Ford REDUNDANT C-MAX HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
137 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
38,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 to 2015 model years. Data snapshot: . 113 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 46 of 137 complaints (33.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 33 | 24.1% |
| Steering behavior | 19 | 13.9% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 7.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 46 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Steering | 16 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Back Over Prevention | 8 |
Electrical System: 46; Engine: 17; Power Train: 17; Steering: 16; Structure:Body: 10; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9; Back Over Prevention: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 46 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 46; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (46). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 24 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2013: 24; 2014: 19; 2015: 10; 2016: 15; 2017: 14; 2018: 13; 2019: 11; 2020: 1; 2021: 5; 2022: 8; 2024: 6; 2025: 5; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 33 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10523269 · 2013-07-05 (July 5, 2013)
VEHICLE BATTERY DISCOVERED TO BE TOTALLY DISCHARGED AFTER SITTING IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. TOLD BY FORD DEALER TO "JUMP START" IT AND BRING IN FOR SERVICE. THIS WAS DONE. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP AT DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE WRITER, STATED THAT THE "COMPUTERS" INDICATED THAT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, THE RADIO HAD TURNED ON (ON IT'S OWN, AND WITHOUT ANY KEY IN THE IGNITION) AND HAD DRAINED THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT. HE STATED THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD "REPROGRAMMED THE DCDC MODULE PER TSB 13-6-23", (THIS BULLETIN IS FOR COLD WEATHER CHARGING IMP…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,028 miles reported. Look up ODI 10523269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10531660 · 2013-07-24 (July 24, 2013)
** EVENT 1, 17 MAY 2013: CAR FAILED TO START. SOME INDICATION OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTION. FORD SERVICE UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY PROBLEM ** EVENT 2, 5 JUNE 2013: CAR FAILED TO START. FORD SERVICE FOUND A BAD CELL IN BATTERY, THOUGHT THAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. ** EVENT 3: 17 JULY 2013: CAR FAILED TO START. MY AMMETER VERIFIED 13+ VOLTS ACROSS BATTERY. FORD SERVICE (DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS) FOUND A PROBLEM BUT NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE. ** EVENT 4, 18 JULY 2013: CAR LOST ALL ELECTRICAL AND POWER WHILE MOVING AT 30 MPH. PROBLEM IDENTIFIED BY FORD SERVICE AS …
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10531660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537988 · 2013-08-29 (August 29, 2013)
AFTER STARTING (PUSH BUTTON START) AND DRIVING OUT OF MY GARAGE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND A "SERVICE POWER STEERING SOON" WARNING WAS DISPLAYED. AFTER I STOPPED AND STARTED AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN ENABLED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER BUT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AS THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ERROR CODE U3000:49 WAS STORED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10587644 · 2014-05-11 (May 11, 2014)
STOPPED TO GET GAS. AFTER FILL-UP CAR STARTED BUT STEERING WAS GONE, LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD "CHECK POWER STEERING NOW". WAS 75 MILES FROM HOME. HAD TO BE TOWED, CAR IN SHOP FOR WEEKEND UNTIL TUESDAY WAITING FOR ELECTRONIC STEERING MODULE. TOWING, CAR RENTAL AND PART REPLACED AT FORD'S EXPENSE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON NEW FORD SMALL CARS ON VARIOUS INTERNET FORD CMAX FORUMS. ACCORDING TO REPORTS ON INTERNET, THIS CAN REOCCUR AND HAS HAPPENED AT SPEED AFTER THE MODULE IS REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10587644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10495191 · 2013-01-30 (January 30, 2013)
CPM TAKES OVER VEHICLE OPERATION AND ELIMINATES USE OF ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE SELF ACCELERATES TO MAXIMUM OF 35 MPH. ELECTRIC BRAKES BECOME VERY SENSITIVE, BECOMING JERKY AND STOP ITS MOVEMENT VERY FAST. THE VEHICLE HAS REPEATEDLY WENT INTO THIS MODE AT 800 MILES, 1800 MILES, 2200 MILES, 2300 MILES AND APPROXIMATELY 2350 MILES. FOR MOTOR COMPANY AND LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS TO DO SO. UNABLE TO GET SUFFICIENT INFORMATION FROM FMC TO DETERMINE IF ITS A FLEET WIDE PROBLEM OR A SINGLE VEHICLE PR…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10579342 · 2014-04-12 (April 12, 2014)
THE WIFE JUMPED A CURB WHILE PARKING AND THE CMAX RAN INTO A BRICK PILLAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WIFE SAID HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATION FROM A STOP WAS VIOLENT. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10579342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10781602 · 2015-10-13 (October 13, 2015)
2013 FORD C-MAX HYBRID TRANSMISSION, LOUD NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION AREA WHEN CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. NO SOUND IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. SOUND IS INTERMITTENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10781602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10823318 · 2016-01-31 (January 31, 2016)
AS OF CURRENTLY THIS IS GOING TO BE THE 10TH TIME THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR ( FACTORY RECALLS AND REPAIRS ). THIS LAST TIME WAS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY TRANSMISSION THAT TOOK OVER 3 WEEKS TO REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,456 miles reported. Look up ODI 10823318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10978743 · 2017-04-17 (April 17, 2017)
STALLS WHILE IN MOTION ON .HAD STOPPED FOR A LIGHT WHEN I WENT FOWARD THE CAR STALLED,THEN STALLED 2 MORE TIMES IN LESS THAN 1/8 TH MILE .THEN THE CAR SAT FOR 1/2 HR THEN WAS ALL RIGHT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10978743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11121726 · 2018-08-22 (August 22, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE BATTERY SAVER WARNING INDICATOR TURNED OFF AND THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL: "911 ASSIST IS DISABLED, CONTACT DEALER". IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE SHIFTER INDICATOR DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT THE MOTOR DID NOT INDICATE THAT IT WAS READY TO DRIVE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE LATER. THE CONTACT PLACED THE SHIFTER INTO REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE, BUT A SUDDEN LOSS OF POW…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11121726 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10956261 · 2017-02-22 (February 22, 2017)
THE CONNECTORS LEAKED INTERNALLY THROUGH THE INJECTOR AND ROTTED ALL THE PARTS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956261 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 0 |
2013: 2; 2015: 0