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At a glance
This page covers 22 recalls and 1325 owner complaints for the 2017 Ford F-150.
Powertrain and engine complaints dominate what owners of the 2017 Ford F-150 report, with the transmission drawing the most attention by a wide margin. Owners frequently describe sudden, harsh downshifts that cause an abrupt drop in speed, sometimes enough to prompt emergency braking from following vehicles. Some report the transmission becoming unresponsive after one of these events, with the shift indicator going dark and the truck refusing to restart. Separate from the transmission, a notable share of engine complaints center on the 3.5-liter EcoBoost, where owners describe cam phaser and timing chain failures, often showing up well before 100,000 miles. A smaller number of owners report the body control module failing repeatedly, with symptoms including lights flashing uncontrollably and the problem returning even after the module has been replaced.
1,325
Total Complaints
38
Crash-Related
20
Fire-Related
24
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Ford F-150 has 22 recalls, the most serious being a transmission shift linkage pin that can come loose or go missing, leaving the vehicle unable to respond to gear changes or causing it to roll away even when showing "Park" on the dash.
A separate transmission concern involves a signal loss between the transmission range sensor and the main powertrain computer that can force an unexpected downshift into second gear at speed. The front passenger airbag inflator can rupture in a crash, sending metal fragments into the cabin. On vehicles with aftermarket MOOG ball joints installed, the ball joint stud can break and cause loss of front wheel control. Front seat belt pretensioners on Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab models can ignite nearby carpet or insulation when they deploy in a crash. Two seat-related recalls cover inadequate welds: one on the passenger seat belt anchor and another on the driver's seat back frame, both of which can fail to hold an occupant in a crash. The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle on crew cab models can also separate from its bracket. On 3.5L EcoBoost models, the brake master cylinder can leak fluid into the brake booster, softening pedal feel and extending stopping distance. Vehicles with an engine block heater can develop corroded wiring at the cable splice connector, raising the risk of a fire when the heater is plugged in, and prior repairs for this issue may not have fully resolved it. Door latches can open while driving due to a kinked cable or freezing in cold weather, and certain chrome door handle accessory kits can
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
A software problem may prevent the instrument panel cluster screen from displaying when the vehicle starts, hiding information like gear selection, speed, and warning lights.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will update the instrument panel cluster software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster may lose power when the engine starts in cold weather. Gauges including the transmission gear position indicator may not light up, preventing drivers from seeing this critical information.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster software at no cost to restore power and gauge illumination.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission range sensor may lose signal to the powertrain control module, causing the transmission to suddenly shift down into second gear.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake master cylinder may develop a leak that allows brake fluid to seep from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
What the fix does
The brake master cylinder will be replaced. If it is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake master cylinder may develop a leak that allows brake fluid to seep from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the brake master cylinder. If leaking is confirmed, the brake booster will also be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball joint dust boot may be misaligned and the alignment hole and warning tag may be missing, potentially causing improper ball joint alignment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ball joint and replace it if necessary at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake master cylinder may develop a leak, allowing brake fluid to seep into the brake booster.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged during a previous repair, creating a potential failure point.
What the fix does
Dealers will disable the engine block heater. When replacement cables are available, dealers will replace the heater cord at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water and contaminants can enter the engine block heater cable's splice connector, causing corrosion and damage that may prevent the heater from working properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will disable the block heater cable at no cost. Once parts are available, dealers will replace the engine block heater cable at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During a crash, the front seat belt pretensioner may deploy and create sparks that ignite carpeting or insulation in the B-pillar area.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove B-pillar insulation and wiring tape, then install heat-resistant tape to prevent ignition.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A small metal pin that holds a park pawl component in place may not have been installed. Without it, the transmission can lose Park function even when the shifter shows Park, risking unintended vehicle movement.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transmission and install the missing roll pin if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A roll pin may be missing from the transmission, which could cause the Park function to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your transmission and install the roll pin if it's missing, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A roll pin holding the transmission shift linkage may come loose or fall out. If this happens, moving the shift lever won't change gears—the transmission stays in whatever gear it was in, and the shift indicator shows wrong information.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the roll pin and install an updated replacement pin.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The pin connecting the shift linkage to the transmission can come loose or fall out, causing the transmission to stop responding when you move the shift lever.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the pin with an updated part at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The door latch actuation cable may bend or kink, or water may enter the latch and cause it to freeze. Either condition can cause doors to open while the truck is driving, even though they appear closed.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the door latch cables, repair them if needed, and install water shields over the latches at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt anchor on manually-adjusted front passenger seats may not be properly welded to the seat cushion frame, which could affect seat belt safety in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger manual seat track at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash instead of deploying safely.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle may not be securely attached to its mounting bracket, reducing its ability to restrain occupants in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly and replace the attaching rivet as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's seat back frame has inadequate welds that may fail in a crash, preventing the seat from properly restraining the occupant's head and body.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat back frame and replace it if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Chrome door handle covers installed as an accessory may cause doors to unlatch during a side impact collision.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold weather after starting, the instrument cluster display may fail temporarily, hiding the selected gear position and other gauges. This could cause unintended vehicle movement.
What the fix does
The dealer will reprogram your instrument cluster to restore proper display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold weather, the instrument cluster may lose power after startup. When this happens, gauges including the transmission gear position indicator won't light up.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster at no charge to restore power and gauge illumination.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
