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Ford C-MAXModel year report

2017 Ford C-MAX Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
38,448miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
40 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 42 city / 38 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Ford C-MAX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2017 Ford C-MAX. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by steering (3) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 63% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,448 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 118 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “The park assist failed when the automated system was parking my vehicle in a parallel parking space. The park assist system appeared to be functioning properly until during the vehicle's it's initial backup maneuver when it backed my vehicle into a parked pickup truck in the adjacent parking stall without warning. Fortunately damage was limited to paint damage on my vehicle's bumper with do damage to the vehicle in the adjacent parking stall. …”

NHTSA complaint #11051973, filed 2017-11, 10,500 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 2017 Ford C-Max. While driving 50 MPH, the steering column felt loose as if it were not attached. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to bokan Ford (2 franklin park w #1, st albans city, vt), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 13,100.”

NHTSA complaint #11131163, filed 2018-09, 13,100 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The car was in acceleration mode at every speed on the highway, residential streets, at stop signs, always exceeding the speed limits. I continually braked to maintain control. Tires squealed when I released the brake at stop signs. There was nothing under the gas pedal. I didn't dare drive into the garage; the car would have been in the kitchen. When I put it in park, engine still revved.”

NHTSA complaint #11318715, filed 2020-03, 33,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Uncommanded acceleration. The car accelerated to above highway speed, and required continual breaking to maintain control. When home and in park, engine continued to rev to max. Shut car down, and when restarted it returned to normal operation. No obstruction of gas pedal.”

NHTSA complaint #11318708, filed 2020-03, 1 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

63% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,100 and 50,500 miles.

13%0–1025%10–2525%25–5038%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 38,448 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

201720182020202120222024520252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Ford C-MAX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Cmax HEV · hatchback FWD★★★★☆4 / 4554 · 14.3% risk

Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2017 Ford C-MAX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C-MAX Hybrid FWD2.0L 4-cyl · hybridCVT423840$1,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2017 Ford C-MAX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 118 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 118 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford C-MAX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20181011,7501440—Not enough data
20171538,4481440—Stable
20162434,2403439—Falling
20155645,00064—31 · FewerStable
20148053,394843950 · TypicalFalling
201318768,00084—65 · MoreFalling

All Ford C-MAX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Ford C-MAX have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2017 Ford C-MAX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Ford C-MAX is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by steering with 3.

Has the 2017 Ford C-MAX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2017 Ford C-MAX do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Ford C-MAX 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Ford C-MAX get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Ford C-MAX (C-MAX Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 40 mpg combined, 42 city and 38 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Ford C-MAX reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,448 miles and the middle half falls between 13,100 and 50,500 miles; 63% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.