The Lemon Index2017 Ford F-150.
The 2017 Ford F-150 is worse than average by owner complaints: 1,516 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 160, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 28 recalls, and it gets 16 to 21 mpg combined. The best Ford F-150 year is 2007.
Covers the whole F-Series (F-150 plus the F-250/F-350 Super Duty): Ford reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 95 YouTube videos about the 2015–2020 F-150, 22.7M views. The 2017 is the same truck.
- Transmission & shifter1.3M views
2015-2017 F150: Transmission Fluid and Filter (6R80)MasterJacks · 492K views · 6 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors636K views
2015 - 2016 Ford F150 P1289 - Overheat Out Of Nowhere - here is the fix - Cylinder Head Temp SensorFord Boss Me - Auto / Politics / Family · 284K views · 4 videos - Oil changes & service599K views
Ford F150 Oil and Filter Change DIY (2015 - 2020) 5.0L V8Smackey's Garage · 291K views · 3 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers491K views
2017-2020 Ford F-150 3.5L Ecoboost Startup Rattle Fix: Make Sure You Are Getting The Latest Phasers!FordTechMakuloco · 347K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Oil dilution & oil burning445K views
Oil Consumption Update - 2019 Ford F150 5.0LEliminator Performance · 252K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical395K views
2010 - 2015 Ford F150 won't start - the #1 and 2 reason why, " Dash Flickers " Fuel Pump Fuse BlownFord Boss Me - Auto / Politics / Family · 324K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door266K views
2018 F150 Cabin Air Filter InstallSmackey's Garage · 266K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4260K views
F150 2015 - 2018 4x4 Hub Lockout to eliminate 4x4 Issues - It's Just this Dang EasyFord Boss Me - Auto / Politics / Family · 164K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ford F-150 Pickup 2015-2020 13th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 268K views
2015-2017 Ford F-150 Top Reliability Issues/ProblemsCamerons Car Reviews · 267K views
FORD Continues to Battle Transmission Problems my 2018 F150 back at the Dealer for the 4thTime LEMONCHUNKY CATS FISHING · 157K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 3,202 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford F-150 year. 2017 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 19K to 55K miles on the car (1,989 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 19K–39K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 19K–39K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 39K–117K miles
Recalls 28
- electrical 2026
The instrument cluster may lose power after initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures.
- transmission & drivetrain 2026
A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
- back over prevention 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Show all 28 recalls
- brakes 2025
The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
- transmission & drivetrain 2022
A radial damper inside the driveshaft may move out of position over time, which can cause a driveshaft imbalance and result in a fracture.
- back over prevention 2022
Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.
- brakes 2022
The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
- body structure 2022
Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
- suspension 2021
The ball joint may have a misaligned dust boot and may be missing alignment hole and installation warning tag, which may lead to improper alignment of the ball joint.
- steering 2020
The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.
- brakes 2020
The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
- body structure 2019
If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
- latches/locks/linkages 2019
Water may enter the electrical wiring system and cause a short circuit, activating the switch and releasing the tailgate latches.
- engine 2019
During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
- engine 2018
Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
- seat belts 2018
If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
The pin that attaches the transmission shift linkage to the transmission may come out, preventing the transmission from responding to movement of the shift lever.
- latches/locks/linkages 2017
The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch.
- seats 2017
The seat belt anchor may not be adequately welded to the seat cushion frame.
- airbags 2017
The air bag inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may rupture in the event of a crash.
- seat belts 2017
The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket.
- latches/locks/linkages 2017
These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision.
- seats 2017
In the event of a crash, the seat back frame may not restrain the occupant due to having inadequate welds.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
These transmissions may have a damaged park rod actuating plate that can result in unexpected vehicle movement even though the transmission has been shifted to 'Park.' As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requ…
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
In these vehicles, the instrument cluster may lose power after the initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures.
- fuel system, gasoline 2016
The frame reinforcement bracket may not have been attached to the front fuel tank strap, allowing the fuel tank strap to separate from the frame.
- fuel system, diesel 2016
The protective shield on the fuel conditioning module may have inadequate adhesion, allowing the shield to become dislodged.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
What to pay
Typical dealer asking price for a 2017 Ford F-150 by mileage, from 131 dealer listings nationwide (November 2026). Under the great-deal number is about 10% below typical; over the high number is more than 5% above.
| Miles | Great deal at or under | Typical | Too high at or over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50K–75K | $25.6K | $28.5K | $29.9K+ |
| 75K–100K | $23.4K | $26.0K | $27.3K+ |
| 100K–125K | $20.4K | $22.7K | $23.8K+ |
| 125K–150K | $17.1K | $19.0K | $19.9K+ |
| 150K+ | $13.3K | $14.8K | $15.6K+ |
Private seller: coming soon. Private sellers often ask less than dealers, but we only publish a number once it's measured.
Salvage or rebuilt title: usually sells for well under a clean title. Estimates run from about 27% less (a matched study of 2,389 cars) to as much as 50% less (Edmunds). This is a guide, not a price; get an inspection.
Asking prices, not sale prices. Trim, engine, 4x4, condition and location move the price. Estimates, not an appraisal.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 567 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The 2017 powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
- Inoperative rear door lower latches during freezing
- Some 2017 f-150 and transit vehicles built on or before 15-oct 2016 and equipped with a 9.75…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenUnintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up2026
- OpenSogefi secondary diesel fuel filter leak2024
- ClosedUnintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up2025–2026
- ClosedPower tailgate release systems2021–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 Crew Cab PU/CC 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford F-150 Crew Cab PU/CC 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Front wheels violently wobble when crossing road deviations like potholes ,bridge joints and angled rr crossings . Originally it started at highway speeds but has been happening at city street speeds more and more.
2017 Ford F-150 owner · NHTSA complaint 11289966
More owner reports
In motion on highway, truck has experienced "death wobble" on (2) separate occasions
NHTSA complaint 11281322
Front end wheels and suspension vibrates badly when you hit a small rough spot or expansion gap at highway speeds. Ford refers to this as steering oscillation, the internet refers to this as a "death wobble"
NHTSA complaint 11192367
Quick answers
Is the 2017 Ford F-150 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 160; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford F-150 year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2017 Ford F-150 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (54%), suspension (42%) and body structure (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford F-150 have?
28 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Ford F-150 get?
16 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 Ford F-150 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2017 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 19,000 and 55,000 miles. The middle report was at 32,000 miles, from 1,989 complaints.
Does the 2017 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2017 Ford F-150 cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Ford F-150 have?
2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Ford F-150 year is better than the 2017?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety 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 year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works