Selling a broken Ford C-Max Hybrid or Energi

Before you sell, check the shift bushing recall on your VIN and, on a late car, what is left of Ford's hybrid parts coverage. Both are covered below.

Ford's hybrid-only compact

In the US the C-Max was sold only as a hybrid, Ford's first line built that way. The C-Max Hybrid went on sale in September 2012 and the plug-in C-Max Energi in October 2012, both as 2013 models. Every US car was built in Wayne, Michigan, and production ended between September 2017 and mid-2018.

Both versions pair a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four with an electric motor for 188 hp. The Hybrid carries a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery; the Energi carries a 7.6 kWh pack that plugs in. The EPA lists both with a variable-ratio automatic. When Ford announced in April 2018 that it would pull back from cars in North America, the C-Max was on the list of models to go.

The 47 mpg sticker that came down

The 2013 C-Max Hybrid launched with a 47 mpg label for city, highway and combined. EPA tested the car after owners complained they could not reach it. On August 15, 2013, EPA announced revised figures of 43 combined, 45 city and 40 highway, and Ford relabeled the cars voluntarily. EPA's explanation: Ford had based the label on tests of the related Fusion hybrid, which shares the engine and transmission. Fueleconomy.gov now shows the 2013 Hybrid at 40 combined, and the Energi at 88 MPGe on electricity and 38 mpg on gas alone.

Recalls, grouped by what they touch

Shifting and Park. Recall 22V413 is the big one. Its 2,925,968 vehicles take in every C-Max year plus Escape, Fusion, Transit Connect and Edge models. The bushing that ties the shifter cable to the transmission can break down or fall off, so the car may not go into the gear chosen, or may roll after the driver selects Park. Ford's remedy is a new under-hood shift bushing plus a protective cap over the shift cable bushing. Separately, recall 15V436 covers some 2015 C-Max cars built from April 22, 2014 to June 12, 2015 whose engine may keep running after the key or button is turned off. A body control module update fixes it.

Steering, do not drive. Recall 14V514 is small: 508 Focus and C-Max cars from one week of August 2014 (the 8th through the 15th) may have steering gears that were assembled wrong. NHTSA flags it do-not-drive, and the remedy is new steering gears from a Ford dealer.

Air bags. Recall 14V237 reprogrammed the restraint control module on 2013-2014 cars because it could deploy the side-curtain rollover air bag late. Recall 14V597 replaced that module on 2013-2014 C-Max cars built from January 19, 2012 to November 21, 2013. A coating on it can short, so air bags and belt pretensioners may not work.

Doors and seats. Recall 16V643 covers door latches on 2013-2015 cars that can break and leave a door unlatched. Recall 20V331 rechecks latches fixed under earlier campaigns. Recall 14V164 covers loose seatbacks on cars built July 23, 2012 to May 28, 2013.

Smaller campaigns. 18V592 swaps 120-volt charge cords sold with 2013-2015 Energi cars, made without a thermistor and able to overheat. 17V052 covers 17 2016 Focus and C-Max cars whose floor pan may have badly welded left-hand apron joints; dealers inspect and repair as needed. 13V475 fixes a missing door-open chime on 2013 push-button-start cars. 25V695 covers 2015-2016 rearview cameras that go blank or distort.

Service bulletins on the hybrid system

• 13-6-25: 2013 Energi cars built on or before April 15, 2013 that show "Is vehicle plugged-in?" with codes U019B or P0CF7. Modules are reprogrammed.
• 17-0015: 2013-2016 Energi cars that stall or won't crank, with "Stop Safely Now," a lit check-engine lamp and codes U3012 or P0B37 from the battery energy control module.
• 18-2373: some 2013-2017 Energi cars won't charge on Ford's second-generation 120-volt cord. Ford lists it as information only.
• 19-2207: 2013-2017 Hybrid and Energi cars that light the check-engine lamp with P1450, P0456 or P0457. The fix is a new canister purge valve and a PCM update.

Complaints and recalls by model year

NHTSA's files, downloaded October 10, 2026, combine the C-Max and C-Max Energi. Across all years the electrical system is named most (123 complaints), then steering (75) and the power train (65). No NHTSA or Ford document we read ties those to one cause.

One campaign can reach many model years, which is why this column totals more than 12.

Is it worth fixing?

Weigh the shop's quote against the going price for a working C-Max of your year, version and mileage. A quote near that price is a sign to sell this one unrepaired.

1. Recalls first. Look up the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup. The shift bushing, steering and latch repairs cost you nothing at a Ford dealer.
2. Hybrid fault on a late car. Ask a dealer whether the 8-year hybrid parts coverage still applies before you pay for a battery or inverter.
3. Energi that won't charge or start. Bring up bulletins 17-0015 and 18-2373 at the shop.
4. Not sure what yours would bring? See what a junk car is worth, or our page on selling a non-running car.

Getting the C-Max picked up

1. Have ready: the VIN, Hybrid or Energi, the mileage, and the warning lights or symptoms.
2. Request an offer online, or phone (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe where the car sits and whether it moves when pushed. Free pickup anywhere in the US.
4. Keep it whole. The high-voltage battery, wheels and catalytic converter stay. On an Energi, include the charge cord if you still have it. Tell us about anything missing.
5. Paperwork: the title and your photo ID at pickup. No title? See the no-title guide. For plates and insurance, read after you sell.

Other Fords to compare: the Fusion, Escape and Focus, or every Ford we cover.