2017 Ford F-150 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report transmission concerns, especially unexpected downshifts, hard or delayed engagement and shuddering, with many complaints filed between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles. A second cluster involves cold-start engine rattle that dealers attribute to the cam phasers, and a smaller but noticeable set describes oil pan leaks. Reports span a wide mileage range, from trucks under 20,000 miles to ones past 150,000, so condition and service history matter more than age alone.

1. 1
   Engine

   Cold-start engine rattle (cam phasers)

   • 199 complaints (14%)
   • median 73,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (127 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $5,574 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe a loud rattling or ticking from the engine compartment on start-up, often fading once the engine warms but returning on later starts. Owners frequently say the dealer or an independent shop diagnosed worn cam phasers, and some mention a prior repair or reprogram that did not resolve the noise. Several note the work was not covered because a customer satisfaction program had expired or their vehicle was not included. Reported from roughly 35,000 to 150,000 miles, most often noticed on cold start-ups.

   What to check: Start the truck from cold and listen for a rattle or tick in the first few seconds; ask for service records showing whether the cam phasers or related programming were addressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission shuddered while attempting to accelerate. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine at start-up. The cam phasers were replaced by an independent mechanic. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11689874, filed 2025-09, 48,000 miles

   “The contact's son owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11591519, filed 2024-05, 87,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Unexpected downshift or harsh shifting (transmission)

   • 504 complaints (34%)
   • median 91,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (151 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 41 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the transmission jerking, shuddering or suddenly downshifting to a lower gear while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with the powertrain warning light coming on and the truck refusing to go above a low gear. Some complaints state the dealer diagnosed internal transmission damage or a failed leadframe, while others report the truck was repaired under a recall and the symptom returned afterward. Several say the dealer could not reproduce the concern or called the behavior normal. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 130,000 miles, often during steady-speed driving or light acceleration.

   Recall 26V237000Recall 18V213000Recall 17V6710004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and light throttle to feel for shudder or abrupt downshifts, and ask whether recall 26V237000 and any transmission software updates were performed. A scan-tool check for stored powertrain codes is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); the vehicle started making a loud clunking sound while shifting from reverse or drive. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,782.”

   NHTSA complaint #11755883, filed 2026-08, 95,782 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle jerked while in first gear and briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. The gear shifter notification disappeared. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle was driving roughly before downshifting to first gear. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11658419, filed 2025-05, 66,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Rear window or moonroof glass breaking

   • 90 complaints (6%)
   • median 42,500 mi at 3.3 yrs old (52 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the rear window or sliding moonroof shattering or failing to close properly without an impact, sometimes shortly after remote start or while closing a door. One owner reports the dealer said the moonroof guide was the cause and quoted a repair cost, and another says the rear defroster was blamed for the cracked glass. Repairs were often paid by the owner. Reported from about 30,000 to 120,000 miles, often in cool or freezing weather.

   What to check: Inspect the rear glass and moonroof tracks for cracks, misalignment or slow movement, and operate the moonroof fully open and closed during the test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The weather was slightly below freezing and my truck was parked in my drive. I used the remote start function on my key fob to allow the truck to warm up before I got in. After a few minutes I got in the truck. While the truck was parked and upon closing the door I heard glass shatter behind me. When I looked the entire plate of back glass on the truck had, for lack of a better word, exploded. Top to bottom and side to side the glass had completely broken. There was glass both inside my truck and in the bed of the truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #11384596, filed 2020-12, 80,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 5 MPH out of the driveway, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's husband then heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the rear window cracked. The contact called an independent mechanic and was informed that the defroster had heated up and cracked the rear window. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or the dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11649518, filed 2025-03, 120,000 miles

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.