What 228 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Cmax Energi

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

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING THE CAR IN OUR GARAGE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED A 7 INCH STEP AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL. WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARD WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED HARD. IT TOOK ABOUT 20 FEET TO STOP THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11073288

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

THE 12-VOLT BATTERY WILL DIE WITHOUT WARNING OR REASON. NO LIGHTS LEFT ON, OR ANYTHING THAT MAY DRAIN THE BATTERY. THIS LEAVES YOU WITHOUT ACCESS TO YOUR CAR AS THERE ARE NO KEYS. PARKED THE CAR AT NIGHT, AND WOKE UP THE NEXT DAY TO A COMPLETELY DEAD CAR. AFTER GETTING A JUMP START, THE CAR WILL BE FINE FOR A MONTH OR TWO; BUT THEN HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES IN THE YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11065533

ON 12/20/2017 AT ABOUT 8:30 PM ON ROUTE 139 (HIGHWAY) EAST BOUND, AFTER STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE PROPULSION SHUT OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO PLACE GEAR IN PARK, AND RESTART VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 12TH STREET IN JERSEY CITY, NJ BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PARK LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. IN THE MORNING I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BRING IT TO WAYNE FORD AT 444 ROUTE 46, WAYNE , NJ 07470, WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A INTERSECTION. ON ROUTE 1(HIGHWAY) IN JERSEY CITY, NJ. AGAIN I HAD TO PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED MULTIPLY TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED AGAIN ON LOCAL ROADS ANS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OF ROUTE 46 OR ROUTE 3 WHICH I HAD TO USE TO GET TO THIS LOCATION.. I EXPLAINED TO THE REPAIR PERSON MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION AS I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, ONCE WHILE TURNING, ALWAYS WHEN IN MOTION. ALSO ASKED THAT ALL RECALL ITEMS OF THIS VEHICLE BE CORRECTED AT THIS TIME TOO. AS OF THIS DATE 1/01/2018 WAYNE FORD HAS YET TO TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR WHEN MY VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11057801

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

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

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

WHEN I STARTED MY CAR TO RETURN HOME FROM WORK, THE "STEERING WARNING" LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND WHEN I TRIED TO BACK OUT, I REALIZED THAT MY WHEEL WAS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT WITH THE SAME RESPONSE. I CALLED FOR A TOW TO A DEALERSHIP AND AFTER THEY HAD THE CAR OVERNIGHT AND INTO THE NEXT AFTERNOON, WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $1,400 TO REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP AND TO BALANCE AND REALIGN MY TIRES. THE REPAIR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AS IT IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS JUST OVER 52,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION MY STEERING WAS ABOUT TO GO. MY CAR IS REGULARLY SERVICED AND MADE NO NOISES OR HAD ANY TROUBLES PRIOR TO THIS INSTANT FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11053411

UNABLE TO DRIVE CARE DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING (HAPPENED WHEN PARKED FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES -- WENT IN BUILDING TO PICK UP SON FROM DAYCARE, CAME OUT AND NO POWER STEERING WHEN I RESTARTED CAR). THIS HAS APPARENTLY BEEN A PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR AND THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THOSE, BUT NOT FOR THE C-MAX. UNSURE IF THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, BUT IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC IF IT DID. CAR HAS 52000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ODI 11051670

CMAX MELTING PLUG THE 120 VOLT, 12 AMP CHARGE CORD THAT CAME WITH MY CAR IS OVERHEATING CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THE END OF THE CORD THAT PLUGS INTO THE WALL HAS MELTED AND LEFT BURN MARKS ON THREE DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL OUTLETS IN MY GARAGE WHERE I PLUG THE CAR IN TO CHARGE. I PUT IN A DEDICATED 20 AMP LINE AND PLUG DUE TO THIS PROBLEM IN AUGUST. THE PLUG STILL BURNED AND MELTED. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE OUTLET AND PLUG. I MADE FORD AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED VIA. FORD EV HELP LINE CASE # CAS-13607255. I AM TAKING THE CAR AND CHARGER INTO FORD ON MONDAY COMING 11/27/17. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CORD HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2013. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY PLUG. IT IS NOT.

