2013 Ford C-max energi problems

General information about Ford-C-max energi
Overview of popular issues
Recalls list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

The Ford C-Max (stylized as Ford C-MAX and previously called the Ford Focus C-Max) is a car produced by the Ford Motor Company from 2003 to 2019. It has a five-door compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) design. The Ford Grand C-Max has a longer wheelbase.

Ford introduced the C-Max in the United States as its first hybrid-only line of vehicles, which includes the C-Max Hybrid, released in September 2012, and the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, launched in October 2012. Although the C-Max was initially available only in Europe, the first generation was partially available in New Zealand.

First generation (2003)

The Ford Focus C-Max is preceded by the eponymous show car, which was designed by Daniel Paulin and unveiled at the 2002 Paris Motor Show.

C-Max Mk I was the first product to use the Ford C1 platform, also used by the Ford Focus Mk II and the compact MPV Premacy/Mazda5. Its internal code name is C214.

It seats five passengers and has a large amount of cargo space, which can be increased by folding the rear seats flat. Some models feature diagonally sliding outer rear seats. It also shares the control blade independent rear suspension from the Focus.

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Common 2013 Ford C-max energi problems

The 2013 Ford C-Max Energi has been reported to have several common problems, primarily related to the electrical system, transmission, and battery.

Not keeping charge: Similar to the dead battery issue, some owners have reported problems with the car not keeping charge. This issue has been reported for the 2016 C-Max Energi, but it is possible that it could also affect the 2013 model. This problem can be caused by a faulty battery or issues with the car's electrical system.

Transmission failure: Transmission failure has been reported for the 2013 C-Max Energi, with 3 complaints specifically for this model year. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including wear and tear, lack of maintenance, or manufacturing defects.

Fault in charging message: Some owners have reported a fault in charging message for the 2014 C-Max Energi, which could indicate issues with the car's charging system. This problem can be caused by a faulty charging cable, issues with the car's electrical system, or problems with the battery.

MyFord Touch system: The MyFord Touch system, which was introduced in 2010, has been a source of frustration for many Ford owners. This system, which was designed to be an all-in-one communication and entertainment system, has been criticized for its poor user interface, frequent malfunctions, and lack of support from Ford dealers.

In-car electronics: Several owners have reported problems with the car's in-car electronics, including issues with the sound system, GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity. These problems can be caused by a variety of factors, including software bugs, hardware issues, or problems with the car's electrical system.

Transmission issues: Some owners have reported transmission issues, including problems with shifting and transmission failure. These problems can be caused by wear and tear, lack of maintenance, or manufacturing defects.

In summary, the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi has several common problems, primarily related to the electrical system, transmission, and battery. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including wear and tear, lack of maintenance, manufacturing defects, or software bugs. If you are considering purchasing a 2013 Ford C-Max Energi, it is important to be aware of these common problems and to have the car inspected by a qualified mechanic before making a purchase.

Is the Ford C-Max Energi reliable?

The current Consumer reports Used Car Guide recommends the C-Max as “a hidden used car gem.” Avoid the 2013 model year, though. Transmissions on the Hybrid (not Energi) model were failure-prone before 2015. I own a 2014 C-Max Hybrid and a 2017 C-Max Energi, both for about six years now.

How long does a 2013 Ford C-Max hybrid battery last?

Average Lifespan: Hybrid batteries typically have a lifespan of 100,000 to 200,000 miles. Warranty Coverage: Most hybrid car manufacturers offer warranties that cover the hybrid battery for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles.

Is there any problems with Ford C-Max?

The C-Max Mk2 also has problems that include a loose door frame weather strip, leaky manual transmissions, coolant pump leaks, and a failure of the keyless entry system. However, don't worry, because here we explain what the issues involve and how the DIY mechanic can save large sums of money by repairing them at home.

Is there any recalls on 2013 C-Max Ford?

Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for approximately 850,000 (actual 850,050) 2013-2014 Ford C-MAX, Fusion, Escape and Lincoln MKZ vehicles in North America for a potential issue with the restraints control module.

How long does a 2013 Ford C-Max hybrid battery last?

Is there any problems with Ford C-Max?

Is there any recalls on 2013 C-Max Ford?

Is the Ford C-Max reliable?

Ford C-MAX reliability

The Ford C-MAX was rated a little above average for reliability in our 2017 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey of cars currently on sale in the UK. Of the owners who responded, 11.1% reported experiencing a problem with their car on at least one occasion.

2013 Ford C-max energi complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Ford C-max energi.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2013 Ford C-max energi recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2013 Ford C-max energi.

2013-10-17

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
Summary: 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."
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.

Negative 2013 Ford C-max energi car reviews

Scotty Botsford 2025-11-21

If you are considering purchasing a used or new cmax energi, it is important to be aware of potential costly problems. In my experience, I needed a $1700 rear main seal replacement to stop an oil leak and a $100 software update to prevent the car engine from turning on when the battery is full in L gear. Additionally, I recently spent $500 on tires and alignment due to bad wear. Therefore, I highly recommend having the car inspected by a mechanic before making a purchase. They should pull back the plastic cover under the engine and inspect for leaks, as well as test the car in Low gear immediately after recharging the EV battery to full and let it regen going down hill. Checking the wear on the tires is also important. On a positive note, the car has many upgrades and features that my wife and I both enjoy. As someone who has owned electric, plug-in hybrid, and gas cars, I can attest to the lower maintenance costs and longer lifespan of electrified powertrains. However, I would caution against buying a first-year car model, as I believe the cmax energi was rushed to market without sufficient testing or R&D. It is worth noting that my odometer says 116k miles, but the car display says 82k gas engine and 34k miles electric, indicating a design flaw. A quick Google search for 'cmax rear main seal leak' will reveal many posts on cmax forums about this issue. Thank you to the reviewer who posted about their transmission going out at 160k miles and costing $7000 to repair. I realized that my leak could become a major problem if not fixed. Overall, I hope this information helps inform your decision and leads to a positive car-buying experience.Since my car is out of warranty, I am concerned about paying $1700 for the repair, especially if it leaks again after 2 years. Even though Ford offered me a $300 discount on the repair, $1400 is still a lot of money for me. However, I appreciate their effort to help me with the cost of repair. I reminded them of all the Fords I have owned in my lifetime and mentioned that this would be the last Ford I buy if they can't recognize this as a design flaw or help me with the cost of repair. Ford HQ made me take my vehicle back for an inspection before even trying to work out a discount, but the inspection was free with a $30 oil change at a Ford dealer. They only gave me 30 days to take their discounted offer. I will consider doing it soon. On to the tires, I suggest getting an alignment and rotating them to avoid buying new tires before you need to. I've seen uneven wear in two of these cmax, so it's something you should pay attention to. Not a biggie, but something to pay attention to. The engine turning on when the battery has been fully charged only happens in Low gear when I pull out of the garage and coast immediately down a slight hill incline. The engine kicks on and revs pretty loud. I now never put the car in Low gear until the battery has depleted a little. When it's fully charged, I leave it in Drive, not Low. Apparently, it's a software issue that costs around $100 to fix. Ford has no recall on this that fixes it. I have experienced this in another cmax energy as well as mine recently. If you pull over, turn the car off, then on again, the engine won't go back on, and it will run on Electric as designed. I hope this information has been helpful.I really hope that Ford can stand behind their products and find a permanent solution to this issue. It's frustrating to have to keep going to the dealer for repairs, especially when this doesn't seem to be a common problem in other hybrids. Despite this issue, I do have respect for Ford for not taking a bailout in 2008. However, if expensive repairs continue to be a problem, it may be difficult for me to consider purchasing another Ford product in the future. It's surprising that a company with over 100 years of experience and 400 million cars built cannot design a car with a better crucial seal.
Brendon Flatley 2025-04-23

