VehicleVerdict

2017 Ford F-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2017 Ford F-250 carries two red flags at once: 1,718 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 11.9× the F-250 norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). It is one of the F-250 years to avoid. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 668 reports (39% of the total).

1,718

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

18

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other F-250 years?

F-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted1,919 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 1 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 1 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 2 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 3 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 11 complaints1985: 33 complaints1986: 42 complaints1987: 51 complaints1988: 85 complaints1989: 141 complaints1990: 134 complaints1991: 145 complaints1992: 149 complaints1993: 183 complaints1994: 156 complaints1995: 238 complaints1996: 212 complaints1997: 348 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 702 complaints2000: 417 complaints2001: 269 complaints2002: 189 complaints2003: 151 complaints2004: 201 complaints2005: 207 complaints2006: 332 complaints2007: 84 complaints2008: 255 complaints2009: 92 complaints2010: 109 complaints2011: 384 complaints2012: 423 complaints2013: 153 complaints2014: 236 complaints2015: 426 complaints2016: 427 complaints2017: 1,718 complaints2018: 616 complaints2019: 1,919 complaints2020: 351 complaints2021: 205 complaints2022: 152 complaints
F-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Ford F-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering66839%
Suspension55432%
Other1066%
Tires & Wheels664%
Body & Structure593%
Electrical System593%
Fuel System543%
Engine352%
Transmission241%
Driver Assistance201%
Brakes151%
Latches & Locks151%
Visibility & Wipers131%
Speed Control111%
Airbags80%
Lighting60%
Seats30%
Seat Belts20%

Does the 2017 Ford F-250 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V894000EngineDecember 18, 2018 · 410,289 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.

Consequence

When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.

17V331000Latches & LocksMay 22, 2017 · 14,410 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer. These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Consequence

If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE24014

Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak

The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MY TRUCK WILL START SHAKING VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF BARELY BEING ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND ALMOST COME TO A STOP FOR IT TO STOP SHAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME I SIDE SWIPED A CONCRETE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 28, 2020 · crash

“TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MY TRUCK WILL START SHAKING VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT OF BARELY BEING ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND ALMOST COME TO A STOP FOR IT TO STOP SHAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME I SIDE SWIPED A CONCRETE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 28, 2020 · crash

“The contact owned a 2017 Ford F-250 hauling an unknown fifth-wheel trailer. The contact stated that while driving at 55 - 60 mph, the smoke odor was detected. The contact slowed the vehicle down to 10 mph, to stop and pull over. The fire started from the vehicle's engine compartment. The vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 15, 2021 · fire

“STEERING SHIMMY UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN @ 55+ MPH AND UNEVEN PAYMENT. TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE MUST SLOW VEHICLE BACK DOWN TO 30 MPH AND ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON LINE FOR F 250 2017 IT'S COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE DEATH WOBBLE' BELOW REQUESTS DATE THIS OCCURRED. BEGAN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 8, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAILGATE OPENED ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO QUIRK FORD (540 SOUTHERN ARTERY, QUINCY, MA 02169, [PHONE]) AND THE TAILGATE HINGES WERE GREASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 9, 2019

2017 Ford F-250 — common questions

Is the 2017 Ford F-250 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,718 complaints put the 2017 model at #2 of 55 F-250 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the F-250 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 F-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (668 complaints), suspension (554 complaints), other (106 complaints).

Does the 2017 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Ford F-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Ford F-250 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.