YearToAvoid

2017 Ford C-Max Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#5 most-complained of 6 C-Max years

The 2017 Ford C-Max ranks 5th of 6 model years with a Complaint Index of 20 and 15 complaints, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other C-Max years. It has 1 recall (transmission shift bushing) and no do-not-drive recalls.

Complaints
15
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
40
42 city / 38 hwy

Top 2017 Ford C-Max problems

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

  1. Other4 (27%)
  2. Engine3 (20%)
  3. Steering3 (20%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain3 (20%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (13%)
  6. Electrical System1 (7%)
  7. Fuel System1 (7%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Steering column feels loose at highway speed, as if disconnected, without warning.
  • Unexpected acceleration occurs while in Drive, requiring braking or shifting to Neutral to regain control, sometimes tied to the recalled shift cable bushing.
  • Transmission fails to shift properly and makes an abnormal humming noise, in one case recurring even after transmission replacement.
  • Power steering assist faults and a locked steering wheel occur in cold temperatures, with steering wheel lock resolving once the vehicle warms up.
  • Fuel leaks onto wires and spark plugs, causing stalling and failure to accelerate while driving at low speed.
  • Rear back-up camera stops displaying on the dashboard in cold air below about 45 degrees, creating a blind spot.
2017 Ford C-Max complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2017Mar 2020Jul 2022Oct 2022Apr 2024Jul 2024Jan 2026
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2017 to Jan 2026; peak Mar 2020 (3).

2017 Ford C-Max recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles

    Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2017 Ford C-Max fuel economy and fuel cost

City
42 MPG
Highway
38 MPG
Combined
40 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
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 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201320142015201620172018
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Caution6052639
2016Good4022339
2017Best2015140
2018Best010140

All Ford C-Max years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Ford C-Max reliable?
NHTSA lists 15 complaints for the 2017 Ford C-Max, giving it a Complaint Index of 20, the second-lowest among the 6 model years with data. It ranks as "Best" relative to other C-Max years.
What problems does the 2017 Ford C-Max have?
Owners most often reported issues in the Engine, Steering, and Transmission & Powertrain areas, each accounting for 3 complaints (20% share). No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths were tied to these complaints.
Does the 2017 Ford C-Max have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 22V413000) covers a transmission shift cable bushing that can fail; Ford replaces the bushing and adds a protective cap free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2017 C-Max compare to other C-Max years?
The 2017 model has a Complaint Index of 20, far lower than 2013 (100) and 2014 (80), which are rated "Avoid." Only the 2018 model, with an index of 0, ranks better.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Ford C-Max?
EPA rates the 2017 Ford C-Max at 40 mpg combined (42 city / 38 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,600.

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.