Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2017 Ford C-Max Energi with NHTSA between 2017 and 2025.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 18
Against the median year of the Ford C-Max Energi. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 40
7.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 85
50% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2017 compares with every other Ford C-Max Energi
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2017 Ford C-Max Energi
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
323.1%
Median failure at 44,572 miles
Electrical System
323.1%
Median failure at 77,250 miles
Other & Unspecified
215.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 14,000 mi
Wheels
17.7%
Tires
17.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.7%
Body & Structure
17.7%
Median failure at 400 miles
Steering
17.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
116.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
233.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
350.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2017peak 3Jul 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2017 Ford C-Max Energi
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 14,000 milesOakland, CACrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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. IT WAS AS IF IT WAS GOING FULL SPEED, IN REVERSE. I COULDN'T STOP IT IN TIME BEFORE HITTING A SIDEWALK AND STAIR CASE BEHIND ME; AS WELL AS SIDE SWIPING A PARKED CAR IN THE STALL TO THE LEFT OF ME. MY DRIVER DOOR WAS DESTROYED BECAUSE IT WAS OPENED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11402854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Seattle, WA
TIRES
At night I noticed the indicator light came on for tire pressure drove to the next gas station to check it was flat tire I looked every where for the spare tire no luck.called dealer told me where to look. Then he checked something and said it came with a air pump under the passenger seat. I read the symbol of Instructions very confused and limited no use of car for days with ordering tire waiting for delivery and so on....
NHTSA complaint #11676305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellevue, NE
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11604390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minnetonka, MN
WHEELS
Lug nuts are deforming. Costco techs require 3 sockets to obtain proper torque. Two piece construction is problematic.
NHTSA complaint #11547291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,250 milesSanta Fe, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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 there was an unknown Federal mandate for an Extended Warranty that stated that the Ford manufacturer would cover the battery system repair for 8 years/100,000 miles; however, the dealer declined to honor the Extended Warranty. The insurance company considered the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 77,250.
NHTSA complaint #11515556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,250 milesSanta Fe, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 there was an unknown Federal mandate for an Extended Warranty that stated that the Ford manufacturer would cover the battery system repair for 8 years/100,000 miles; however, the dealer declined to honor the Extended Warranty. The insurance company considered the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 77,250.
NHTSA complaint #11515556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,250 milesSanta Fe, NM
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 there was an unknown Federal mandate for an Extended Warranty that stated that the Ford manufacturer would cover the battery system repair for 8 years/100,000 miles; however, the dealer declined to honor the Extended Warranty. The insurance company considered the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 77,250.
NHTSA complaint #11515556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, CO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 significantly later than when I remove my foot. I fear for my life and safety, and that of others. The vehicle is available upon request. I have not gone to a dealer or service center. The vehicle has not been inspected, but I have read similar reports online. There were no warning lamps or messages, but the issues began October 2022, and have increased in frequency since.
NHTSA complaint #11498618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE
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 significantly later than when I remove my foot. I fear for my life and safety, and that of others. The vehicle is available upon request. I have not gone to a dealer or service center. The vehicle has not been inspected, but I have read similar reports online. There were no warning lamps or messages, but the issues began October 2022, and have increased in frequency since.
NHTSA complaint #11498618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northborough, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2017 Ford C-Max and share it with my husband. It is our only car so the past few weeks have been tough. Since I received my recall (22S43) in the mail, my car has been struggling to start. I believe this is due to the recall as the car is not in the correct gear to start the engine (even though I’ve been putting it in park & engaging the emergency parking brake). Yesterday, on our way home from the grocery store, our car gave us the “stop safely now” display; luckily we were close to home but it was still pretty scary. The engine had shut off. Also, I missed a doctors appointment last week because my car wouldn’t start. I almost missed my appointment for the RMV as well. Not only that but I had to cancel my trip to Lake George because the car feels unsafe to drive. I did not get a refund so the financial burden Ford is causing me for their negligence is frustrating to say the least. I bought the car a year and a half ago (Jan 2021). I have called Ford in Beverly, Framingham, Westborough, and Marlborough. None of the service departments could help me. They said that they won’t have the parts until the 4th quarter of this year. I’m not sure what to do at this point but would appreciate your help. My VIN is [XXX]. I am currently only using the car for “necessary” trips, though half of the time the car won’t start. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11475652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE FINISHED CHARGING, AND THEN WAS UNPLUGGED. VEHICLE'S WARNING SYSTEM SAYS VEHICLE WAS STILL PLUGGED IN AND AND WOULDN'T MOVE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP AND DIAGNOSED CHARGING PORT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHARGING PORT IS UNATTAINABLE AND VEHICLE SITS AT DEALERSHIP WITH NO LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. CHARGING PORT UNATTAINABLE, TELLS ME FORD HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11413387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesOakland, CACrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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. IT WAS AS IF IT WAS GOING FULL SPEED, IN REVERSE. I COULDN'T STOP IT IN TIME BEFORE HITTING A SIDEWALK AND STAIR CASE BEHIND ME; AS WELL AS SIDE SWIPING A PARKED CAR IN THE STALL TO THE LEFT OF ME. MY DRIVER DOOR WAS DESTROYED BECAUSE IT WAS OPENED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11402854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,895 milesButler, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD/INTERSTATE. THIS IS A VEHICLE WITH A PLUG-IN BATTERY PROPULSIVE SYSTEM. HAS HAPPENED 4X THIS YEAR. TWICE ON I-96 IN MICHIGAN THIS PAST WEEKEND AND 2X LOCALLY. HAPPENED WHEN SWITCHING FROM DRIVE MODE "AUTO" ON THE DASH TO "EV LATER". GET ALL KINDS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND THE DREADED STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING. MAY BE RELATED TO WIRE TO HYBRID BATTERY PACK AND/OR HEAT OF BATTERY PACK.
NHTSA complaint #11219149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 400 milesHerndon, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE DOORS AND WINDOW AREAS CREAK AS IF THE FRAME/STRUCTURE IS COMPROMISED OR FLEXING UNUSUALLY. MAY BE SIMPLY POOR QUALITY CONSTRUCTION OR POOR LATCHING MECHANISMS, BUT SEEMS UNUSUAL FOR A NEW VEHICLE. CAR PURCHASED NEW AND HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW; CAR NOW HAS 3,028 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #11020018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.