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I recently read that NHTSA.GOV has webpages of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) specific to vehicle year, manufacturer, and model. However, I didn't find them easily and emailed the webmaster for help. The reply states: "To look up Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) which are known as Manufacturer Communications on our website go to NHTSA | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration click on the Recalls tab. Enter your vehicle's Year Make and Model, then click Search. Under the vehicle information, you will see a section for Manufacturer Communications click the Blue number. There you will find the Manufacturer Communications that have been issued for that year, make, and model." There is no search function for finding TSBs that are relevant to a particular vehicle problem on the NHTSA website. Therefore, I created a file which contains a brief description of the subject of each TSB for 2013 Ford CMAXs and the URL of the TSB. It can be searched for keywords by loading the file into any document software that has a search function. The file is attached for those who would care to use it to help diagnose the cause of CMAX problems. (Many of the TSBs were issued for a broad range of model years. (Although the NHTSA website has separate web pages for CMAX Energi models, many of the TSBs in my CMAX file also cover the CMAX Energi model.) In addition to the TSBs, the NHTSA website also provides webpages of complaints from owners about vehicles of specific year, manufacturer, and model. In the case of the 2013 Ford CMAX, a few failure modes were the subject of a large number of complaints. Among these is unexpected discharge of the 12 volt battery, which I have experienced repeatedly, and which a local Ford dealership has been unable to cure, notwithstand billing me hundreds of dollars for trying. Had I all the information available from NHTSA to show them, I suspect that at least I could have avoided paying the dealership for reprogramming all CMAX's module firmware, and perhaps been able to point them is a direction that would have led to success. (My workaround is to carry a voltmeter and 12V SLA "jumpstart" battery in the vehicle which I can use if stranded in a location where I can't plug in my battery charger.) 2013 FORD CMAX Technical Service Bulletin URLs & Brief Descriptions - NHTSA.GOV.txt

I have one of the early 2013 SEL's with about 67k on the odometer. I love this car and outside of having to replace the backup camera (under extended warranty) have had no problems. I'd really like to keep it a few more years. However, the issue with 2013 transmissions failing has me wondering... I called Ford and they said they're not going to replace the tranny (I guess unless it fails) under the extended warranty. If this was a design flaw why didn't they do a recall? In any case, they looked up by VIN # and there was nothing re the transmission. Have all of the early 2013 transmissions been failing, or just some? I thought they had all been built in the same factory. Has anyone gotten Ford to replace this before it fails?

Hi all, I've had my C-Max for about a month now and was loving the MPG - I was typically getting around 42 on most trips. Shorter trips I could commonly pull off 50+. I tried plugging in an Alexa auto to the central console 12v port and found that I was getting significantly less efficient MPG. I unplugged Alexa after a day because I did not think it was worth the sacrifice, but I am still getting lower MPG. I haven't been able to top 40. Since that day, it just seems as though the car is more hesitant to kick into EV as I drive. Am I crazy? Has anyone else experienced issues from having an accessory that is plugged in all the time? Did I do something weird and how can I fix it? Thanks!

So happy to have found this forum. I am seriously considering buying a very low-mileage 2013 SEL Hybrid (1-owner 22,000 miles) and am looking for some advice. I have found both good and bad reviews of this car. Most issues seem to be of an electrical nature, and my question is this: If buying a 2013, have most of the issues that plagued that year been fixed through updates? I have never purchased a Ford before and have only owned Subarus my whole life. I really need a reliable car first and foremost. So is it safe to assume that most of the kinks that accompanied the 2013 c-max have already been addressed or do you think they have a real reliability problem? Thanks so much in advance for any information. Just trying to make an informed decision before I head to the used car dealer. -BS

Hello all! I am new to this forum tomorrow me and my wife will be picking up our used 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid SE with 70,300 miles on it. I have done a few extensive test drives on the car so far and had a few tech friends look at it as well it is pretty well sound. We are getting it from a bigger Honda dealer as it was a trade in we are getting it before tax and title $7,995 which i think is a really good price myself given the dealership offers lifetime warranty on anything lubricated, motor, transmission internal parts ect. As long as the recommend manufactured maintenance is performed by somewhere that keep digital copy. Also to the fact that it is still under ford hybrid 8y/100,000 mile warranty. I have seen some reports of the eCVT going out around 100,000 warranty can anyone point me in the right direction as to signs or symptoms or sounds they experienced and what clued you into knowing it was the transmission, did you have issues getting ford or whom ever to replace what was the experience? This being our first hybrid and I have done a ton of research in the past 2-3 weeks which is how long the car has been on hold for us. Any other comments concerts, what to look for while buying this car would be superb and appreciated. Thanks!!!

Hello everyone... Just a week into my new ownership of a used 2013 Ford C-Max SEL in tri-metallic White with 65K on her. Love it. Traded in my beloved 2009 BMW 750Li.... after 12 BMW's I decided to go for something different. Still have a BMW X5 that the wife drives. The Experience is a bit different. I love the fact of geekdom on the dashboard despite the older version of My Ford Touch. Had no problems as of yet. Getting used to it without reading the manual. Started to poke around and set stations for AM and FM. Sirius seems to be activated as I can ask for specific channels Not sure how long that will last. I never discussed it at trade in. I started to think about hybrids and brought home a 2012 PriusV trim 5 test ride to have the wife look at. She HATED it. Too low to enter without banging her head and noticed the cheaper looking interior. Then tried a Honda Civic 2015 - she came outside and just said NO! So I scoured the internet and found the one I bought. I never even HEARD of a Ford C-Max until 2 days before. We both watched videos of them on YouTube and decided to try one. Found a dealer about 25 miles away - Dealer and sales guy said go, take it home and have wife look. She loved it! Went back and did all the paperwork and off I go! Getting avg 40.1 MPG on my 15.1 commute each way to work. Some highway on weekends for my wedding filming work so It will be a gas sipper and saver for the wallet from the behemoth 14-22 MPG 750Li I had. Love the "leaves" and the ability to switch things up on the dash. Voice commands work pretty well. Still not accessed everything I want. Navigation had some issues as the address seemed to not be available or the house address not able to be entered. Used my suction cup windshield GPS as a backup. One thing I miss is the HUD I had. Over it! I can use the window GPS for that if I feel like it. After a week of driving it I have yet to even see one on the road....until this morning. Same color as mine! I have the 302A package, Pano roof. Does not have the Parallel parking. Not living in the city makes this a non issue. Being a smaller car - I am sure I can park it myself anyway if needed. Also Remote Start. BMW's do not have that at all! Love the hatchback. Easier to load all my gear. Have the automated hatch opening and backup camera too. I do notice the cabin is a LOT nosier than the BMW's I have had. Tires on the road and lack of sound proofing. Not complaining. I hear the cars on the driver door whooshing by and thought a window was down or the door not shut. My other rides are a BMW X5 and a Honda Goldwing. Cheers. Joe (DUCK) Elgin IL

I am about to purchase a Ford C-Max, but I'm torn between two choices and would like some insight. My first choice is a Platinum White 2015 SE with 16,000 miles WITHOUT a touchscreen at $16,300. The 2nd choice is a 2013 Ice Storm SE WITH a touchscreen at $14,900. The Ice Storm has a tiny dent and a small paint chip on the passenger side. Which do you think is the wiser choice? Is the lack of a touchscreen kind of a deal-breaker?