2017 Ford C-Max problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Steering (3) · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford C-Max model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Power Train:shift Linkage/Cable/Rod 2022-06-10 · campaign 22V413000 · 2,925,968 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (118)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-25 · 25N17 · Other
advance notice – customer satisfaction program 25n17 certain 2015-2025 model year multiple vehicle lines rear view camera replacement if required after dealer evaluation
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Electrical System 2025-11-26 · TSB 25-2570 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 24-2165 to update the tsb service procedure. some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit various sync performance related concerns including but not limited to: display operation concerns navigation inoperative voice recognition concerns phone co
Power Train 2025-11-12 · SSM 54366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2015-2021 ford and lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated mil with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0011, p0012, p0014, p0015, p0016, p0017, p0018, p0019, p0021, p0022, p0024 and/or p0025. pinpoint test hk in the powertrain control and emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) or in section 303-14 of th
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-27 · TSB 24-2165 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 21-2175 to update the tsb service procedure. some 2016 mks, 2016-2017 navigator, 2016-2018 f-150/focus/c-max/edge/fiesta/mkx/transit connect/mustang, 2017-2018 continental/fusion/mkz, 2017-2019 explorer, 2016-2019 escape/mkc/flex/mkt/taurus/transit/expedition/f-super duty
Showing the 6 most recent of 118 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-22 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“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 followed by open flames originating from the vehicl…”
2025-08-13 · Steering · 43,896 mi“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 steering wheel bolt. the contact was informed that the st…”
2024-07-26 · Power Train · 70,000 mi“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 variou…”
2024-04-25 · Vehicle Speed Control“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.…”
2024-01-27 · Visibility/Wiper“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…”
2024-01-24 · Steering · 50,500 mi“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…”
2022-10-21 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 55,000 mi“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 plu…”
2022-08-14 · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs“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 pr…”
2022-07-07 · Power Train“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 contac…”
2021-06-10 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“government vehicle was parked and unoccupied when caught fire. damaged another government vehicle parked next to it. both total losses. state fire marshal was at the scene stated that it appeared the fire started around the engine compartment.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.