2017 Ford F-250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 F-250 years
The 2017 Ford F-250 ranks 2nd worst out of 16 model years with a complaint index of 93 and 1,155 complaints. Steering problems dominate, cited in 717 complaints (62%), with a median failure mileage of 28,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 1,155
- Recalls
- 14
- Crashes / fires
- 12 / 13
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2017 Ford F-250 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners describe the steering wheel and front end shaking violently at highway speed, sometimes called a "death wobble," often after hitting a bump or expansion joint.
- Several drivers lost control during these shaking events, striking curbs, barriers, or blowing out a front tire.
- Multiple owners report engine bay or under-hood fires, in some cases with smoke filling the cabin before flames appeared.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal or side-impact crashes at speeds around 45 to 65 mph.
- A console cup holder area was reported to let liquid leak into electrical components, leading to smoke and light failures.
- One owner reported sudden power loss on the highway accompanied by a warning light before the truck lost power.
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?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2017 F-250 2nd worst of 16 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 93 and 1,155 complaints, so it is rated Avoid relative to other F-250 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Ford F-250?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 717 complaints, or 62% of all complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 28,000 miles.
- Does the 2017 Ford F-250 have a steering wobble recall?
- NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2017 F-250 covering areas like transmission driveshaft, cameras, seat belts, and structure, but the sample complaints describe steering shake issues reported directly by owners.
- How does the 2017 F-250 compare to the 2019 F-250?
- The 2019 F-250 has a complaint index of 100 with 1,164 complaints, slightly higher than the 2017 F-250's index of 93 and 1,155 complaints, and both are rated Avoid.
- Are there fire risks with the 2017 Ford F-250?
- NHTSA lists 13 fires reported for the 2017 F-250, with sample complaints describing engine bay fires and smoke from electrical components including the console area.