Body problems of the 2013 Ford C-max

14 problems related to body have been reported for the 2013 Ford C-max. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2013 Ford C-max based on all problems reported for the 2013 C-max.

1 Body problem

Failure Date: 03/30/2026

The rear impact bar is completely disintegrated and is falling off of the subframe due to extreme rust. There is either no or very little amount of rust on the entirety of the rest of the vehicle. The impact bar is either manufactured with incorrect materials or is otherwise defective. The impact absorber is attached to the impact bar and due to the integrity of the impact bar being destroyed, the crumple zone in the rear of the vehicle will not work as intended and the safety systems would not perform as intended. The impact absorber is not sitting correctly as attached to the impact bar and major portions of the impact bar are missing due to extreme rust. This is currently available for inspection but is going to be repaired soon. A review of forums, like reddit, online reveal that other owners of this generation of cmax have had rusted out impact bars in the rear and have failed state safety inspection. This vehicle was never in an accident.

2 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2022

Lift gate opens randomly when vehicle is off.

3 Body problem

Failure Date: 07/30/2020

My door latches broke for second time, in two year. Ford say it is my problem, because repairs were done.

4 Body problem

Failure Date: 06/10/2020

The driver's rear door lock does not close the door. The car was returned to the service on a previous call related to locks. The work was reportedly done. After observing the wear of the lock elements, it looks like they are original locks. Maybe the dealer charged the car manufacturer for the repair and never replaced the locks with the correct ones. I am afraid to use the car when the back door does not close.

5 Body problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2019

The inner door panel on both rear doors warps and sticks to the bottom of the door frame making it impossible to open the rear doors. The only option from Ford was to replace both door panels which cost $400 each + labor. Ford is aware of this issue specifically on the 2013 model but has not issued a recall.

6 Body problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2019

My rear passenger's door latch on the driver's side is not working properly. It is keeping the door closed but not even to lock the door. When I lock the doors with the key fob it beeps twice which would indicate a door is not closed properly and is not securely locked. Although on the dash it is not indicating a door is not closed.

7 Body problem

Failure Date: 10/30/2019

Tl- the contact owns a 2013 Ford C-max hybrid. The contact indicated that the vehicle was being towed by a 2009 itasa winnebago motor home and while accelerating from a stop sign the front end of the vehicle separated from the frame of the vehicle. During the incident the vehicle was destroyed and towed away. Upon inspection it was discovered that the front end bolts had fractured. The cause of the failure was not determined. No police report was taken. The local dealer forest city Ford(745 us-69 directions, forest city, IA) and the manufacturer(cas 24758793-bgl8yo was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 57,000. Jft.

8 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/12/2019

Car, parked in driveway, failed to start because of a dead battery. Hood latch in vehicle failed to work (after being replaced once <1 year before). Could not open hood to access dead battery. Had car towed to dealer. Dealer was unable to open the hood. Was advised by dealer that hood cannot be opened without breaking front grill and paying for extensive repair. If hood handle malfunctions, there is no secondary access to open the hood. Repairs cost in excess of $1300 to replace hood latch cable assembly ($200) and the hood latch handle ($60), as well a the repair of body damage incurred by body shop breaking the grill to access the hood latch. Vehicle was unavailable for use for 22 days. Product defect: hood latch is prone to failure and not accessible during emergency. If pull handle breaks in car, hood cannot be opened without major body damage. No access from under or front of car is available. Expensive damage must be done to the vehicle, then repaired due to this design flaw.

9 Body problem

Failure Date: 10/22/2018

I went to open the hatch of my 2013 Ford cmax hybrid and the latch completely came off. It was dangling by the license plate lights cords. I had to put packing tape on it until I got home. I called the dealer and he said to bring the car in. There is no reason why that part should have came off when I went to lift the hatch open. Then I got the warning light that the hatch was not closed. So I had to figure out how to open up the broken lift in order to get the hatch shut. The car was parked when I went to open the hatch.

10 Body problem

Failure Date: 07/31/2018

When we arrived home from a short drive, the driver side, rear passenger door would only open 4 or 5 inches. After passenger exited (another door) we tried again. Sitting in the passenger seat when attempting to open it, this time it opened only an inch. It appears the inside panel is loose and is preventing hinge from operating.

11 Body problem

Failure Date: 06/18/2018

Car electronics will not shut off. Radio remains on continuously, even with keys removed and doors locked. No chimes to indicate if car is on/off. At other times, car navigation and electronic systems will fail. Failures and non-response can happen while in motion. Radio not turning off after engine off and parked.

12 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/26/2018

Rear hatchback latch fails to release. Driver can hear the latch motor activating while driving and door unexpectedly opened while driving which could result in ejecting cargo while the vehicle is in motion. After pulling over and closing the hatchback, it fails to re-open, stuck again, and the process starts all over. Dealership says motor and latch system for the hatch-back is faulty and needs replacing, and issued me a rental car for 3-5 days. They said it wasn't safe for me to drive it. Luckily I happen to have an extended warranty however because this is a safety issue I'm reporting it. I've had latch problems with the side doors in the past, however those were fixed after a recall. Side doors have some latching issues that continue but have not opened unexpectedly while driving like the hatchback.

13 Body problem

Failure Date: 03/26/2017

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.

14 Body problem

Failure Date: 04/30/2016

The rear hatch becomes unlatched when a bump in the road, even a small raised one, is driven over. I have informed the local dealer of this. The hatch door does not fully unhinge to open.


Other Structure related problems of the 2013 Ford C-max


C-max Service Bulletins
C-max Defect Investigations