Is hard shifting and gear hunting a known issue with the 2017 Ford F 150?

21 NHTSA complaints have been filed about hard shifting and gear hunting on the 2017 Ford F 150 (2024-12 → 2026-07). Reported component: POWER TRAIN. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11638866): "2017 F150 transmission 10R80 started failing at 80K miles and completely failed at 113K. Dealer was asked to inspect the transmission but they misdiagnosed it" Source: NHTSA.

Is oil pan and valve cover oil leaks a known issue with the 2017 Ford F 150?

10 NHTSA complaints have been filed about oil pan and valve cover oil leaks on the 2017 Ford F 150 (2024-12 → 2025-07). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11637015): "My 2017 Ford F150 STX with 3.5L Ecoboost engine was recently noted to have a leaking oil pan. I was told by my mechanic that the OEM plastic/composite Ford oil pans have a chronic problem with leaking seals" Source: NHTSA.

Is door latch freezing in cold weather a known issue with the 2017 Ford F 150?

14 NHTSA complaints have been filed about door latch freezing in cold weather on the 2017 Ford F 150 (2024-12 → 2025-06). Reported component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11635957): "The door locks on all four doors keep freezing and will not stay locked. I have to thaw them out with a hair dryer to get them to lock closed" Source: NHTSA.

Is front brake hose fluid leak a known issue with the 2017 Ford F 150?

5 NHTSA complaints have been filed about front brake hose fluid leak on the 2017 Ford F 150 (2025-03 → 2025-08). Reported component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11671025): "The contact stated that while driving in the snow at slow speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but traveled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed" Source: NHTSA.

Is rearview camera blank or distorted image a known issue with the 2017 Ford F 150?

5 NHTSA complaints have been filed about rearview camera blank or distorted image on the 2017 Ford F 150 (2025-01 → 2025-07). Reported component: BACK OVER PREVENTION. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11670969): "Rear view camera shuts off intermittently or shows a degraded image while backing up which creates a safety hazard because I almost crash into objects or other vehicles due to limited visibility" Source: NHTSA.

Is rear defroster wiring overheat and glass fracture a known issue with the 2017 Ford F 150?

3 NHTSA complaints have been filed about rear defroster wiring overheat and glass fracture on the 2017 Ford F 150 (2025-01 → 2025-03). Reported component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11636104): "The wiring for the rear defrost caught fire. A week later it caused the rear glass to completely shatter. We didn't know it was the rear defrost wiring until we had the glass replaced and were able to see the wires fried" Source: NHTSA.

2017 Ford F 150 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

Q: Is cam phaser rattle at cold start a known issue with the 2017 Ford F 150?

52 NHTSA complaints have been filed about cam phaser rattle at cold start on the 2017 Ford F 150 (2024-12 → 2025-08). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11668055): "The contact stated that upon cold start-ups, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine. During the failure, the rattling noise was present for approximately 20 seconds before self-correcting; however, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is uncommanded downshift at highway speed a known issue with the 2017 Ford F 150?

52 NHTSA complaints have been filed about uncommanded downshift at highway speed on the 2017 Ford F 150 (2024-12 → 2026-07). Reported component: POWER TRAIN. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11675766): "Driving at 70mph on the interstate on 07/23/2025 and vehicle violently downshifted while in cruise control. Rear tires locked briefly. Driver and passenger were restrained by the seat belts or there would have been a loss of control. I was able to pull to the side of the road" Source: NHTSA.

The 2017 Ford F 150 carries 18 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering engine. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Hard shifting and gear hunting.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

18 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ENGINE

Campaign #18V894000 · Dec 18, 2018

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

ENGINE

Campaign #19V278000 · Aug 4, 2019

Issue: 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 and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.

Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Campaign #18V568000 · Aug 31, 2018

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. 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.

Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S27.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Campaign #17V652000 · Oct 16, 2017

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. 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. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.

Risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S33.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #17V529000 · Aug 28, 2017

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 and Mustang vehicles. The air bag inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may rupture in the event of a crash.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S26.

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Campaign #17V526000 · Aug 28, 2017

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab. The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Risk: If the left rear inflatable seat belt buckle separates from it's mounting bracket, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed October 18, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C12.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Campaign #17V331000 · May 22, 2017

Issue: 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."

Risk: If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Campaign #17V053000 · Jan 24, 2017

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 trucks equipped with an eight-inch productivity screen. In these vehicles, the instrument cluster may lose power after the initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures. Several gauges, including the transmission gear position indicator, may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."

Risk: If the transmission gear position indicator fails to illuminate, the driver may be unable to tell the transmission shift position, increasing the risk of a crash or injury from unintended vehicle movement.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C01.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Campaign #17V332000 · May 22, 2017

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles equipped with a manual driver's seat back recliner mechanism. In the event of a crash, the seat back frame may not restrain the occupant due to having inadequate welds. As such, these vehicles may not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202a, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Risk: If the occupant is not adequately restrained in the event of a crash, they have an increased risk of injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began on June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C08.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Campaign #17V671000 · Oct 24, 2017

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with ten-speed transmissions. 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.

Risk: The disconnected linkage may cause the vehicle to not move forward or backward as selected by the driver with the shift lever. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roll pin with an updated part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S36.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #18V213000 · Apr 4, 2018

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.

Risk: Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.

SEATS

Campaign #17V599000 · Sep 25, 2017

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks with manually-adjusted front passenger seats. The seat belt anchor may not be adequately welded to the seat cushion frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages," and 207, "Seating Systems."

