Home · 2013 Ford Cmax Energi · Complaints

What 228 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Cmax Energi

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (228)Crash / fire / injury (15)Electrical system (68)Steering (47)Transmission & drivetrain (44)Engine (17)Body & structure (16)Fuel system (9)Speed control (9)Brakes (7)Wheels (6)Airbags (5)

44 of 228 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 2 of 2

Apr 23, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND NO PARTS AVAILABLE. I HEARD WHAT I THOUGHT WAS ANOTHER WHEEL BEARING NOISE WHICH HAPPENED A MONTH AGO AND WAS REPAIRED. THIS TIME IT TURNED OUT TO BE TRANSMISSION IS BAD. STILL OWE 4100.00 TO FORD ON 6 YEAR LOAN. CAR PURCHASES 3/2014 NEW. THEY CAN'T FIX IT DUE TO NO PARTS AVAILABLE AS NOTED ON THIS REPAIR BILL. (QUOTED 8100.00 IF THEY COULD GET THE PARTS)

NHTSA ODI 11203182

Jan 8, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 99K. FORD SENT A LETTER A FEW MONTHS BEFORE I PURCHASED CAR FROM OWNER. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM FIX IS $8100.00 CAR ISN'T WORTH THAT. CAR WAS MAINTAINED PERFECTLY BY BOTH OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI 11165109

Dec 10, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C- MAX. WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL, HIGH PITCHED GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, "PLEASE PULL OVER SAFELY" WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,211.

NHTSA ODI 11160591

Dec 3, 2018Transmission & drivetrainEngine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND A "STOP SAFETLY NOW" WARNING POPPED UP ON MY SPEEDOMETER. I MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED THE CAR. I LOOKING ONLINE FOR A SOLUTION AND I READ THAT I CAN TURN ON AND OFF THE CAR A COUPLE TIMES AND THAT WILL FIX IT. I READ THERE WAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART. THE FORD C-MAX HAS THE SAME ISSUE BUT WAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE SINCE IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND I HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. FORD SHOULD ISSUE THE RECALL TO THE C-MAX AS FOR THE "STOP SAFETLY NOW" ISSUE ON THEIR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11155711

Nov 19, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, OR IN MOTION LOUD GRINDING OR THUDDING NOISE FROM ENGINE. WHRN PLACING VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL SLIGHTLY IMPROVES. WHEN TAKEN IN TO FORD DEALERSHIP, WAS INFORMED IT HOLDS 5 QTS TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ONLY CONTAINED 1 QT. VEHICLE AT 110,000 MILES. TOLD A REFURBISHED TRANSMISSION COSTS $4800 AND LABOR AND TAX BRINGS THE REPLACEMENT TO $6800.

NHTSA ODI 11152469

Apr 12, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MITCHELL SELIG FORD, 801 BLOOMFIELD AVE, WINDSOR, CT 06095) AND THE NOISE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI 11084739

Mar 19, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, TOOK CAR TO TWO DEALERSHIPS, BOTH SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING - MARCH OF 2018. CAR HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. FORD HAD ISSUED TSB 15-0174, WHICH DEALT WITH TRANSMISSIONS FAILING. AFFECTED CARS ARE C-MAX HYBRIDS BUILT BETWEEN AUG 8, 2012 AND JUN 17, 2014. LETTERS WERE TO BE SENT OUT THE WEEK OF NOV 16, 2015. WE PURCHASED THE CAR MID APRIL OF 2015 AND ARE COMPLAINING BECAUSE FORD DID NOT SEND US A LETTER ALTHOUGH THEY KNEW WE HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR?

NHTSA ODI 11080308

Jan 31, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

I HAVE A FORD C-MAX 2013, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GRINDING AT JUST OVER 100K MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS KNOWN ISSUE, BUT BEING OVER 100K MILES FORD WOULD NOT HELP. I OPENED A CASE WITH FORD AFTER FINDING OUT THAT UP TO 75% OF ALL C-CMAX HAVE THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE. (SEE PDF EVIDENCE). ALSO FOUND THE FOLLOWING: HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/ARTICLES/2013-2014-FORD-FUSION-HYBRID-C-MAX-HYBRID-TRANSMISSION-ISSUE-1420684957170/ WHILE I UNDERSTAND BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, ITS UNFORTUNATE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL OR NOTICE TO OWNERS. TRANSMISSION ON C-MAX ARE NOT CHEAP. I WOULD EVEN BE WILLING TO MEET FORD HALF WAY ON A REPAIR. THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE HAS MADE ME SERIOUSLY QUESTION FORDS COMMITMENT TO ITS CUSTOMERS AND THE QUALITY OF ITS PRODUCT.

