2017 Ford F-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2017 Ford F-350 carries two red flags at once: 729 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 11.6× the F-350 norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 266 reports (37% of the total).

729

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations · 1 open

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other F-350 years?

F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Ford F-350 problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Steering	266	36%	▲ up
Suspension	201	28%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	58	8%	▲ up
Other	38	5%	▲ up
Body & Structure	35	5%	▲ up
Fuel System	24	3%	— flat
Electrical System	23	3%	▲ up
Transmission	19	3%	— flat
Latches & Locks	16	2%	▲ up
Driver Assistance	15	2%	▲ up
Engine	14	2%	▼ down
Brakes	7	1%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	5	1%	▲ up
Speed Control	4	1%	— flat
Lighting	3	0%	▲ up
Seat Belts	1	0%	— flat

Does the 2017 Ford F-350 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.

“TRUCK SHAKING, WAS TOLD TIRE INFLATION WAS NOT BEING MAINTAINED. ALL VALVE STEMS LEAKING SINCE DAY I BOUGHT IT. ONE TIRE HAD FIX A FLAT IN IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IT TOOK FORD 6 MONTHS TO REPLACE VALVE STEMS CORRECTLY. AFTER THIS TRUCK STILL SHAKES ON ANY ROUGH ROAD, IF HIT ANY REAL RUFF TRUCK VIOLENT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 14, 2019 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON HITTING A BUMP WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT OUT OF HIS DRIVING LANE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD INITIALLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SEYMOUR FORD (2601 SEYMOUR RD, JACKSON, MI 49201) WHERE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 1, 2019 · crash

“TRUCK SHAKING, WAS TOLD TIRE INFLATION WAS NOT BEING MAINTAINED. ALL VALVE STEMS LEAKING SINCE DAY I BOUGHT IT. ONE TIRE HAD FIX A FLAT IN IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IT TOOK FORD 6 MONTHS TO REPLACE VALVE STEMS CORRECTLY. AFTER THIS TRUCK STILL SHAKES ON ANY ROUGH ROAD, IF HIT ANY REAL RUFF TRUCK VIOLENT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 14, 2019 · crash

“MY TAILGATE OPENED UP WHILE PULLING A CAMPER WHILE IN A RIGHT TURN AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TAILGATE AND 5TH WHEEL CAMPER WHICH I WAS TOWING”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 30, 2018 · crash

“OCCASIONALLY, THE TAILGATE WILL AUTOMATICALLY FALL, WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE, FROM A STATIONARY POSITION. I VERIFIED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE KEY FOB IS NOT IN MY POCKET. THANKFULLY, IT HASN'T HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 50K MILES ON IT. IT STARTED, FOR ME,…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 30, 2020

2017 Ford F-350 — common questions

Is the 2017 Ford F-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 729 complaints put the 2017 model at #1 of 53 F-350 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 F-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (266 complaints), suspension (201 complaints), tires & wheels (58 complaints).

Does the 2017 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Ford F-350. 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-350 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-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2017 compare to other F-350 years?

What are the most common 2017 Ford F-350 problems?

Does the 2017 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Open NHTSA investigations

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2017 Ford F-350 — common questions

Is the 2017 Ford F-350 reliable?

What are the most common 2017 F-350 problems?

Does the 2017 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Is the 2017 Ford F-350 under NHTSA investigation?

Which Ford F-350 years should you avoid?

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