Search the Community

I could not find anything regarding the transmission on C-MAX, does it need any maintenance at all?

What is this box and why is it leaking? Are the transmission cooler lines leaking?

And this video shows you the basics of how/where to check the level and add fluid. Use Mercon LV transmission fluid-dealer or AutoZone should have it.

Hi Maddie, yes something is leaking a bit of transmission fluid. A bit hard to tell from the pics but maybe leaking between the two halves of the casing. How long has it been like that and are you seeing drops on the ground after parking at work or home? If you aren’t sure I’d suggest wiping it with a rag then spraying it clean with some non chlorinated brake cleaner you buy ant AutoZone type store, then monitor. Are you noticing noises or bad shifts when accelerating or decelerating? I’d certainly suggest you check your fluid level. You do that by removing the plug on the side of the transmission housing from inside the left front wheel well. See my post in this thread for some additional info.

I have 2013 cmax hybrid, 137k miles. I love it, but I now have diagnosis/estimate for transmission replacement of $13,000. Is this job normal at this mileage? And is cost reasonable? Car works fine except for low level whining sound. How urgent is fix?

I just got a 2013 C-Max Energy plug-in hybrid 5 days ago. I am looking to change all the fluids and filters since I don't know the previous maintenance history of the vehicle. I got everything but I am needing to rely on Advance Auto parts to tell me what type of DOT 4 brake fluid the vehicle needs, the guy handed me a bottle of high mileage Dot 4 fluid and said any Dot 4 brake fluid will work. Then on Amazon I found some Transmission oil which was listed as compatible with my vehicle, Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF (6 Liters) LIQUI MOLY. Is this correct?

Ford just dropped this massive recall, including all domestic C-Max Energi/Hybrids (2013-2018). You can look up your VIN on Ford's web site or nhtsa.gov and confirm this recall is listed (it was for me as of this morning). Parts are not available yet. When they are Ford will proactively contact customers to schedule the repair. Parts are expected in the 4th quarter of this year. Here's the text: Jun 10,2022 Manufacturer Recall Number22S43 NHTSA Recall Number#awaiting Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING IS DAMAGED OR MISSING. Safety Risk A DAMAGED OR MISSING BUSHING COULD PREVENT THE SHIFTER FROM MOVING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE INTENDED GEAR POSITION AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION. THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT BE IN THE PARK POSITION, EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER POSITION INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO PARK. EXITING A VEHICLE WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND WITHOUT APPLICATION OF THE PARKING BRAKE MAY ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR CRASH. Remedy FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH ITS SUPPLIERS TO PRODUCE PARTS FOR THIS REPAIR. WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOTIFY YOU VIA MAIL TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR DEALER FOR REPAIRS TO BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE PARTS AND LABOR. PARTS ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE AVAILABLE 4TH QTR 2022. and here's the first page of a dealer letter about it (shamelessly copied from a post at fordedgeforum.com):

Probably front wheel bearings. They typically get quite warm/hot when failing. Carefully feel around the wheel hub for unusual warmth. But I'm surprised you didn't notice any noise when you did the brake work. I too hope it's not the transmission. Cheers.

Wheel bearings, hope it's not the transmission.

Did you ever figure this out? I'm getting ABS warnings, stiff power steering, no speedometer issues. This after replacing front bearings, transmission mount, and wiper reservoir.

Did you ever figure this out? I'm getting ABS warnings, stiff power steering, no speedometer issues. This after replacing front bearings, transmission mount, and wiper reservoir.

A government lab has been doing long-term tests of many EV cars including 4 2013 C-max. They log all service and repairs. Three out of the four have required transmission replacement between 90k and 116k miles, with an average cost of around $4000. Other service has been negligible in comparison. Here are selected data and link to the page of pdf's. Long term repair experience with four 2013 C-max. Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity - Idaho National Laboratory https://avt.inl.gov/vehicle-button/2013-ford-c-max VIN# 1FADP5AU1DL528698 116k replaced transmission $3989 116k replace right hub bearing $252 127k tires (first replaced 60k) and front-end alignment 130k repair window track VIN# 1FADP5AU0DL535139 90k replaced transmission $4383 130k replaced 3 tires VIN# 1FADP5AU9DL535138 73k replaced 12V battery $166 77k replaced 4 tires 77k front end alignment 110k serviced transmission 155k replaced two tires VIN# 1FADP5AU0DL532158 70k replaced 3 tires 81k replaced 12V battery 100k serviced transmission 110k replaced transmission $3889 130k replaced two tires and aligned front end

Ford workers break silence

I only have 38,192 miles on my 2013 C-Max and the transmission needs to be replaced😵!!! Started hearing the loud noise others have mentioned, asked my repair shop to check it out. Of course this is after the 10yr extended warranty has expired and I barely drive the car since retiring. I had all of the required maintenance and recalls handled by the dealer but I can't help thinking they didn't do their job. My repair shop will try to find a replacement but the cost is going to be as much as the car it worth at this point! UGH! So much for my retirement car!

