Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Ford Cmax Energi problems

Owners filed 22 complaints about the 2017 Ford Cmax Energi with NHTSA between Aug 2017 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is vehicle speed control (4).

Complaints
22
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Vehicle speed control4
  2. Power train3
  3. Steering3
  4. Wheels3
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Fuel/propulsion system2
  7. Tires1
  8. Engine1
  9. Visibility/wiper1
  10. Hybrid propulsion system1
  11. Structure1
  12. Other / unknown5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20172
20181
20191
20202
20213
20224
20232
20246
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Vehicle speed control

4 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2024Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11585231

Power train

3 reports
“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 manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2024Power trainODI 11604691

Steering

3 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2024SteeringODI 11604390

Wheels

3 reports
“Swollen lugnuts”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2024Unknown or other, WheelsODI 11592716

Electrical system

3 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2024Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11568220

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2022Fuel/propulsion system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11498618
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.