NHTSA ODI 11048413

CAR WILL NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED. AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER DOES NOT WORK TO OPEN CAR. ONLY VALET KEY WILL OPEN CAR. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE DEAD, THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 10 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2014. SUPPOSEDLY THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP EACH TIME BY REPLACING THE BATTERY, REPLACING RELAY SYSTEMS, ETC. BUT IT CONTINUES TO RECUR. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO ITS OCCURRENCE BUT IS WELL KNOWN TO FMC.

NHTSA ODI 11047477

43,500 MILES THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED; IT BEGAN A FEW THOUSAND MILES AGO, WHERE IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORK AFTER STARTING THE CAR, BUT THEN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT WOULD BEGIN WORKING. NOW IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY FOR LONGER. DEALER SERVICE HAS REVIEWED AND HAS DETERMINED THE (EST.) $2000 PARTS NEED REPLACING.

NHTSA ODI 11043928

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

FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS THE STEERING SOUNDED LIKE IT NEEDED LUBRICATION, BUT I COULDN'T FIND ANY LUBRICATION POINTS EVERYTHING IS SEALED, THEN THE OTHER DAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE STEERING WENT OUT AND A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED SERVICE POWER STEERING ASSIST NOW AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ( IT WOULD ONLY GO STRAIGHT NOT RIGHT OR LEFT) LUCKILY SHE WAS GOING INTO A TURN WITH A TURN OUT NEXT TO IT SO SHE COULD GET IT STOPPED. SHE RE STARTED THE CAR AND HAD MANUAL STEERING AND GOT THE CAR HOME. LATER I STARTED IT GOT THAT MESSAGE AND AN ADVANCE TRAC WARNING AND COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER MOVING FORWARD AND BACKWARD A FEW TIMES AND RESTARTING THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTED WE TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. SO WE LOADED IT ON A CAR DOLLY AND TOWED IT 60 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND RECOMMENDED A $2400. REPAIR REPLACING THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY THE CAR HAS AROUND 75000 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT FORD HAS HAD RECALLS FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY FOR 2013 CAR BUT NOT THE C-MAX. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.

NHTSA ODI 11034471

UPON BRAKING, THE CAR HAS LURCHED FORWARD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ALMOST REAR ENDING OTHER CARS, HAPPENS IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER, ROAD SURFACES, INTERMITTENT BUT HAPPENS PROBABLY AT LEAST 3 TIMES PER WEEK. ALSO, WHEN STOPPED AND ACCELERATING, THE CAR HAS A HESITATION ISSUE LIKE NO FUEL GETS TO IT FOR A MOMENT AND THAT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK AS WELL AS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO

NHTSA ODI 11024878

I HAVE HAD A CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH MY CAR BATTERY GOING DEAD. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY EVERY 4 OR 5 MONTHS. I USE MY CAR EVERY DAY, THE BATTERY DRAINS OVERNIGHT. THE BATTERY TESTS FINE AT THE FORD DEALER. THIS LAST TIME THE BATTERY DIED, WE TRICKLE CHARGED IT AND AFTER GAINING BACK POWER NOTICED WE LOST ALL POWER FUNCTIONS TO ALL DOORS ON OUR VEHICLE. AFTER A WEEK OF DIAGNOSIS AT THE FORD DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT TWO OF THE DOOR MODULES WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. FORD ORDERED NEW MODULES AND ONE CAME TO THEM DEFECTIVE. I HAVE TO GO IN YET AGAIN NEXT WEEK TO HAVE THEM CHANGE OUT THAT MODULE FOR LACK OF THE AUTO UP FEATURE. I THINK FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE MODULES, I THINK THEY ARE CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN OVERNIGHT, AND LEADING TO EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC/REPAIRS BILLS AT THE VEHICLE OWNERS EXPENSE. THIS ISSUE IS NOT CAUSED BY A VEHICLE OWNER, THIS IS FAULTY PARTS FROM FORD. I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT THE NEW OEM PARTS WILL LAST LONG, THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. MY 2013 FORD CMAX ONLY HAS 48K MILES AND IS TAKEN CARE OF AND MAINTAINED REGULARLY.