Risk: The seat belt buckle weld may fail, preventing the occupants from being properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger manual seat track, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C17.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Campaign #20V332000 · Aug 6, 2020

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.

Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

Campaign #21E027000 · Dec 4, 2021

Issue: Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain MOOG K500359 ball joints, for aftermarket installation on 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks. 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.

Risk: An incorrectly installed ball joint may cause the ball joint stud to break, which can compromise front wheel control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: DRiV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the ball joint, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Tenneco Automotive customer service at 1-877-489-6659.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

Campaign #22V150000 · Nov 3, 2022

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Campaign #25V236000 · Nov 4, 2025

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

Risk: A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S37. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 22V-150.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #26V237000 · Apr 14, 2026

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.

Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Campaign #26V370000 · Sep 6, 2026

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 17V053. The instrument cluster may lose power after initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures. Several gauges, including the transmission gear position indicator, may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."

Risk: An instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as gear position or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will update the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Ford F 150.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Action #EA26001 · opened Jan 30, 2026 · linked recall 26V237
On March 21, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles (subject vehicles) manufactured by For…
View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Hard shifting and gear hunting

POWER TRAIN

21 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12 → 2026-07

“2017 F150 transmission 10R80 started failing at 80K miles and completely failed at 113K. Dealer was asked to inspect the transmission but they misdiagnosed it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11638866

“Our 2017 Ford F150 Raptor is having issues with hard shifting. It does a clunking and jerking noise while changing into certain gears, 3rd and 4th. It sounds like the transmission is about to fall out. Ford has had to do a software diagnostic on it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11752997

“On a regular and routine basis, the vehicle is known to have difficulty in shifting between 3rd and 5th gear. Often times, while shifting, the transmission will hesitate to shift before lurching into the next gear”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11653618

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cam phaser rattle at cold start

ENGINE

52 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12 → 2025-08

“The contact stated that upon cold start-ups, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine. During the failure, the rattling noise was present for approximately 20 seconds before self-correcting; however, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11668055

“During cold start and sometimes during a warm start the engine rattles. Took to local mechanic and the cam phasers and timing chain are bad. Truck was not covered on recall of newer engines”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11666382

“The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle on several occasions, the engine made an abnormal rattling sound. The vehicle was taken a dealer, where it was diagnosed that all four Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) units needed to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11678172

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Oil pan and valve cover oil leaks

ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12 → 2025-07

“My 2017 Ford F150 STX with 3.5L Ecoboost engine was recently noted to have a leaking oil pan. I was told by my mechanic that the OEM plastic/composite Ford oil pans have a chronic problem with leaking seals”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11637015

“My 2017 Ford F-150 is experiencing an oil pan leak. F150 model is equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine. This is a lack of RTV adhesion at the oil pan seal. My dealership wants over 1k to fix which I refuse to pay”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11674446

“I took it to a local shop I’m familiar with, and he said both valve covers were warped, and there is a TSB out from Ford about this issue. The valve covers, over time, will warp, causing oil to slosh out onto the hot exhaust manifold, and everything else”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11668497

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door latch freezing in cold weather

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

14 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12 → 2025-06

“The door locks on all four doors keep freezing and will not stay locked. I have to thaw them out with a hair dryer to get them to lock closed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11635957

“On several occasions, both the drivers front door and passenger front doors have opened while driving without activating the door handle. This only occurs when it is wet with rain or snow and below freezing outside”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11637394

“My door latches have been freezing again making it impossible to close the door. In some cases, you don't know until the door just flies open”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11645572

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front brake hose fluid leak

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

5 NHTSA complaints · 2025-03 → 2025-08

“The contact stated that while driving in the snow at slow speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but traveled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11671025

“Front brake flexible hose assembly failure without warning leading to loss of brake function. Luckily this was noticed during start up while parked. Brake fluid discharged with each brake pedal depression”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11650184

“The contact stated that while coming to a stop, there was an abnormal screeching sound while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11678827

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Uncommanded downshift at highway speed

POWER TRAIN

52 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12 → 2026-07

“Driving at 70mph on the interstate on 07/23/2025 and vehicle violently downshifted while in cruise control. Rear tires locked briefly. Driver and passenger were restrained by the seat belts or there would have been a loss of control. I was able to pull to the side of the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675766

“Loss of gear at highway speeds. Went from 10th gear to 1st. Tires locked up and an error for the drive train showed up on the dash. Pulled over, restarted vehicle and it seemed to work. This has happened 3 times since”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11650852

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11658419

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rearview camera blank or distorted image

BACK OVER PREVENTION

5 NHTSA complaints · 2025-01 → 2025-07

“Rear view camera shuts off intermittently or shows a degraded image while backing up which creates a safety hazard because I almost crash into objects or other vehicles due to limited visibility”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11670969

“The contact stated that while shifted in reverse, the rearview camera intermittently failed to display an image from behind the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the digital screen displayed a blue or colorful distorted image”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11646939

“Back up camera blue screen in 2017 ford f150”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11658483

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear defroster wiring overheat and glass fracture

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-01 → 2025-03

“The wiring for the rear defrost caught fire. A week later it caused the rear glass to completely shatter. We didn't know it was the rear defrost wiring until we had the glass replaced and were able to see the wires fried”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11636104

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11649518

“Was driving down the highway and there was a strong smell like something electrical was burning. I thought it was someone's brakes or clutch burning. About 3 minutes later I stopped and went into a store and when I came out my whole back window was shattered”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11642713

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

200 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Ford F 150 reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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