2013 Ford C-Max: engine stalls while driving

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

Summary of Safety Issue The vehicle repeatedly experiences sudden loss of propulsion while driving, accompanied by a “Stop Safely Now” warning message and various other dashboard warnings . During these events the accelerator pedal becomes completely unresponsive while the vehicle remains powered, indicating a failure of the hybrid propulsion system or high-voltage battery control system. The vehicle and video footage of the failure are available for inspection upon request. Timeline of Events January 13, 2026 – The vehicle displayed a “Stop Safely Now” warning message and lost the ability to accelerate. The vehicle had to be towed to Lehighton Ford. January 21, 2026 – Paid $866.85 for repairs including battery service, Rear Control Module replacement, and PCM harness repair. Lehighton Ford stated the vehicle was repaired and safe to drive. Within minutes of leaving the dealership, the vehicle stalled again in active traffic and had to be returned. The issue was escalated to the Ford Engineering hotline and a Field Service Engineer. February 17, 2026 – The dealership attempted to return the vehicle after performing a BECM reprogramming. Upon pickup, new issues were immediately observed including near-stall conditions and hybrid system malfunction, so the vehicle was left with the dealership again. February 18, 2026 - The owner brought forth concerns about Ford’s Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 17-0015 which identifies potential damage to the traction battery interlock harness as a root cause for intermittent stalling and "Stop Safely Now" warnings. Although the dealership recorded Diagnostic Trouble Code B11D8—a fault directly related to the stall condition—the dealership later stated that no diagnostic codes relevant to the TSB were present and this component was not inspected. February 20, 2026 - Dealership claims that the vehicle has been test-driven for over 100 miles and is “functioning perfectly” and that a ‘battery rebalance’ was causing the issues experie

Filed Oct 18, 2023 · Transmission · VA

I have owned this car for the last 9 years and have kept It well-maintained. For over a year, the car stalls in the midst of driving, even on a highway, leaving me the only option to find a shoulder or safe area to park. After I turn off the engine, wait for a few minutes, and turn it back on, the engine turns on just fine and I am able to drive. Lately (for about a month or so) this has been happening more frequently(every other day, sometimes twice in a short while compared to once every 3-4 weeks). A few months ago I took it to the local Ford dealership and they told me, that they would need to replace the hybrid system, with an estimated cost of $15000, which didn't make any sense as even car is not worth that much. I also called Ford customer service and even they didn't offer much and just told me something to the effect of "tough luck". I came across this post [XXX] which matches exactly with the issue I am experiencing. That particular car owner was able to get the transmission replaced by Ford, under a California law and the issue was resolved. This seems to suggest, that Ford bears the responsibility for this manufacturing fault and they should own up to it. It is not fair that after paying over $35000, for the car, the only options I am given is to either take the risk of a catastrophic accident with the car stalling in the midst of a highway (with no safe place to stop) or just junk the car. I am pleading that your department should make it a required safety recall and Ford should be required to either fix this issue, at no cost to the owners or compensate them fairly for the present value of the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 13, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 125,000 miles · CA

Car will stall and brakes and steering lock up. This has occurred in when pulling into traffic. It always occurs when on a hill. Very dangerous but ford denies any problems. It has occurred since 2014. Last time was as below

Filed Nov 14, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 71,114 miles · MO

I was driving on the highway and the car stalled. Warning light came on that says, stop safely now. The car completely lost power on the highway. I was lucky because that put me in a dangerous situation. Finally got it towed to the dealership and module-engine control. Pcm get too hot and the ignition switch. The car has been in at the dealership since 10.14.20 and has not been fixed and there still is not eta. Part is on backorder. This car has been tag a lemon and it should not be able to be sold. I didn't know this prior to purchasing the vehicle.

Filed Jun 9, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 80,000 miles · DC

While driving, the car stalled and displayed a message that said to slow down and pull over safely. The driver was not able to accelerate. There were no other warning signs prior. This was particularly dangerous because it occurred while driving on a highway.

Filed Mar 31, 2020 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered intermittently after shifting from first gear without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Aug 11, 2019 · Electrical · 58,000 miles · CT

Purchased 2013 cmax used from a car dealer with 39,000 miles on it in 2018. Been driving it for 1.5 years- now has 58,000 miles.. Suddenly warning red triangle appeared with audio alert to stop the car immediately. I was driving on I-95 in the middle lane at 60 MPH. Could feel the car had lost power, able to get to breakdown lane and had the car towed-to dealership. They found "nothing wrong." car returned to me- second incident 3 days later, while turning into shopping center, again, felt the car lose power, red triangle/warning. Stalled in lot- it was a sunday. Turned the car off- when I turned it back on engine warning light was on .I called the ford dealership, and spoke to a sales person who told me it was safe to attempt to drive the car- able to drive it home ( slowly)- then to dealers the next day- warning light still on. Dealership unable to find the root cause of the problem and ford giving limited support to the dealership. Car still in the shop x 1 week- service advisor states it would not be safe for me to take the car until they find the cause because it could do it again at any time. *tt consumer stated she would like complaint to be deleted. The ford fixed the problem, it was a wiring shortage in the wiring harness.

Filed Jan 1, 2018 · Fuel system · 253,367 miles · PA

On 12/20/2017 at about 8:30 pm on route 139 (highway) east bound, after stopping for a red light, I tried to accelerate but the vehicle propulsion shut off. No warning lights or engine light came on. I had to place gear in park, and restart vehicle. This happened again on 12th street in jersey city, nj before I was able to park less than a mile away. In the morning I was attempting to bring it to wayne ford at 444 route 46, wayne , nj 07470, when the vehicle shut off in the middle of a intersection. On route 1(highway) in jersey city, nj. Again I had to place vehicle in park and restart vehicle. This occurred multiply times before I finally arrived at the dealership, fortunately the vehicle only stopped again on local roads ans not on the highway of route 46 or route 3 which I had to use to get to this location.. I explained to the repair person my vehicle shut down while in motion as I pressed on the accelerator, once while turning, always when in motion. Also asked that all recall items of this vehicle be corrected at this time too. As of this date 1/01/2018 wayne ford has yet to tell me what the problem is or when my vehicle will be repaired.

Filed Oct 24, 2017 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max. The contact heard an abnormal grinding noise in the gears of the vehicle. The contact informed sonora ford (13254 mono way, sonora, ca 95370; 209‑532‑5593), but the cause of the failure could not be identified. The contact was informed that there was no failure. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the bridge. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to veracom ford (790 san mateo drive, san mateo, ca 94401; 650‑340‑7199) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened case number: 13370483. The contact was advised to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Dec 26, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 3,400 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford c-max. The contact stated that all the electrical components failed and then the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,400.