PE16001 ● Investigation PE16001 Investigation PE16001 ● Investigation PE16001 Investigation RQ19005 ● Investigation RQ19005 Investigation RQ19005 ● Investigation RQ19005 Investigation RQ19005 ● Investigation RQ19005 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005 Investigation DP22005 ● Investigation DP22005
  • Campaign 16V643000 was reported 818 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V592000 was reported 1,552 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V331000 was reported 2,189 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V413000 was reported 2,935 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2014-Q1 Owner reports 1
2014-Q2 Owner reports 5
2014-Q3 Owner reports 7
2014-Q4 Owner reports 3
2015-Q1 Owner reports 5
2015-Q2 Owner reports 4
2015-Q3 Owner reports 2
2016-Q1 Owner reports 2
2016-Q2 Owner reports 3
2016-Q3 Owner reports 5
2016-Q4 Owner reports 6
2017-Q1 Owner reports 7
2017-Q2 Owner reports 8
2017-Q3 Owner reports 4
2017-Q4 Owner reports 10
2018-Q1 Owner reports 6
2018-Q2 Owner reports 5
2018-Q3 Owner reports 6
2018-Q4 Owner reports 12
2019-Q1 Owner reports 9
2019-Q2 Owner reports 6
2019-Q3 Owner reports 6
2019-Q4 Owner reports 12
2020-Q1 Owner reports 8
2020-Q2 Owner reports 13
2020-Q3 Owner reports 8
2020-Q4 Owner reports 3
2021-Q1 Owner reports 7
2021-Q2 Owner reports 3
2021-Q3 Owner reports 5
2021-Q4 Owner reports 4
2022-Q1 Owner reports 8
2022-Q2 Owner reports 2
2022-Q3 Owner reports 6
2022-Q4 Owner reports 9
2023-Q1 Owner reports 4
2023-Q2 Owner reports 2
2023-Q3 Owner reports 2
2023-Q4 Owner reports 3
2024-Q3 Owner reports 2
2024-Q4 Owner reports 1
2025-Q1 Owner reports 1
2025-Q2 Owner reports 1
2025-Q3 Owner reports 3
2025-Q4 Owner reports 1
2026-Q1 Owner reports 3
2026-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 13V085000
Recall campaign 1 13V303000
Recall campaign 1 13V475000
Recall campaign 1 14V164000
Recall campaign 1 14V237000
Recall campaign 1 14V597000
Recall campaign 1 16V643000
Recall campaign 1 18V592000
Recall campaign 1 20V331000
Recall campaign 1 22V413000
Defect investigation 1 PE16001
Defect investigation 1 PE16001
Defect investigation 1 PE16001
Defect investigation 1 RQ19005
Defect investigation 1 RQ19005
Defect investigation 1 RQ19005
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
Defect investigation 1 DP22005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (10)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V085000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V303000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, an occupant could be at an increased risk of an injury.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install energy absorbers between the headliner and the roof. The recall began on August 5, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C02.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V475000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 14V164000

    Report date
    Component:
    SEATS
    Consequence:
    The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 14V237000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    If the side-curtain rollover air bag is delayed in deploying in certain rollover circumstances, the risk of injury to the passengers is increased.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 14V597000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V643000

    Report date
    Component:
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
    Consequence:
    A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V592000

    Report date
    Component:
    EQUIPMENT
    Consequence:
    An overheated cord can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V331000

    Report date
    Component:
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
    Consequence:
    A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to inspect their own vehicle's door latches and enter the date codes into a website to determine if the latches are correct. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S30.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V413000

    Report date
    Component:
    POWER TRAIN
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 234 complaints · page 1 of 10

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources