YearToAvoid

2017 Ford F-350 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

93/100

#2 most-complained of 16 F-350 years

The 2017 Ford F-350 ranks 2nd worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 93 and 573 complaints. Steering (51% share) and Suspension (47% share) dominate owner reports, backed by 13 recalls. NHTSA data supports an Avoid verdict relative to other F-350 years.

Complaints
573
Recalls
13
Crashes / fires
7 / 6
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2017 Ford F-350 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering292 (51%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires269 (47%)
  3. Structure & Body56 (10%)
  4. Other51 (9%)
  5. Fuel System40 (7%)
  6. Electrical System32 (6%)
  7. Engine30 (5%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain23 (4%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (2%)
  10. Brakes12 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the truck shaking or shimmying violently on rough roads, sometimes tied to leaking valve stems and improper tire inflation.
  • Some describe fuel spraying or leaking near the engine, followed by smoke, fire, or diesel smell inside the cabin.
  • One owner reported the transmission shifting itself into reverse while parked with the engine idling, causing the truck to roll away and hit a parked vehicle.
  • Several drivers noted the truck independently shifting out of its driving lane after hitting a bump, even after a dealer adjusted the front suspension.
  • One case described unintended acceleration from 5 MPH to 52 MPH with rising RPM, ending in a crash.
  • An electric tailgate was reported to open on its own at low speeds without warning.
2017 Ford F-350 complaints: complaints filed per quarter1172016 Q32018 Q22019 Q32020 Q42022 Q12023 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
829 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q4 (117).

2017 Ford F-350 recalls

13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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 driver’s 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 13 recalls for the 2017 Ford F-350 →

2017 compared with other F-350 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Caution602083—
2016Avoid802083—
2017Avoid9357313—
2018Caution732019—
2019Avoid10046611—

All Ford F-350 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Ford F-350 reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2017 F-350 ranks 2nd worst among 16 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 93 and 573 complaints, mainly in the Steering and Suspension categories.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford F-350?
Steering issues account for 51% of complaints and Suspension, Wheels & Tires for 47%. Structure & Body problems, including tailgate issues, make up 10% of reports.
Does the 2017 Ford F-350 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2017 F-350, covering areas including the driveshaft, rearview camera, seat belts, tailgate wiring, engine block heater, and door latches.
At what mileage do 2017 F-350 problems usually occur?
Median mileage at failure across reported issues is 26,000 miles overall, with Steering failures at a median of 26,326 miles and Suspension failures at 24,826 miles.
How does the 2017 F-350 compare to other years?
The 2017 model has a Complaint Index of 93, worse than 2013 (7), 2014 (13), and 2023 (20), but slightly better than 2019 (100), the worst year in the lineup.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.