NHTSA ODI 11014719

CAR GOES DEAD AND 12-VOLT BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED BECAUSE FAULTY COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LEAVES ELECTRICAL MODULES ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED "OFF." UNCLEAR IF ITEMS THAT REMAIN ELECTRICALLY "HOT" POSE DIRECT SAFETY PROBLEMS, BUT CONSUMERS RISK BEING UNABLE TO START/RESTART THE CAR IN EMERGENCY OR NORMAL SITUATIONS. FORD DECLINES TO PAY FOR REPROGRAMMING THIS FAULTY DESIGN BEYOND THE NORMAL WARRANTY TIME (EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS COVERED BY A FORD EXTENDED "PREMIUM" WARRANTY). IN MY CASE, THE CAR WAS PARKED AT MY HOME AND THE BATTERY FAILED - TWICE IN A FEW WEEKS - OVERNIGHT IN WARM SUMMER WEATHER. I URGE YOU TO EXAMINE WHAT SYSTEMS ARE BEING LEFT ON AND TO URGE OR REQUIRE FORD TO CORRECT ITS DESIGN DEFICIENCIES. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI 11011299

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING. AN WARNING LIGHT COMES ON SAYING"STOP SAFELY NOW". BRAKES AND STEERING ARE NOT AFFECTED SO I CAN PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT WILL RUN NORMALLY.

NHTSA ODI 11004091

MY 2013 FORD C-MAX ENERGI PRODUCES A "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING MESSAGE AND QUICKLY LOSES ALL POWER. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 DAYS. WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU HAVE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN OFF THE ENGINE, OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR AND WAIT A FEW MORE MINUTES BEFORE IT CAN BE STARTED AGAIN. A WARNING LIGHT IS LEFT ON FOR ~25 MILES. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON ALL ELECTRIC. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS FAILURE ONCE THE MAIN BATTERY IS DISCHARGED AND THE ENGINE IS RUNNING ON GAS.

NHTSA ODI 10993064

OEM ELECTRIC CHARGER (A SEPARATE MECHANISM NOT A PART OF THE VEHICLE) CAUGHT FIRE UPON PLUGGING IT INTO A SOCKET (SAME CHARGER, SAME SOCKET HAS BEEN USED FOR OVER 3 YEARS)

NHTSA ODI 10992964

REAR (HATCHBACK) LATCH FAILS TO RELEASE RESULTING IN A DOOR WILL NOT OPEN CONDITION. BECAUSE THE LATCH RELEASE WAS ACTIVATED, DRIVING OR ROAD VIBRATION MAY CAUSE THE DOOR TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY AND EJECT CARGO WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. HATCHBACK FAILS TO OPEN AFTER ELECTRONIC RELEASE IS ACTIVATED AND MUST BE "JIGGLED" TO OPEN. HATCHBACK LATER OPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. REAR DOOR IS NOT COVERED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V643000.

NHTSA ODI 10990550

TODAY, I WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I CHECKED MY PHONE, ANSWERED A TEXT, AND THEN STARTED THE CAR. AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR, THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARD - EVEN WHEN I HAD MY FOOT COMPLETELY PRESSED VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (I PANICKED BECAUSE HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE DID NOT PREVENT ME FROM ROLLING BACKWARD). THE CAR DID NOT STOP ROLLING BACKWARD UNTIL I HIT THE CEMENT BARRIER ON THE CURB, BECAUSE IT PREVENTED ME FROM CONTINUING TO ROLL BACKWARD. I WAS THEN ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THEN I DROVE OFF. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT IT HAS HAPPENED. THE STREET I WAS ON WAS SLIGHTLY AT AN INCLINE - IT WAS NOT A STEEP HILL BUT THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCLINE.

NHTSA ODI 10983787

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT KNEE AND LOWER BACK, AND BURNS TO THE FOREARM. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE AND WRIST, AND BURNS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10980119

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