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2017 Ford C-Max problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2017 Ford C-Max has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 23owner complaints
- 2crash reports
- 1fire report
- 18%fail the UK MOT
23 complaints, against an average of 121 for the other 5 Ford C-Max model years.
Every Ford C-Max model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2017 Ford C-Max?
The components named most often in the 23 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2017 Ford C-Max owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 23 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2017 Ford C-Max been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) 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.
Is the 2017 Ford C-Max recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAX-Car Powertain Control Module (PCM) Software Update
Risk: Affected vehicles may develop a crack in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).
Fix: Update software to prevent a cracked DPF. Test and replace DPFs that are already cracked.
UK DVSAVehicle could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture
Risk: A number of vehicles fitted with a 1.0 1.5 or 1.6 Ecoboost engine and 6-speed manual transmission could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture. This results in clutch smell reduced vehicle speed and performance. In the unlikely event of clutch pressure plate fracture a noise (thud / bang) could be heard from the vicinity of the transmission in extreme cases resulting in clutch / transmission fragments being released and striking under hood components creating a risk of smoke and fire from the under hood area.
Fix: To prevent the repeated heating /cooling events a new calibration has been developed for vehicles fitted with Engine Stop Start feature. The software with the additional feature sets the Instrument panel Wrench light and de-rates the engine performance if prolonged clutch slip is detected. The software feature includes a drive cycle strategy for latching the wrench light and engine performance de-rate if the customer should experience repeated clutch slip events. For vehicles that do not have Engine Stop Start feature an alternative clutch kit has been released.
UK DVSACasting defect may cause alloy wheel(s) to crack
Risk: A small batch of alloy wheels may have a casting defect that may initiate a fatigue crack and result in wheel failure.
Fix: Check wheels on affected vehicles for a specific batch code. Replace those wheels which have the identified batch code.
UK DVSASide and/or knee airbag may fail to deploy in a collision
Risk: The airbag initiator may be defective and may prevent the side airbag(s) and/or knee airbag deploying in the event of an accident. In a collision the airbags not deploying could put the occupants at further risk.
Fix: Recall the 1943 vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary replace the side and knee protection airbags complete with initiators.
EU Safety GateThe diesel particulate filter (DPF) may be cracked on 2.0 l EcoBlue Diesel and 1.5 l EcoBlue vehicles.This could cause the vehicles to fail the legally required roadworthiness test, as exhaust emissions of soot may be above the authorised limit.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe clutch pressure plate may break.This may result in reduced vehicle performance.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 07/12/2018
EU Safety GateThe clutch pressure plate may break.If this happens while the vehicle is in motion, propulsion may be lost.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe alloy wheels may have a casting defect which could lead to a premature fatigue crack.This could result in an unexpected alloy wheel failure which could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe airbag inflator may be defective which may prevent the side airbag(s) and/or knee airbag deploying in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2017 Ford C-Max fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2017, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2017 Ford C-Max owners report?
12 of the 23 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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 recurred. The contact stated while while driving at various speeds, and while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle made an abnormal humming sound. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was out of warranty. The…
Steering wheel became loose. Within a week I took it into a Ford dealer who confirmed this was a serious safety concern. They worked on the problem a day later. Steering wheel bolt was damaged and would not retain torque. The steering wheel bolt was replaced by dealer.
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.
Rear back-up camera does not display on dashboard console screen when air temperature is cold, i.e. below about 45º, and will only turn back on when the car has sufficiently warmed up after driving some distance. This has been happening for at least two years. When the camera is not working, there is a blind spot directly behind the car. The rear of the car proximity warning signal still works, but the screen remains black. I brought this problem to the attention of the dealership service manager, who told me he could not find anything obviously wrong.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford C-MAX Hybrid. The contact stated while starting the vehicle in cold temperatures, the steering wheel was locked. The contact stated that the steering wheel operated as needed after the vehicle had warmed up. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact stated that he used his physical strength to steer the steering wheel, and he drove to his nearby residence. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an…
Lug nuts are deforming. Costco techs require 3 sockets to obtain proper torque. Two piece construction is problematic.
The contact owned a 2017 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while starting the vehicle in the parking lot of her residence, there was a strong burning odor and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the steering wheel and the brakes were inoperable, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hybrid battery system had burned and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact that there was no guarantee that the vehicle would become operable after the repair. Additionally, the contact stated that…
The vehicle accelerate on its own accord, despite no foot or pressure to the accelerator, even going uphill and including after braking. For example, ona flat road, I stepped on the brakes and began to decelerate, I released the brake and the vehicle immediately began to accelerate forward at a high speed. I had to slam the brakes to prevent further movement. This is one of many instances, the most common of which is acceleration upwards of 10-15mph after the accelerator is released. It appears as if the accelerator remains pressed forward, I can feel the accelerator move back into place…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford C-Max Energi. The contact stated while driving 3 MPH, the vehicle started to stall and failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that gasoline was leaking onto the wires and spark plugs. The contact was informed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Ford Dealer Service recommends I replace lug nuts. I have 35th miles. That they are expanding and Ford cannot assure they or other repair shops will be able to remove lug nuts for repairs or replacements such as brakes, tires, etc. I read many complaints online about this problem, that the lug nut can break causing other lug nuts to break under pressure, that cause tire to fall off. They do not replace under warranty and do not discount parts. I call upon NHTSA to have Ford recall these affected cars for replacement lug nuts. Thank you
The contact owns a 2017 Ford C-Max. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the failure was experienced intermittently. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
2017 Ford C-Max: questions owners ask
Is the 2017 Ford C-Max reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford C-Max; the most common categories were vehicle speed control (4, 17.4%), electrical system (3, 13%), power train (3, 13%). There is 1 safety recall. 2 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford C-Max?
Across 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are vehicle speed control (17.4% of complaints), electrical system (13% of complaints), power train (13% of complaints), steering (13% of complaints), wheels (13% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2017 Ford C-Max have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2017 Ford C-Max; the most recent (campaign 22V413000, 2022-06-10) concerns Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2017 Ford C-Max stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
6 of the 23 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Ford C-Max (26.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "The car was in reverse. my intention was clearly to back out of a parking stall. however i hit the brake, put the car in park, attempted to get out of the vehicle but the car kept going back, at an accelerated rate." (NHTSA complaint 11402854, March 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own C-Max
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2017 only; combines NHTSA's entries for C-MAX, CMAX ENERGI and CMAX HEV. How these reports are made.