The Lemon Index
201620185th generation
22 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2017 Ford Transit 282017 Chevrolet Express 122017 Ford Transit Connect 18
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V466000 (equipment), 19V401000 (equipment) and 19V342000 (lights) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Ford sent dealers 30 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 22 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 22K miles (2K to 36K km) on the car (19 of all 22 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2017 Ford econoline super duty van. Consumer writes with concerns for multiple malfunctions and safety issues with vehicle.
2017 Ford E-Series owner · NHTSA complaint 11139813
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 30 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot…
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or…
- Some 2015-2019 Transit vehicles built on or before 31-Dec-2018 and some 2017-2018 E-450…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Equipment · recall issued 2019
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Equipment · recall issued 2019
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Lights · recall issued 2019
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Show all 4 recalls
- Seats · recall issued 2019
The seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedTrimark 060-1650 door latch failures2020–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Every Ford E-Series year. 2017 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2017 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-e-series/?y=2017" title="Ford E-Series reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="698" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-e-series/2017/">Lemon Index</a> (2017 Ford E-Series reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2017 Ford E-Series reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 39; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford E-Series year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2017 Ford E-Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (32%), suspension (23%) and engine (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford E-Series have?
4 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2017 Ford E-Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
What Ford E-Series year is better than the 2017?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works