2017 Ford C-MAX Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other C-MAX years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 5th of 6 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford C-MAX. That ranks 5th out of 6 C-MAX model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (4 complaints, 27%), typically at around 10,500 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 2 fires. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
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- 15owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2017 Ford C-MAX problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 27% | 10,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 20% | 51,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 20% | 43,896 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 20% | 16,501 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 7% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2017 Ford C-MAX recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
On 1/16/2026, while operating my 2017 Ford C-Max Hybrid in the Bay Area, the vehicle displayed a low tire pressure warning. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle experienced a rapid mechanical or electrical failure that required me to safely pull over and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting, I observed smoke…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford C-Max Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel detached from the steering column. The contact stated that the steering wheel had loosened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a detached…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford C-MAX Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift as intended and made an abnormal humming sound while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure…
Swollen lugnuts
Car accelerated by itself in Drive. I'd to either apply brake or put the car in Neutral to stop it. When shifted back to D, it auto accelerated. After I got home, shut it off and after 10 min. it started working normally.
Other Ford C-MAX years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 C-MAX | 10 | 1 |
| 2017 | 15 | 1 |
| 2016 C-MAX | 24 | 3 |
| 2015 C-MAX | 55 | 6 |
| 2014 C-MAX | 80 | 8 |
| 2013 C-MAX | 187 | 8 |
See all Ford C-MAX problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
Similar Ford models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford C-MAX?
Owners most often report unknown or other, power train, steering problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Ford C-MAX?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2017 Ford C-MAX a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other C-MAX model years, the 2017 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.