My 2013 Ford CMAX with 130,000 miles on it now has a very loud whine whenever gas engine is on. If it goes electric only, the whine disappears. Ford dealer wants $1400.00 to open it up and inspect if, they think it is transmission. To replace transmission is $8,400.00 parts and labor. Car is worth $5,200. Could I find someone to replace transmission with a rebuilt one (rebuilt trans is $2,700) Thoughts?

I have 104,800 on my 2014 c-max. Runs great but has a lot of transmission noise:(

Aloha to All, I live in Hawaii and recently bought a 2013 C Max from a used car lot. It was on special because the car makes noises when the gas motor kicks in. The mechanic stated that it was a Generator issue and not a transmission issue. They said that the car should last another few years before the transmission would need to be replaced at a cost estimated to be upwards of $5,000. Apparently the Transmission is a "Sealed Unit" and to eliminate the noise of the generator, I would have to replace the entire assembly. I got the car for $2900. So far it is extremely reliable and I am getting nearly 40mpg. As I brake, the battery reloads as expected. Whenever I am in gear and the gas engine kicks in, there is a noticeable humm, like the sound of a circular saw, but it is not too loud (as in the volume of a screeching belt or power steering going bad) and the car operates perfectly. Can anyone comment on the longevity as described by the dealer? Am I in for headaches soon? I Humbly ask for your opinions....

Could be the tranny. What year and model is your CMax and how many miles? Early models (~2013-14) used a suspect bearing in the transmission.

I just got it back from ford and they said they can’t pinpoint the noise and suggested it was from the transmission….

If you are in park (in your case with the gas engine running), is the sound present? If yes, it’s not the transmission per TSB 19-2391.

Your transmission fluid is Motorcraft Mercon LV (low viscosity) ATF and you’ll need 5 quarts for a drain and fill. You can buy the Mercon LV fluid at AutoZone. Your brake fluid is Motorcraft DOT 4 LV high performance brake fluid. See pages 351-353 at the link below and pay attention to the notes 1 & 3 on page 353. https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/13cmhom3e.pdf

The transmission on my 2013 CMax is original. That old part was original. I believe the only thing they change out on this recall is that slightly orangish looking plastic bushing and replace it with a new one (and cover it with a cap to make it last longer). I’m sure when new it should be a whitish cream color (similar to the color of the new protective cap), but over the years fades from oxidation/heat/cold/grime/etc to the off-orangish color it became in that top pic. Ford used a very similar setup on many of its cars from the 20-teens. When that inner bushing breaks you can’t shift out of the gear you are in. Poor design. My son in law was stranded in the middle of the road after backing out of his drive due to that bushing deciding to break when he tried to shift into drive in his Ford Fusion.

Great pictures. Thanks. Does your car have the original transmission or the replacement? I'm wondering as to when the new part was introduced and thus whether or not those of us that had the transmission replaced might have the updated part. Cheers

I know this is older topic. I just recently drained (~4.4 qts) and refilled (~4.8 qts) my 2013 CMax SEL transmission fluid at 112,000 miles. I purchased 5 Mercon LV qt bottles at AutoZone. I used a gallon/quart pump from harbor freight that screws tight onto these larger mouth quart bottles and pumped/filled through the level plug until full with the car up on my QuickJacks and left front wheel removed. I think you could probably get at the level plug with the steering wheel turned full left and car on ground but I didn’t need to do that. Put the level plug back in and started car up for one minute then shut down and waited five minutes. Then re-loosened the level plug and let some excess fluid drain out until it stopped coming out the level plug. Tightened level plug back up. Put the wheel back on, lowered the QuickJacks, and went for a test drive. Old fluid wasn’t horrible but certainly wasn’t fresh either. Didn’t notice any metal flakes. I even ran a magnet through the old fluid but it was clean when I wiped it off.

Hi all. I need some help. I bought a 2013 Energi 2 weeks ago. All was fine until yesterday. I got the dreaded red triangle. Code POA92. I have the Forscan log if it will help. I shut it off and it restarted and drove home without an issue. It's also noisy with the ice running. Hoping it's not the transmission, which was replaced with the updated unit at 49k. Now at 115k. What do you think I should do?