VehicleVerdict

2017 Ford F-450 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2017 Ford F-450 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

26

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other F-450 years?

F-450 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted33 complaints1990: 2 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 12 complaints2012: 26 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 4 complaints2017: 26 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 32 complaints2020: 33 complaints
F-450 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-450 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Ford F-450 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure935%
Transmission727%
Electrical System312%
Latches & Locks28%
Seats14%
Lighting14%
Engine14%
Airbags14%
Other14%

Does the 2017 Ford F-450 have recalls?

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

19V401000OtherMay 29, 2019 · 22 units

Defect

VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists (VCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550, 2014 E-350 and E-450, 2015 F-250 and F-450, 2016 E-450, 2017 E-350, F-450 and E-450, 2018 F-350, 2010 E-450, 2005-2006 E-450, 2009 E-450 and Chevrolet C4500-based Type I and Type III ambulances equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The monitors may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.

Consequence

The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists will work with ASA to notify the owners, and remedy the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics at 1-800-384-4400.

19V342000LightingMay 3, 2019 · 17 units

Defect

Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Taylor Made will notify owners and Whelen will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2019. Owners may contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V087000 (Structure, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 16, 2022

“The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-450. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH there was a vibration coming through the steering and the entire vehicle. The contact stated there was an abnormal bang-like explosion that had come from under the floorboards. The contact stated that a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 30, 2022 · crash

“I HAVE A 2017 FORD SUPER DUTY F450 PLATINUM. MULTIPLE TIME THE TAILGATE HAS DROPPED O ITS OWN WHILE IM DRIVING THE TRUCK. KEYS ARE RESTING IN CONSOLE NOT TOUCHING RELEASE BUTTON AND DROPS ON ITS OWN. HAVE CHECKED AND DOUBLED CHECKED CLOSING FIRMLY. STILL OPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 6, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD F-450. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO LOCK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOT COLD. THE CONTACT CALLED SIEMANS FORD AT [PHONE] (LOCATED AT 8961 RED ARROW HWY, BRIDGMAN, MI 49106) AND WAS INFORMED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · January 2, 2018

“WAS PASSING BY THE TRUCK THE ALARM WAS GOING OFF, UPON OPENING THE DOOR THERE WAS WATER POURING OUT OF THE DOOR, THEN I NOTICED THE FRONT DASH WAS SOAKING WET. THE CONSOLE HAD SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER IN IT. THE TRUCK WAS FLATBEDDED TO COLUMBIA FORD, FOUND SUNROOF WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY FROM FORD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 10, 2019

2017 Ford F-450 — common questions

Is the 2017 Ford F-450 reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2017 F-450 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (9 complaints), transmission (7 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2017 Ford F-450 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Ford F-450. 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-450 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-450 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-450 years to avoid are 2020, 2019. The cleanest record among F-450 years belongs to 2010.

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.