2017 Ford F-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Ford F-250 ranks 2nd-worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 95 and 1,155 complaints. Steering and suspension issues dominate, with 14 recall campaigns filed, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other F-250 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 F-250 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,155
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 14
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Steering
Top 2017 Ford F-250 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering717 (62%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires602 (52%)
- Other111 (10%)
- Structure & Body80 (7%)
- Electrical System57 (5%)
- Fuel System54 (5%)
- Engine51 (4%)
- Brakes31 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (2%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras15 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel and front end shaking violently at highway speed, sometimes described as a death wobble.
- Several drivers say hitting a bump or expansion joint triggers uncontrollable front-wheel shaking that pushes the truck off its lane.
- Multiple owners describe engine fires starting under the hood or near the engine bay while driving, in some cases with no warning smell or light.
- Some complaints describe smoke or fire coming from the center console after liquid leaked into it and shorted electrical components.
- A few owners report airbags failing to deploy in moderate-speed frontal crashes.
2017 Ford F-250 recalls
14 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
- NHTSA 22V880000Nov 29, 2022Transmission & Powertrain18,808 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 4x4 vehicles. A radial damper inside the driveshaft may move out of position over time, which can cause a driveshaft imbalance and result in a fracture.
Risk: A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power. Additionally, a vehicle rollaway could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Either of these scenarios increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S74.
- NHTSA 22V644000Aug 26, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras277,040 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.
Risk: Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S51.
2017 compared with other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ford F-250 reliable?
- Compared with other F-250 model years, the 2017 ranks 2nd-worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 95 and 1,155 NHTSA complaints, so it is rated Avoid relative to other years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2017 F-250?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 717 complaints, or 62% of all complaints for this year, with a median mileage at failure around 28,000 miles.
- Does the 2017 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2017 F-250, covering areas including structure and body, engine, collision cameras, transmission, and seat belts.
- Are there steering or death wobble complaints for the 2017 F-250?
- Yes, several sample complaints describe violent steering wheel and front-end shaking at highway speeds, sometimes leading to loss of control, within the Steering category that makes up 62% of complaints.
- Which F-250 years are better than 2017?
- According to complaint index data, 2013 (index 0, Best) and 2024 (index 20, Best) rank as the lowest-complaint years, far below the 2017 model's index of 95.