I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with the CMax energi. While I've had some issues with the transmission making a 'whiring' sound during deceleration at around 160,000 miles, I've been fortunate to have only needed to replace the 12V 'starting battery' for $140. I've driven well over 150K miles and have only had to rotate tires and change fluids. I typically drive 200 miles per day on Southern California freeways commuting to various construction sites, and I often drive into Los Angeles, the deserts and mountains for work. Despite the high mileage, the car has been very comfortable at freeway speeds, where I drive with the flow of traffic, often 80 mph. I'm very happy with my 42+ mpg, especially considering the distances between charges. While there may be other options out there, I've found this car to be a great value overall. Thanks for listening!
Hazel Waelchi 2025-02-22

Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with the C-Max Energi. I initially thought I could drive it just a few miles per day, plug it in at night, and avoid gas stations altogether. However, I ran into a bit of an issue. It turns out that while the lithium ion battery charges, the 12 volt battery that initially cranks the engine doesn't charge at the same time. As a result, if you don't drive extended miles every few days or so, the 12 volt battery will gradually be drained. I learned this the hard way when my battery died twice. According to my local dealer, this is because the Energi doesn't have an alternator. Just something to keep in mind! Let me know if you have any questions.
Guiseppe Shields 2024-10-18

Hi there! I bought this car 2 months ago and have been driving it to and from work mostly. I really like the concept of a plugin hatchback. The car handles fairly well and the motors work great. However, I have to admit that the electronics still need some work. The charging software, navigation, and voice recognition are not up to par yet and have made the experience less enjoyable for me.
Hadley Simonis 2024-09-02

This is my second Ford, and while I appreciate the good gas mileage, I have unfortunately had some issues with it. In the past 3 months, I have had to take it in for service three times due to an oil leak, a rear passenger door that repeatedly falls off, and a front passenger window that requires multiple attempts to close. Additionally, a plastic cover in the back seat fell off while I was taking it in for service. As a result, I am feeling frustrated and disappointed with my purchase, especially since I paid a lot for this car. While I cannot recommend the C-Max based on my experience, I hope that others have better luck with it.

Positive 2013 Ford C-max energi car reviews

Christian Schulist 2025-11-16

I travel all over the Bay Area, covering distances ranging from 5 to 100 miles, without a set drive to work. I often find myself completing a 25-mile loop that ends with a steep uphill quarter-mile grade, with about 5% battery left. Luckily, I live in Northern California where the weather is extremely mild, and I use the air conditioner less than 5% of the time, as it tends to drain the battery. Overall, I have been averaging 120mpg with this car, and since my electricity is free, it's been a great experience. I also own a Volt, which I find to be more efficient between 25 and 110 miles. However, I have found that the C-max's ICE is a little more efficient.
Miguel Paucek 2025-10-21

