IllustrationGovernment 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.
2017 Ford C-MAX
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all C-MAX years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
15 reportsTHE CAR WAS IN ACCELERATION MODE AT EVERY SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, RESIDENTIAL STREETS, AT STOP SIGNS, ALWAYS EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMITS. I CONTINUALLY BRAKED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. TIRES SQUEALED WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE AT STOP SIGNS. THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. I DIDN'T DARE DRIVE INTO THE GARAGE; THE CAR WOULD HAV…
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THE CAR WAS IN ACCELERATION MODE AT EVERY SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, RESIDENTIAL STREETS, AT STOP SIGNS, ALWAYS EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMITS. I CONTINUALLY BRAKED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. TIRES SQUEALED WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE AT STOP SIGNS. THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. I DIDN'T DARE DRIVE INTO THE GARAGE; THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE KITCHEN. WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK, ENGINE STILL REVVED.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN FELT LOOSE AS IF IT WERE NOT ATTACHED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOKAN FORD (2 FRANKLIN PARK W #1, ST ALBANS CITY, VT), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD C-MAX. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN FELT LOOSE AS IF IT WERE NOT ATTACHED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOKAN FORD (2 FRANKLIN PARK W #1, ST ALBANS CITY, VT), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,100.
THE PARK ASSIST FAILED WHEN THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM WAS PARKING MY VEHICLE IN A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE. THE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY UNTIL DURING THE VEHICLE'S IT'S INITIAL BACKUP MANEUVER WHEN IT BACKED MY VEHICLE INTO A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK IN THE ADJACENT PARKING STALL WITHOUT WARNING. FORTUNATELY D…
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THE PARK ASSIST FAILED WHEN THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM WAS PARKING MY VEHICLE IN A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE. THE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY UNTIL DURING THE VEHICLE'S IT'S INITIAL BACKUP MANEUVER WHEN IT BACKED MY VEHICLE INTO A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK IN THE ADJACENT PARKING STALL WITHOUT WARNING. FORTUNATELY DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO PAINT DAMAGE ON MY VEHICLE'S BUMPER WITH DO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IN THE ADJACENT PARKING STALL. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN BRANDON FLORIDA HAS TESTED THE SYSTEM AND REPORTED THAT THE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY,THUS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON 11/09/2017 (CAS-13504308) AND AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THEM.
Official recalls
122V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
Jun 10, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.