Research · Large Cars

2013 Ford Cmax HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 298 owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Cmax Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (98) and steering (53). The EPA rates it 40 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
40mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
298
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2013 Ford Cmax Hybrid as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

298 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2013 – Mar 2026
  1. Electrical system98
  2. Steering53
  3. Power train51
  4. Engine31
  5. Structure25
  6. Service brakes14
  7. Latches/locks/linkages13
  8. Vehicle speed control11
  9. Fuel/propulsion system10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cmax Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013298
2014106
201545
201614
201722
201810
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

98 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated that on several occasions, while the vehicle was parked, it failed to start. The vehicle was jump-started on several occasions but needed to be towed occasionally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with battery failure. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The dealer suggested that a waiver be signed for the battery replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced electrical failures. The instrument panel intermittently malfunctioned, and the turn signals failed to operate properly. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,463.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2026Electrical systemODI 11719818

Steering

53 reports1 crash
“While driving car, power steering will fail and deactivate leaving the steering extremely heavy and manual. Can happen at any speed, and has happened on the interstate at highway speeds. Information cluster states, "power steering fault - service power steering immediately" When this happens it is highly unsafe and happens instantly without warning. Makes getting the car off the road and stopped safely very difficult and dangerous. Stopping the car, turning it off fully and restarting seems to clear the fault and makes the car power steering operate as normal again. But this has happened many times since owning the car and I can find no reason when or why it gets triggered. Online searches find many other owners of this car describing the exact same issue and they share the same concerns about it being unsafe.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2025SteeringODI 11662849

Power train

51 reports
“The contact's wife owns a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated there was an abnormal hissing and crackling sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that there were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2024Power trainODI 11624737
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
C-MAX Hybrid FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
423740$1,550229
  • C-MAX Hybrid FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    42 city · 37 hwy · $1,550/yr
    40
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Ford CMAX Hybrid 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 7482
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Cmax Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Cmax Hybrid have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 2013 Ford Cmax Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 298 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (98), steering (53), power train (51). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Ford Cmax Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Ford Cmax Hybrid at 40 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2013 Ford Cmax Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Ford Cmax Hybrid 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026