Recall 13V303 affects 33,021 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid vehicles for inadequate roof impact protection. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford issued recall 13V303 for 33,021 2013 C-Max Hybrid vehicles without panoramic roofs because testing found they did not meet the federal interior-impact head-injury requirement. In a crash, that defect raises injury risk for occupants, and the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The affected part is the interior structure around the passenger compartment in certain 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid vehicles without panoramic roofs. That structure includes trim and roof-area surfaces that surround occupants and help manage contact with the cabin during a crash. In a compliant design, those surfaces absorb and spread impact energy so a head strike stays within the federal interior-impact limit.
Ford found the problem during vehicle testing. The tested C-Max Hybrid exceeded the head injury criteria requirement in the occupant-protection standard, which means the interior structure did not manage a head impact within the required limit. The filing does not point to a broken part in daily driving; it points to how the cabin performs if an occupant's head contacts the interior.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners are not expected to notice a noise, warning light, or drivability change because the issue appears only in interior-impact performance, not during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 33,021 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the roof and headliner area can leave an occupant at increased risk of injury. If your VIN is included, schedule service and ask the dealer about the energy absorber installation. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer to ask whether repair scheduling is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the free energy-absorber installation between the headliner and roof, which improves interior-impact protection.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V303 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about scheduling or owner notice status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician installs energy absorbers between the headliner and the roof of the affected 2013 C-Max Hybrid. Those added absorbers address the interior impact protection issue identified in recall 13V303. Ford's remedy notice says the recall began on August 5, 2013, but this section does not list a current remedy status. Confirm parts status with the Ford dealer before planning the visit. Once the dealer repair is available, parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| July 10, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 5, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V303?
Recall 13V303 covers 33,021 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid vehicles without panoramic roofs. During Ford testing, these vehicles exceeded a head-injury requirement for interior impact protection. Ford dealers install energy absorbers between the headliner and roof for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is included in recall 13V303. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for recall 13C02 or 13V303. The dealer repair installs roof energy absorbers and is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Ford dealers install energy absorbers between the headliner and the roof for free, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk for recall 13V303?
The risk is higher injury exposure in a crash. Ford reported that affected C-Max Hybrid vehicles exceeded a head-injury requirement during testing, so the recall repair adds energy absorbers between the headliner and roof to improve interior impact protection.
What if I bought my Ford C-Max Hybrid used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific C-Max Hybrid is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 13V303 or Ford recall 13C02.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V303000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V303 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V303000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →