Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
9
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 F-150?
Avoid — the electrical system
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
7 fire-related complaints on the electrical system
Brakes: 59 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 6,400–47,777 mi
Reliability score 4.8/10 — below the segment average
9 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2017 Ford F-150? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 273 owner reports
· tends to show around 71,785 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 250 owner reports
· tends to show around 76,560 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
body — 84 owner reports
· tends to show around 28,773 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
electrical — 68 owner reports
· tends to show around 44,949 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 44,949 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 9 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2017 F-150· powertrain
Bought truck drove 40 miles home starting making ticking noise. Called dealer said common problem took to dealership coundnt fine problem. Tonight the motor blew up. Dealership not answering phone calls. Truck only has 30000 miles on it. Don't know what to do . Technican…
My 2017 F150 is 7 years old with 80K mileage. Engine problem: Cold start ticking/tapping/rattle noise. Ford claimed it sent a letter in 2021 but I never received. Googled and found there are large amount of the same complaints on 2017-2020 F150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The…
There has been a continuous oil leak from the oil pan since the vehicle was first purchased from the dealer. The manufacturer is aware of this issue and has issued a TSB for all vehicles from the Kansas and Detroit plants that are affected by a defective oil pan. The…
Had a problem with your 2017 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab
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.
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 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with ten-speed transmissions
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.8 out of 10 based on 1,066 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Ford F-150 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2017 Ford F-150?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 Ford F-150 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 7 fire-related complaints on the electrical system; Brakes: 59 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 6,400–47,777 mi; Reliability score 4.8/10 — below the segment average; 9 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Ford F-150?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 273 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,785 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Ford F-150 a good used car to buy?
It scores 4.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,066 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 71,785 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Ford F-150?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 273 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,785 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 71,785 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-150 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Ford F-150?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,066 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 11 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Ford/F-150.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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