2017 Ford F-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Ford F-150 ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 60, earning a Caution verdict. Owners logged 1,437 complaints and NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns, with transmission and powertrain issues the top problem area at 38% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 F-150 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,437
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 17
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 42
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 21
- Injuries
- 34
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 34 / 0
Top 2017 Ford F-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain539 (38%)
- Engine413 (29%)
- Other161 (11%)
- Structure & Body146 (10%)
- Electrical System137 (10%)
- Brakes120 (8%)
- Steering59 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires59 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers50 (3%)
- Fuel System27 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers report the truck rolling forward after being placed in park with the engine running.
- Owners describe brake pedals sinking to the floorboard with little or no stopping power, sometimes leading to rear-end crashes.
- Several reports describe the engine shutting off unexpectedly while driving, followed by smoke or sparks from under the hood.
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate-to-high speed collisions, including a case involving a totaled vehicle.
- Some drivers describe the front driver's door opening on its own while underway.
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration when the brake pedal was depressed, in one case resulting in the vehicle going airborne.
2017 Ford F-150 recalls
17 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V370000Jun 9, 2026Electrical System4,445 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 17V053. The instrument cluster may lose power after initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures. Several gauges, including the transmission gear position indicator, may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."
Risk: An instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as gear position or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V237000Apr 14, 2026Transmission & Powertrain1,392,935 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V236000Apr 11, 2025Brakes123,611 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S37. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 22V-150.
2017 Ford F-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ford F-150 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 F-150 carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 60, ranking 9th worst among the 21 model years with data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford F-150?
- Transmission and powertrain issues lead at 38% of complaints (539 total), followed by engine problems at 29% (413 complaints). Median mileage at failure for transmission complaints was 84,000.
- Does the 2017 Ford F-150 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the 2017 F-150, covering brakes, transmission software, engine block heaters, and seat belt pretensioners, among others. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2017 F-150 compare to other model years?
- The 2017 F-150 is better than the worst years like 2013 (complaint index 100) and 2018 (index 95), but worse than earlier years such as 2007 and 2008, which score in the Good range.
- What is fuel economy like on the 2017 Ford F-150?
- The 2017 F-150 gets an EPA-rated 19 mpg combined (17 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.