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Chart based on 65 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2013 Ford C-MAX 4dr Hatch
141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid CVT FWD
108000 mi
Charging port led circle failed. Ford replaced under warranty.
137000 mi
US $60
Replaced both front headlights and lower passenger fog light
111000 mi
US $50
Horn was not operational and dealer quoted over $600 to repair. Verified 12V present at horn terminals. Used FORSCAN tool to verify that horn was being commanded. Purchased horn from local Ford dealer online parts site for < $50, replaced horn, verified repair. Actual replacement takes 10 minutes. I suspect that when vehicle was at dealer (for routine maintenance) they had diagnosed the failed component and knew it was a simple, cheap repair but quoted for a complex repair.
134670 mi
Requested estimate to perform repair for TSB 17-0015, inspection and repair of wire chafing near the high voltage battery, following appearance of DTC U3012 and intermittent electrical anomolies with console message that systems are shutting down to preserve battery. Under emissions warranty, this service requires 1.7 or 1.8 hours of labor and minimal parts to rewrap chafed wire. The connector is located under the back seat, under the shield covering the HV battery. Requested estimate for non-warranty TSB service. Dealer quoted $875 (4 hours labor @195). Declined service, as the labor estimate is unreasonable. I am trained to work on HV systems, and I will do the repair myself.
137323 mi
US $210
12V battery needed jump start three times in the same day, then a few days later, battery was dead and would not take a jump start and showed a voltage around 3V at the jump terminals. This Motorcraft battery was 3 years and 1 month old, replaced by the dealer in Feb. 2020. I decided to do the battery replacement myself. Upon access to the battery, I found the battery compartment to be about 1/3 full of clear liquid, apparently water (neutral pH). This must be a new situation because there was not yet corrosion of metal components. I used a transfer pump to remove most of the water then cleaned with baking soda and rinsed with water to neutralize any acid. I opened the cell that was not covered with paper, and the electrolyte was low, which may explain the low voltage. Replaced Motorcraft battery with Diehard Gold Group 67R. The battery ventilation tube fitting was broken; I don't know if it was already that way or if it broke when I removed the old battery. Purchased replacement vent tube, part FV6Z-10A818-A, for about $10. The Diehard came with a plug for the other battery vent (as the vent tube vents only one side), but I transferred the plug from the old battery. Before installing the battery, I drilled a hole in the bottom of the battery compartment and epoxied a small tube into the hole to drain the battery compartment. This will also give a visual indication upon inspection of whether fluid is present in the battery compartment. I found a long wrench loose to the left of the battery compartment, evidently from the dealer's battery service February 2020. Fortunately I have not made any sharp left turns in the past 3 years. So happy that I decided not to take the car to the dealer for this battery replacement, given several concerning issues. I have decided to inspect the 12V battery every few months for electrolyte levels, signs of leakage, condition of terminals, etc. After installing the new battery, performed the BMS reset using Forscan. When charging the HV battery, capacity has increased from 11 mi to 17 mi since the reset. Finally, the 96R battery spec in the owner's manual is WRONG. That battery is too long to fit in the compartment.
1500 mi
Issue with rear liftgate
22000 mi
Wrench icon showed up for high voltage issue
11500 mi
Sync system would no longer display name of artist or radio station tuned to accurately. They replaced head unit under warranty.
2300 mi
electrical lift gate switch/latch replaced
34000 mi
US $250
Repair 12 volt charging system software. Performed TSB to update all modules and inspect wiring
60000 mi
Sync system inoperative - intermittent
16000 mi
Airbag module failure. Two weeks to get parts
20700 mi
Vehicle odometer no longer accurately accounting for electric vehicle miles. According the Ford, the odometer is still counting overall miles so it is fine. Dashboard dimmer fails to retain user settings. Dealer applied SSM 44699 update to gauge cluster. Update failed to fix the issue.
26900 mi
Dashboard dimmer fails to retain user settings. Dealer replaced the gauge cluster and applied software updates. Repair failed to fix issue so the customer was told "You're going to just have to deal with it." 12 volt battery could not hold a charge. Dealer at first claimed that they tested the battery/charging system and that everything was OK. Vehicle would not start when customer returned for pick-up. Battery was replaced under warranty.
44000 mi
Reverse camera working intermittently, camera was replaced
6000 mi
Outside temp sensor wasn't working. Dealer diagnosed that sensor had gotten wet. Sensor was dried and reinstalled. No parts replaced.
41000 mi
US $12
Bulb plug burnt out.
11000 mi
Battery that starts gas engine and powers doors and interior electronics died
56525 mi
US $150
New battery needed. Car had to be jump-started on a few occasions. No warning showed up, had to take the car in to get it diagnosed.
15000 mi
US $260
Ford radio was freezing on screen; apparently needed a deep reset. Also, two recall repairs were carried out.
73000 mi
US $200
Small 12v battery needed replacement after five years
90000 mi
US $130
Car was dead and had to be jumped. Tested 12v battery and replaced.
Replace 12v battery (hard to find compact battery).
41000 mi
Horn wasn't working and was replaced.
31000 mi
GPS showed vehicle off roadway. Dealer reprogrammed GPSM module with latest calibration from Ford. Fixed issue
28000 mi
Courtesy FoMoCo notification of problems with vehicle not starting after extended non-op. New battery installed, 3 systems flashed.
14000 mi
System had a glitch in the computer software that had to be reprogrammed. Also had a seatbelt sensor that was not functioning properly. The days were because had to wait for a replacement part. They gave me a new loaner car during that time.
51000 mi
US $852
Rear view camera failed. Camera replaced.
21515 mi
US $152
12-volt battery replaced after 5 years. 'Low battery' noted several times on the audio system dashboard display. No problems starting car, primarily replaced for preventive maintenance.
50000 mi
US $179
Kick sensor to open back hatch, not working
91000 mi
US $60
Upon performing a software update, the dealer rendered the touchscreen unusable. Dealer refused to accept responsibility and presented owner with an $1100 repair estimate. Owner secured a used replacement part for $60 and installed it.
52439 mi
US $18
Left, front turn signal bulb. I was in and out in about fifteen minutes and the labor was $11.50. I wish I would have watched because the procedure description that I read sounded difficult.
GPS module had to be replaced, she never knew where she was. Back hatch had to be worked on so it would latch properly.
50800 mi
US $100
ac /heater fan malfunction
40000 mi
US $120
Ford My-Touch voice controls stopped working. Took to dealer and service adviser suggested I make a service appointment to fix. She didn't bother to tell me I could do a "system hard re-boot" myself, which is all the dealer service tech did.
35000 mi
US $50
12v battery was unexpectedly dead overnight. Bought a charger and charged it and it's fine. Second time the unexpected dead battery has happened in 9 months.
41000 mi
US $250
USB port and 110V outlet inside the car were nonfunctional and were fixed.
50000 mi
Car has had intermittent problems being dead in the morning. 12V accessory battery was previously replaced so unsure if this is a different system or not.
45000 mi
We found the car without power one morning. 2 day previously the radio had stopped working. The car was able to start with jumper cables, and was taken to the shop. "Nothing wrong" was the diagnosis, but "perhaps the SYNC system did not turn off, draining the primary battery overnight". Car seems fine now.
27160 mi
Sync system would not work in heat.
8000 mi
A/C vent close lever was sunken into dash and hard to turn. Update to MFT Hand-free liftgate doesn't always open on first kick. Navigation sometimes has me several feet off from my current location.
10000 mi
GPS shows me off location sometimes. Very loud. GPS shows me several feet away.
12300 mi
Door chime recall. Chime doesn't sound when door opens.
Battery dead. On-board computer had to be reprogrammed.
Dealer performed according to the invoice:
under Recall13B07, 13B07B Reprogram the Powertrain Control Module
Recall13B12, 13B12B Check Battery with GR-1, Reprogram FCDIM
8000 mi
Defective air bag module. Restraint control module replaced. Sensor asembly - air bag replaced.
12000 mi
3rd dead battery. Also dealer did recall work.
23517 mi
US $100
Door ajar light came on when there was no problem due to bad part installed for recall on door latch issue.
2000 mi
Radio presets went away. Clock time had to be reset every couple days. Had to replace chip when the original one would not accept a reflash.
3000 mi
MY FORD SYNC AND NAVIGATION UPDATED. COMPUTER UPGRADE.
18000 mi
Lift gate did not function from sensor, two trips. One to diagnose and second when parts came in. Replaced sensor and related module. AUDIO OFF MESSAGE COMES AND GOES AWAY IN MINUTES TO HOURS,MANY FAILURES TWO DEALERS, PROB NOT FOUND. COULD NOT DUPLICATE. COMPLAINT FILED WITH FORD MOTOR CO. NOT REPAIRED. SOFTWARE UPDATES AND MASTER REBOOT DID NOT SOLVE
27000 mi
Since purchase I've had and reported many incidents of AUDIO OFF message and nothing works. Always No trouble found and the system would work for a while then fail. This trip they replaced the audio module and no failures for three weeks!