I purchased my C-Max Energi last May, one of the last 2013 models on the dealer's lot. I got it for well below invoice and 0% for 72 months. Originally, I was going to buy a Focus Electric, but I needed more room and was worried about range anxiety. The C-Max Energi was the smarter choice for me. Even with a battery pack in the trunk, I can fit a stroller out back, and it swallows groceries with ease. With the rear seats down, a wheelchair will fit too. I drive mostly in the city, about 80%, and 20% on the freeway. I'm achieving 120 mpge (EV mode) and 53 mpg (hybrid mode). On a 120v charge, I can go 26 miles without needing to visit the gas station. I made the right choice with this car and I love it!****UPDATED REVIEW - 09/02/16**** I've owned this car for close to 2.5 years now and I continue to love it. It's very fun to drive, handles great, and is fairly efficient too. For daily family usage, there's plenty of space to haul everything we need. My AER (Actual Electrical Range) from a single charge ranges from 23-25 miles without hyper milling. I've taken trips from OC to Santa Cruz to SF (which includes a steep grade and many hills) without any issues. I average 75 mph and get 37 MPG with EV range leftover and a little more than a quarter tank of gas left. This is with my wife, 1-year-old, luggage, and other stuff packed into the car. On the way back to LA, I observed 38 MPG. I saw 40 MPG going down and 41 MPG on the way back from a trip from OC to San Diego over the summer. For local trips from OC to Santa Monica/Hollywood/Pasadena/Costa Mesa, I observed 53 - 57 MPG. My current lifetime MPG is 150.2. I haven't looked at the Lifetime MPGe number, so I will update this later. I drive my car in pure EV mode 85% of the time since I purchased it. I only need to visit the gas station every 3-4 months.****UPDATED REVIEW - 10/16/19**** This is still a wonderful car. My current mileage is 50,972.Hey there! Just wanted to give you a quick update on my commute. Since the last time we spoke, there have been some slight changes. I also wanted to let you know that I've installed Level 2 charging at home, which has been a game-changer. Now, my AER ranges from 16-18, and I'm getting about 4.1-4.3 kWh from empty to full charge before the gas engine kicks in. I estimate that my HVB capacity is at 76%, which means it has degraded about 24%. Let me know if you have any questions!
Emerald Grimes 2025-09-25

I've had my c-Max Energi for 8 months and I absolutely love it! Living in a town of about 200,000, I drive about 25 miles per day with occasional road trips 2-3 hours away. Luckily, I live in the south, so I haven't had the recharging issue others report. The best part is that I am getting 100 miles per gallon and using about $23 per month in electricity. It is also incredibly roomy and comfortable, has great pick-up, and is easy to park. Overall, I couldn't be happier with my purchase!
Maxine Bergnaum 2025-09-03

I'm so glad you're considering the Energi! It's great to hear that you've found a car with significant electric range and a practical hybrid backup system. While the Volt is certainly sporty, it sounds like it may not be the best fit for your everyday needs.
Lincoln Renner 2025-08-14

My company recently installed some charging stations, which prompted me to consider plug-in vehicles. After researching my options, I found that the Prius only goes 11 miles on electric and the Volt was too small for my needs. However, the C-MAX was the perfect fit for me and I couldn't be happier with my decision. The quality of the car is absolutely amazing and it feels great to drive. They really fixed everything I disliked about my previous cars. I simply plug it in at work every day and it gets me home and back with ease, as my round-trip commute is about 20 miles. On the weekends, I use it as a hybrid and it works great. The only downside is the turning radius, but that's a minor issue. Overall, I highly recommend the C-MAX to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient car.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2013 Ford C-max energi problems:

Stay away from C-Max Energi with transmission issues? : r/cmaxhybrid

https://www.reddit.com/r/cmaxhybrid/comments/r7kzfw/stay_away_from_cmax_energi_with_transmission/

Dec 2, 2021 ... I found a 2013 C-Max Energi for $1500 that drives but needs a transmission and has a check engine light on for a faulty catalytic converter.

Buying Used 2013 C-Max Hybrid, worried about transmission issues ...

https://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/7044-buying-used-2013-c-max-hybrid-worried-about-transmission-issues/

Feb 19, 2018 ... obob · 1. Rear tire cupping - kind of agree. · 2. Brakes at 10K - strongly disagree. · 3. The dead battery problems are largely in the past. · 4.

Potentially buying a 2013 Ford C-Max SEL this week! However.... : r ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/cmaxhybrid/comments/lc74cd/potentially_buying_a_2013_ford_cmax_sel_this_week/

Feb 4, 2021 ... I've read about transmission issues some of you have had. This car has 53,000km (32k miles) this will be the first hybrid I've ever owned/drove ...

My 2013 Ford C-Max Energi Trans Issues Solved - eCVT ...

https://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/8124-my-2013-ford-c-max-energi-trans-issues-solved/

Apr 11, 2020 ... My tech remove the subframe and raised the car from the engine/trans. He checked the exterior of trans, flushed fluid and installed it and did ...