2017 Ford F-150 problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 1,120 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Ford F-150, filed between 2017-03-07 and 2026-09-15. The most common problem areas are the power train (319, 28%), engine (270, 24%) and structure (104, 9%). Owners reported 37 crashes, 19 fires and 32 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 18 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2017 Ford F-150 complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power train | 319 | 28% | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Engine | 270 | 24% | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Unknown or other | 136 | 12% | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Structure | 104 | 9% | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 101 | 9% | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 65 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 65 | 6% | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 51 | 5% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 44 | 4% | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 41 | 4% | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Wheels | 40 | 4% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 37 | 3% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 23 | 2% | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 17 | 2% | 3 | 1 | 5 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Power train: 319 complaints
- 319 complaints of 1,120 (28%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 47 of them also name the engine; owners reported 5 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- 4 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2017 Ford F-150; the latest, campaign 26V237000, says: “A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.”
Engine: 270 complaints
- 270 complaints of 1,120 (24%) name the engine.
- 47 of them also name the power train; owners reported 1 crash, 5 fires and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2017 Ford F-150; the latest, campaign 19V278000, says: “During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.”
Structure: 104 complaints
- 104 complaints of 1,120 (9%) name the structure — the body and frame structure.
- 11 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 3 crashes and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2017 Ford F-150 covers this system.
Electrical system: 101 complaints
- 101 complaints of 1,120 (9%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 24 of them also name the power train; owners reported 7 fires and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2017 Ford F-150; the recall, campaign 26V370000, says: “The instrument cluster may lose power after initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures.”
Engine and engine cooling: 65 complaints
- 65 complaints of 1,120 (6%) name the engine and engine cooling — the engine and its cooling system.
- 16 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2017 Ford F-150; the latest, campaign 19V278000, says: “During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.”
Service brakes: 65 complaints
- 65 complaints of 1,120 (6%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 6 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 8 crashes and 4 injuries in these complaints.
- 3 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2017 Ford F-150; the latest, campaign 25V236000, says: “The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.”
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 46 |
| 2018 | 101 |
| 2019 | 109 |
| 2020 | 80 |
| 2021 | 72 |
| 2022 | 102 |
| 2023 | 149 |
| 2024 | 223 |
| 2025 | 184 |
| 2026 | 54 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names F-150, F-150 CREW CAB, F-150 REGULAR CAB, F-150 SUPERCAB, model year 2017. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2017 Ford F-150 recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford F-150?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2017 Ford F-150's most common problem areas are the power train (319 of 1,120 complaints), engine (270 of 1,120 complaints) and structure (104 of 1,120 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2017 Ford F-150 have?
NHTSA has 1,120 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Ford F-150, including 37 reported crashes and 19 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Ford F-150's problems?
NHTSA lists 18 recalls for the 2017 Ford F-150; 5 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.