10000 mi
Experienced dead battery: easily jump started, dealer unable to determine/replace. Audio system freeze-up when parked in sun, dealer unable to resolve at this time.
12000 mi
Replaced defective Audio Control Module
21000 mi
Audio fails to start occasionally, reprogrammed module.
23000 mi
Defective module replaced.
4000 mi
Rear left gate would not always open with foot/kick sensor
10000 mi
Primary Controller Module that runs the hybrid efficiency needed a software update to improve fuel economy.
2500 mi
battery replaced
3000 mi
a/c didn't work; condenser replaced.
8000 mi
sync not recognizing phonebook
The Instrument Panel created a slow drain on the 12VDC battery causing the car to require being jump started in the morning. The dealership replaced the IP and installed a new 12VDC battery to correct the issue.
2000 mi
Update MySync to new version. Foot-activated liftgate doesn't always open.
15300 mi
12 volt battery test and module software update
16000 mi
Battery dead multiple times. Car stereo came on by itself after car was off without key in ignition. Ford replaced stereo button, applied 3 computer program updates and replaced battery to fix problems.
17700 mi
Car was dead in driveway - not even enough juice for the dome light. Jump-started it and drove it to dealer, who implemented a TSB (recall) for this problem, replacing the battery and reflashing the dash computer software.
41000 mi
Recalls to install new firmware to prevent battery drain
MFT was sluggish, freezing, not working at times
The NAV system was not working correctly
3000 mi
MFT was sluggish, freezing, not working at times
The NAV system was not working correctly
3600 mi
MFT was sluggish, freezing, not working at times
The NAV system was not working correctly
5000 mi
MFT was sluggish, freezing, not working at times
The NAV system was not working correctly
MFT Fixed
NAV still not working
19000 mi
Replaced Battery.
17000 mi
The 12v battery appeared to be dead but quickly recharged. Actually it was not dead but the control module had cut it out of the system. I found that giving the system a good 12+ volts revives the module. Dealer could find nothing wrong.
31300 mi
Not sure. Car wouldn't start, towed to dealer. No fault found
35000 mi
Rear automatic hatch would not secure without manually pushing it closed. TSB applied. Door would work properly with interior door button but not with button on door. Car returned to customer this way. Claimed no adjustment possible.
36000 mi
Reported to the second dealer that the automatic hatch would not secure without manually pushing it closed. Replaced entire mechanism. Functions properly now. Both trips took a full day in the shop.
8000 mi
My Ford Touch firmware update to correct system freezes and phone disconnects. Rattles in the front suspension, this is the 3rd time this has been reported to dealer with no successful outcome.
8200 mi
MFT upgraded to v3.5.1, took a week to complete the upgrade.
Rattles in front suspension remain unresolved.
21500 mi
Door chime recall.
28520 mi
CD player skips Navigation screen flickers
9000 mi
navigation system failure. The GPS would track the vehicle incorrectly. Oftentimes the car was 100 yards ahead or to the side of where GPS reported it to be. Dealer updated software and resolved problem.
93000 mi
US $107
Repair Drivers seat warmer.
101000 mi
US $107
Radio stopped working
130000 mi
12v to 110vac inverter replaced, new inverter made similar noise so ordered another one. Waiting for that one to show up
130800 mi
US $122
Replaced Inside temp sensor with micro fan in it. The inverter wasn't the problem.
20000 mi
Main A/C fan was making irregular noises. A/C blower replaced under factory warranty.
29000 mi
Restraints Control Module reprogrammed in accordance with Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 14S21. Test 12-volt battery, inspect wiring, and update software module in accordance with TSB 15B04.
33000 mi
Loud noise from HVAC system at all fan speeds. Same symptoms from a previous repair that required replacement of the HVAC module. Issue not repaired, as car was traded in.
36300 mi
Battery would not hold a charge.
28000 mi
Recalls
4000 mi
There were a few intermittent problems, but a constant issue was the driver's window would reverse if you attempted to roll it up. Dealer checked grounds and reprogrammed the security computer and all problems were fixed.
24300 mi
Clock on Sync screen was wrong and couldn't be set. The clock on the dash worked and could be set fine.
See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how
frequently 2013 Ford C-MAX problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.