NHTSA ODI 11066076

Dec 26, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 2200 MILES AWAY FROM HOME TWICE ABOUT ONE YEAR APART. BOTH TIMES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MAKE TERRIBLE NOISE BOTH IDLING AND ON THE ROAD. THE TWO DEALERS, ONE IN NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND TNE OTHER IN GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION OIL FOR METAL PARTICLES WHICH WERE FOUND IN ABUNDANCE BOTH TIMES. I LOOKED AT THE OPENED TRANSMISSION WHERE I OBSERVED THE VERY LARGE ROLLER BEARINGS AND RACE FULL OF PITS AND GULLS OBVIOUSLY FROM POOR QUALITY METAL PARTS SINCE THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED.

NHTSA ODI 11056667

Dec 26, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 2200 MILES AWAY FROM HOME TWICE ABOUT ONE YEAR APART. BOTH TIMES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MAKE TERRIBLE NOISE BOTH IDLING AND ON THE ROAD. THE TWO DEALERS, ONE IN NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND TNE OTHER IN GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION OIL FOR METAL PARTICLES WHICH WERE FOUND IN ABUNDANCE BOTH TIMES. I LOOKED AT THE OPENED TRANSMISSION WHERE I OBSERVED THE VERY LARGE ROLLER BEARINGS AND RACE FULL OF PITS AND GULLS OBVIOUSLY FROM POOR QUALITY METAL PARTS SINCE THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED.

NHTSA ODI 11056726

Dec 18, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS-13704524-H7N0D5. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11055308

Oct 24, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE IN THE GEARS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED SONORA FORD (13254 MONO WAY, SONORA, CA 95370; 209-532-5593), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE BRIDGE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VERACOM FORD (790 SAN MATEO DRIVE, SAN MATEO, CA 94401; 650-340-7199) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 13370483. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11039187

Apr 6, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

CAR STOPPED WORKING WHILE IN MOTION ON BUSY STREET DUE TO SPONTANEOUS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS FAILURE IS THE SUBJECT OF AT LEAST THREE FORD TSB'S. I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM FORD REGARDING THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 10971029

Feb 6, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STOP VEHICLE NOW INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SLOWED TO A STOP WITHIN 200 YARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,163. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 05/26/2017 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10949880

Aug 29, 2016Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT NIGHT AT 70MPH THE CAR TURNED OFF ITS PROPULSION SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING. A RED WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON STAYING STOP SAFELY NOW. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT RESTARTED. THE NEXT DAY SHE DROVE IT TO THE SUPERMARKET. ON THE 2 MILE DRIVE HOME IT STOPPED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION JUST LIKE IT HAD ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS THAT LED TO A RECALL ON THE FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC, WHICH WAS MADE IN THE SAME PLANT AT THE SAME TIME IN 2013: HTTP://INSIDEEVS.COM/FORD-FOCUS-ELECTRIC-SHUTDOWN-PROBLEMS-WHILE-DRIVING-GET-OFFICIAL-AS-NHSTA-INVESTIGATES/.

NHTSA ODI 10899097

Mar 17, 2016Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH AND LOST POWER ON A BUSY ROAD WITH SEMI COMING UP BEHIND ME. DISPLAY STATED "STOP SAFELY NOW".

NHTSA ODI 10850301

Apr 7, 2015Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlBrakesEngine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INSTRUCTING ME TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP. WHEN I DID PULLED OVER, I SET THE GEARSHIFT IN "PARK" MODE, AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS THAT DAY. SUBSEQUENTLY, I NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE ENGINE ( BOTH ELECTRIC AND GASOLINE) SHUT OFF SUDDENLY AND I LOST ALL POWER MOMENTARILY, THEN TURNED ON AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY AND I DISCOVERED THAT WHEN I POSITION THE GEARSHIFT JUST PAST THE DRIVE MODE, THE PROBLEM STOPS. IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT IS SET JUST PAST PARK, THE CAR NEVER LOSES POWER. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR IN JANUARY 2015, I WAS TOLD THAT THE GEARSHIFT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND FURTHERMORE THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF MARCH (IT'S ON BACKORDER). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10704268

Jul 19, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

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

NHTSA ODI 10614714

May 28, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

CAR WILL NOT START, NOTHING LEFT ON, CAR JUMPED WITH JUMPER, TOOK PLACE AGAIN YESTERDAY 5/27/2014. UNABLE TO JUMP START THIS TIME, FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE APPLIED A JUMPER ABLE TO GET ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UP, BUT CAR WILL NOT RUN. FORD DEALER RECEIVED CAR, STATED THAT THEIR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO JUMP CAR. ALSO STATED BATTERY WAS DEAD, BUT TESTED FINE. ASKED WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN, COULD NOT TELL ME. THEY STATED THAT ALL POWER SYSTEMS LIKE LIGHTS OR PHONES ARE AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF AFTER 45 MINUTES. HAVE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. WHEN BATTERY IS DEAD, GEAR SHIFTER CANNOT BE MOVED TO EVEN PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE CARPORT TO BE TOWED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10594601

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Working with the data? Download all 228 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Ford Cmax Energi verdict →