2017 Ford F-450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Ford F-450 has a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 21 complaints and 15 recall campaigns, with tailgate failures and driveshaft fractures the most reported issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 F-450 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 21
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 15
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
Top 2017 Ford F-450 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body11 (52%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (38%)
- Electrical System3 (14%)
- Airbags1 (5%)
- Engine1 (5%)
- Other1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Tailgates unexpectedly drop open or disengage while driving or towing, sometimes destroying the tailgate.
- Door latches fail to lock or hold closed, occasionally within days of a dealer repair.
- Driveshafts fracture or snap at highway speeds, producing strong vibration before failure.
- Transmission housing cracks after a driveshaft failure, leaving the truck undrivable.
- Injector seal oil leaks lead to visible smoke coming from the engine bay after service.
2017 Ford F-450 recalls
15 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-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ford F-450 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 F-450 a Complaint Index of 65, the 8th worst of 21 model years for this truck, resulting in a Caution verdict relative to other F-450 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford F-450?
- Structure & Body complaints, mainly tailgate and door latch failures, make up 52% of reports. Transmission & Powertrain issues, largely driveshaft fractures, account for 38%, with a median failure mileage of 96,000 miles.
- Does the 2017 Ford F-450 have a driveshaft recall?
- Yes, recall 22V880000 covers 2017-2018 F-250, F-350, and F-450 4x4 trucks where a radial damper inside the driveshaft can move out of position and cause an imbalance.
- How many recalls does the 2017 Ford F-450 have?
- NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2017 F-450, covering areas including cameras, seat belts, tailgate wiring, engine block heaters, and the driveshaft.
- Which F-450 model years are worse than 2017?
- 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 all carry Avoid verdicts with higher Complaint Index values than 2017's 65.