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Campaign 13V475 Posted October 17, 2013 23,000 units

2012-2013 Ford Focus Electric/C-Max Recall 13V475: No Chime

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 13V475 affects 23,000 2012-2013 Ford Focus Electric and C-Max vehicles for a missing door chime. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.

Ford is recalling 23,000 2012-2013 Focus Electric, C-Max Hybrid, and C-Max Energi vehicles because affected vehicles do not sound a door chime when they remain operational and the driver opens the door. Without the reminder, an owner can exit while the vehicle is still on, leaving it susceptible to theft; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The Intelligent Access Push Button Start System on the 2012-2013 Ford Focus Electric, C-Max Hybrid, and C-Max Energi lets the driver start and stop the vehicle without turning a key. It also supports reminder functions tied to the vehicle's operational state. One of those reminders is an audible chime when the vehicle is running and the driver's door is opened.

In affected vehicles, that chime does not sound. Because these electric and hybrid vehicles are quiet, the missing chime removes a normal cue that the vehicle is still operational when the driver opens the door. Ford identified this as a failure to meet the federal theft protection and rollaway prevention standard.

There is no warning sign before failure. The missing chime is the condition itself, so an owner notices the problem only when the vehicle is operational, the driver's door opens, and no audible reminder sounds.

Who's affected?

Covers three Ford electrified models across the 2012 and 2013 model years, with anti-theft device and control-module components listed for each included model.

2012 Ford Focus Electric Anti-theft devices
2012 Ford Focus Electric electrical system
2013 Ford Focus Electric Anti-theft devices
2013 Ford Focus Electric electrical system
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid Anti-theft devices
Units affected23,000

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.

What's the safety risk?

If the door chime is missing, an owner can open the door and leave while the vehicle is still operational. That leaves the vehicle susceptible to theft. Before exiting, confirm the vehicle is shut off and secured, then schedule the software update. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Ford Focus Electric, C-Max Hybrid, or C-Max Energi is included in this recall.
  2. Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer and ask about the free door-chime software update.
  3. Reference recall number 13V475 when you call, and give the dealer the exact model and VIN.
  4. Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one; the dealer repair is free.
  5. Confirm the vehicle is shut off before exiting until the door-chime software update is complete.

What happens at the repair

Ford's filing says dealers update the door chime software free of charge. The repair corrects the missing audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened, a condition tied to rollaway prevention. Because the remedy status is not listed as available here, confirm timing with a Ford dealer before bringing the vehicle in. Once available, a Ford technician updates the door chime software at no charge under recall 13V475.

Timeline

October 17, 2013 NHTSA published the recall
October 30, 2013 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 13V475?

Recall 13V475 covers 23,000 2012-2013 Ford Focus Electric, C-Max Hybrid, and C-Max Energi vehicles equipped with Intelligent Access Push Button Start. The missing audible door chime means an owner can open the door and leave while the vehicle is still operational, increasing theft risk. Ford dealers update the door-chime software for free.

What should I do if my 2012-2013 Ford Focus Electric, C-Max Hybrid, or C-Max Energi is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V475. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the door-chime software update. Reference Ford recall number 13C07 when you call. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers will update the door-chime software free of charge. The repair began on October 30, 2013.

Is it safe to drive my Ford with recall 13V475 open?

Recall 13V475 is about theft risk, not a listed crash or fire risk. The concern is that the missing door chime fails to remind the driver that the vehicle is still operational after the door opens. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free Ford software update.

What if I bought this Ford used?

The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Focus Electric, C-Max Hybrid, or C-Max Energi is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 13V475 or Ford recall number 13C07.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V475000
Ford customer service1-866-436-7332
NHTSA recall #13V475
NHTSA recall # (full)13V475000

Source documents

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 →