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2017
Used 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
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Ford C-MAX Change Vehicle

Unlock Ratings
The C-Max is an appealing all-around package, combining the fuel efficiency of its standard hybrid powertrain with the practicality of a five-door hatchback design. Based on the Ford Focus, the C-Max packs an impressive amount of room and utility into a small footprint. Its tall stance and low entry height make for easy access, and the cabin is airy and spacious.
GREEN CHOICE
2017
Used 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

Ford C-MAX

Reliability
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Owner Satisfaction
See All
Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Acceptable
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.
Fuel Economy & Emissions
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Greenhouse Gas Greenhouse Gas The Greenhouse Gas Rating represents the amount of carbon dioxide the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
Smog Rating Smog Rating The Smog Rating represents the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming airborne pollutants the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
NA
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
NA
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
NA
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
NA
Transmission Minor Transmission Minor Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.
NA
Drive System Drive System Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.
NA
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS and ESC standard. Front side and head protection air bags standard.
Road Test

The C-Max is an appealing all-around package, combining the fuel efficiency of its standard hybrid powertrain with the practicality of a five-door hatchback design. Based on the Ford Focus, the C-Max packs an impressive amount of room and utility into a small footprint. Its tall stance and low entry height make for easy access, and the cabin is airy and spacious.

With the C-Max Hybrid, Ford takes direct aim at the Toyota Prius and its extended family. At 37 mpg overall, the regular C-Max isn't as fuel efficient as the Prius models, nor is it as roomy. But it's much quieter inside, making the C-Max feel solid and substantial. And it's more fun to drive, with precise steering, responsive handling, and a luxurious ride.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
Front
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
wagon
Transmissions Available
  • CVT
Engines Available
  • 2-liter 4 electric (188 hp)
  • 2-liter 4 hybrid (188 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2017 Ford C-MAX owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

"Interface to Spotify worked for some time, but now it never find the app on my smartphone. Even worse, the bluetooth connection to the media on my phone stops intermittently. Pretty sure it's the car since my wife's phone (different brand and model) has exactly the same problem. Interface to Android Auto never properly worked and seems to interfere with the built-in navigation system."

Anonymous, FL (2017 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"software update from dealer fixed the problem."

Anonymous, TX (2017 Ford C-MAX Energi SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Radio

"Radio delays response to commands from touch, buttons or steering control. Would take up to 10 seconds to respond. May have been cause of not driving as much. Started working fine after a long drive."

Anonymous, (2017 Ford C-MAX Unsure 2.0-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Speakers

"Speaker was vibrating in the door. A clip was broken, but also the speaker needed to be replaced, as it sounded like it was blown."

Anonymous, CA (2017 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Voice control commands

"Delays in commence of 5 to 30 seconds make it unusable."

Anonymous, CA (2017 Ford C-MAX Energi SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
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Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"ill fitting panels and exterior trim."

Anonymous, FL (2017 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
Loose interior trim or moldings

"lost an interior grommet"

Anonymous, FL (2017 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Exterior lights (other than headlights)

"Daytime running light on passenger side shorted out. Caused because a cover on the back of the headlight assembly was missing. Replacement cost was quoted at $2300, complained to Ford. Cost reduced to $1000. The dealer further reduced it to $700. Should have been replaced by Ford at no cost to me. Lodged a complaint with the BBB."

Anonymous, ON (2017 Ford C-MAX Energi SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)
Headlights

"Passenger side daytime running light (which is integral to the headlight) shorted out when the vehicle was 23 months old but over the 60,000 km warranty. Initially, the Ford dealer wanted $2300 to replace the headlight. I contacted Ford directly and the cost was reduced to $10029.. I am still in negotiations with Ford to get the headlight at no cost to me. I had purchased Ford Premium Extended Warranty but need Premium Plus to cover headlights. Something I didn't know nor was offered at vehicle purchase."

Greg S., ON (2017 Ford C-MAX Energi SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Antilock system (ABS)

"Too sensitive"

D S., BC (2017 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Electrical failure

"Caused the car to shut down completely. I had to get it towed to the dealership. They thought it was the battery at first. Replaced that. But it happened again. Turned out to be a hard-to-find electrical failure. It has not happened since."

Anonymous, ON (2017 Ford C-MAX Energi SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"Replaced trans under warranty"

Anonymous, PA (2017 Ford C-MAX Energi SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

What Owners Say

Doors or sliding doors

"Left rear door was not aligned properly when car was picked up from dealer."

Anonymous, CO (2017 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SEL 2.0-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"Fit and finish on interior is not as tight as I’d like."

Anonymous, CO (2017 Ford C-MAX Energi SE 2.0-L 4 Cyl plug-in hybrid)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

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