2017 Ford C-Max Energi Owner Complaints

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 ID

11676305

Incident

Jul 19, 2025

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 ID

11604390

Incident

May 29, 2024

Lug nuts are deforming. Costco techs require 3 sockets to obtain proper torque. Two piece construction is problematic.

NHTSA ID

11547291

Incident

Sep 14, 2023

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 ID

11515556

Incident

Feb 10, 2023

Mileage

77,250 mi

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 ID

11498618

Incident

Oct 15, 2022

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 ID

11475652

Incident

Jul 10, 2022

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 ID

11413387

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

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.*DT

NHTSA ID

11402854

Incident

Mar 13, 2021

Mileage

14,000 mi

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 ID

11219149

Incident

Jun 8, 2019

Mileage

11,895 mi

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 ID

11020018

Incident

Jun 10, 2017

Mileage

400 mi