2013 Ford C-Max steering problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 8, 2025FLSteering

   Steering stopped working but after restarted it began to work again. It was fine for a few days and then DTC came up indicating "Service Power Steering" and the power steering has quit working.

   NHTSA complaint #11685718 · source
2. Filed May 23, 2025CASteering

   While driving car, power steering will fail and deactivate leaving the steering extremely heavy and manual. Can happen at any speed, and has happened on the interstate at highway speeds. Information cluster states, "power steering fault - service power steering immediately" When this happens it is highly unsafe and happens instantly without warning. Makes getting the car off the road and stopped safely very difficult and dangerous. Stopping the car, turning it off fully and…

   NHTSA complaint #11662849 · source
3. Filed Nov 30, 2024UTSteering

   Got a “Power steering assist fault” message on the screen. It was very hard to steer the wheel. The case on the wheel was turning around it. Managed to drive 3 more miles to the dealership. A lot of other ford models have same issues, even under 50.000 miles. And many of the are in recall program, but not 2013 ford c-max. Can’t afford 3.400$ price for fixing it at the dealership. I’m a second owner, bought it for 5.000 , 3 years ago. At least it didn’t stuck completely, and…

   NHTSA complaint #11628031 · source
4. Filed Dec 13, 2023INSteering

   On the morning of 12/13/23 I got in my car to go to work. Upon starting my car the warning light for service power steering came on. I noticed the car was very hard to steer when existing my drive way. I drove the car back into my neighborhood to see if it was safe to drive in traffic. The steering was so tight and steering wheel would fight me wanting to return to center. With the fault code still present I went home and inspected the steering system and hooked up my scan…

   NHTSA complaint #11559895 · source
5. Filed Mar 23, 2023FLSteering

   I went to change lanes and all of a sudden the steering became difficult. I thought the car had lost power, but it was only the steering. The sudden loss came as a surprise and did cause me to loose control momentarily during the lane change. Shortly thereafter a warning light came on indicating the power steering needed to be serviced. I was able to arrive at my destination safely, but power steering was completely out. Upon restarting the car the problem went away.…

   NHTSA complaint #11513341 · source
6. Filed Nov 10, 2022CASteering

   I started the car and could not move the steering wheel without great great effort. “Power steering failure” notice appeared on dashboard.

   NHTSA complaint #11493138 · source
7. Filed Oct 29, 2022CASteering

   Steering warning light came on after driving away from home. Power Steering failed, no possible way to move steering wheel. Powered vehicle off. Next day, steering worked and took vehicle to Ford Dealer. Upon inspection by Dealer, the steering gear failed and needs to be replaced. Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles driven. In my opinion, this is a manufacturing issue that Ford needs to review and possibly recall. This could have been very serious had the failure occurred…

   NHTSA complaint #11491415 · source
8. Filed Feb 26, 2022CASteering

   I started my car & put in reverse the service power steering light came on & my steering wheel locked so I put it back in park turned the car off waited a moment & started it again the problem stopped. I then got online to troubleshoot & see that there is many complaints about this happening but it worse situations when they were actually driving & almost had an accident due to not being able to steer the vehicle. Now I'm scared it will happen when I'm driving next time.…

   NHTSA complaint #11454274 · source
9. Filed Jan 1, 2022WASteering

   The message to service the power steering suddenly appeared and the steering wheel could not be rotated, when we were at our drive way. I felt to be very lucky for not being on the road when the loss of power steering occurred. After I turned off the engine and restarted the car one minute later, the power steering problem disappeared and I was able to drive the car again. About one week later, I sent the car to a Ford dealer for inspection. The test result showed the error…

   NHTSA complaint #11445775 · source
10. Filed Dec 15, 2021MISteering

    Was driving my 2013 Ford CMax and heard a noise in the front. I took it to the local Belle Tire and they replaced the upper inner front tirod. Still had issues and heard noise. Took it to a repair facility and they claimed they heard no noise. Two weeks later my Steering assist warning light came on and I lost all steering capabilities. Luckily I was not injured. Ford has recalls for this same issue on other years and models. Due to the severity of this problem and possible…

    NHTSA complaint #11443946 · source
11. Filed Aug 25, 2021ORSteering

    After making a stop at a rest stop traveling from Portland, OR to The Dalles, OR, when we got back into the car and started it, a warning light came on saying “service power steering. See your dealer.” From that point forward, we had no power steering and had to drive home that way. We know after doing research that Ford has a recall (15S18) for this exact problem but because there weren’t as many CMax vehicles sold, they did not include it. We had to drive home almost 60…

    NHTSA complaint #11430558 · source
12. Filed Apr 4, 202176,600 miPABrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

    Turned the car on in a parking lot and saw the check engine light was on. Had totally lost power steering and acceleration, and braking was extremely difficult. Rolled down the parking lot and was able to stop the car with the parking brake and turn it off. Turned it back on and the power steering and brakes and accelerator were back. Drove the car home and tried turning it on and off a few more times. Power steering seems to be completely gone. Check engine light is on.

    NHTSA complaint #11406320 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology