YearToAvoid

2017 Ford C-MAX Energi Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#5 most-complained of 5 C-MAX Energi years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2017 Ford C-MAX Energi ranks best among the 5 model years tracked, with only 10 complaints and a complaint index of 0. No recalls have been issued for this year.

Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
39
41 city / 38 hwy

Top 2017 Ford C-MAX Energi problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System3 (30%)
  2. Electrical System2 (20%)
  3. Other2 (20%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (20%)
  5. Engine1 (10%)
  6. Steering1 (10%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (10%)

What owners report

  • Some vehicles unexpectedly shut down while driving on highways and local roads, triggering warning lights and a stop-safely-now message, sometimes when switching between auto and EV modes.
  • One owner reported the vehicle accelerated on its own with no foot on the accelerator, even after braking, requiring hard braking to stop the surge.
  • The charging port failed after unplugging from a charge, leaving the vehicle unable to move and stuck at the dealership with no replacement part available.
  • A hybrid battery-related failure caused a burning odor, warning lights, and loss of steering, brakes, and motive power at 77,250 miles.
  • Owners reported creaking doors and window frames suggesting body flex, present from new at low mileage.
  • Lug nuts were reported deforming on the two-piece wheel design, and a steering wheel bolt loosened and needed dealer replacement.
2017 Ford C-MAX Energi complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2017Mar 2021Jul 2022Apr 2023Jul 2024
12 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2017 to Jul 2025; peak Dec 2022 (2).

2017 Ford C-MAX Energi recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2017 Ford C-MAX Energi fuel economy and fuel cost

City
41 MPG
Highway
38 MPG
Combined
39 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular Gas and Electricity
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other C-MAX Energi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Good2515038
2016Avoid10032038
2017Best010039

All Ford C-MAX Energi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Ford C-MAX Energi reliable?
Among the 5 C-MAX Energi model years with data, 2017 ranks best, with 10 complaints and a complaint index of 0.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 C-MAX Energi?
Fuel System issues make up 30% of complaints, followed by Electrical System and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 20% each.
Does the 2017 Ford C-MAX Energi have any recalls?
No recalls have been recorded for the 2017 C-MAX Energi in NHTSA data.
How does the 2017 C-MAX Energi compare to other years?
It has a complaint index of 0, well below the 2013 Avoid year (index 100) and 2016 Avoid year (index 75), making 2017 the best-ranked year of the five tracked.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Ford C-MAX Energi?
EPA rates it at 39 mpg combined, 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, with an annual fuel cost of $1,650.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.