This article supersedes TSB 23-2330 to update the Parts List. Some 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak from the oil pan RTV seal. This may be due to various concerns with the oil pan. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the oil pan with the later style oil pan.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford F-150 engine problems
moderate 250 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
250
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 250 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Ford F-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 250 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Engine accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the sound of a mechanical typewriter. The noise in question may be heard on some engines when engine temperatures reach 150°F (65°C) or higher and engine speed is at idle up to approximately 1700 RPM. It can typically be heard at the front wheel well and is often isolated to the transmission bell housing or oil pan area. The typewriter noise tick rate can be faster or slower and is not detrimental to the engine function or durability and has no short or long t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This article supersedes TSB 23-2083 to update the Service Procedure and the Part List. Some 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak from the oil pan RTV seal. This may be due to various concerns with the oil pan. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the oil pan with the later style oil pan.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2017-2020 F-150 and 2018-2020 Expedition/Navigator vehicles built on or before 30-Nov-2019 and equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. Some vehicles may also exhibit an intermittent condition with no auto restart during auto-start-stop operation with or without diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P164C present in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to a worn variable camshaft timing (VCT) unit. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the VCT units.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 F-150's 3.5L and 2.7L EcoBoost engines show a pattern of predictable failure modes that Ford acknowledges but does not fully address. Cold-start cam phaser rattle—a loud knocking that disappears when the engine warms—is the most common complaint, often appearing between 40,000 and 90,000 miles. Owners report the rattle returns after repair using the same original part numbers; Ford redesigned phasers exist (ML3Z series) but are not automatically installed during warranty work. Many owners are turned away from coverage because they're outside eligibility windows for Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03 or 21B10.
Oil pan leaks are chronic and repeat. The plastic pan is glued to the block rather than bolted, and seals fail repeatedly on the same vehicle. Owners report needing 2–4 replacements over 2–5 year ownership spans, at $950–$3,000 per job. Some dealerships refuse to cover a third replacement, citing design limits on warranty support. Valve cover warping creates a fire hazard when hot oil pools on the exhaust manifold; Ford makes a corrected part but no recall exists.
Complete engine seizures and failures occur at unexpectedly low mileage (45,000–156,000 miles) with minimal or no warning. One vehicle caught fire on the highway; others require full engine replacement at $20,000+ after $2,000–$3,000 in prior repairs. Remanufactured engines are backordered with no delivery date. Owners who followed all scheduled maintenance report Ford denies liability once the original powertrain warranty expires.
Same Ford F-150 engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Cam Phaser Rattle and Failure
Loud rattling or knocking noise during cold start or after the engine sits. Owners report the noise dissipates as the engine warms. Progresses to loss of power, stalling, and engine timing failure. Affects vehicles across mileage ranges; some recur shortly after repair with the same parts.
When: Typically cold start or after extended idle; reported from 15,000 miles to 150,000 miles. Most commonly in the 40,000–90,000 mile range.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling, knocking, or clanking sound on cold start; Noise dissipates as engine warms; Engine hesitation or loss of power; Vehicle stalling at idle or low speed; Check engine light illuminated; Rough idle and vibration
Codes mentioned: P0022
Repairs/costs cited: Cam phasers replaced, timing chains replaced, chain tensioners replaced, valve covers replaced, gaskets replaced. Costs range $8,000 for full timing chain replacement. Replacement parts often use original defective part numbers (e.g., HL3Z-6256-CD, HL3Z-6C525-CD); new corrected part numbers exist (ML3Z-6256-A, ML3Z-6C525-A). Multiple failures reported using same original part numbers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03 (Cam Phaser Replacement) and 21B10 (PCM Software Update). Programs have time/mileage limits (claimed expiration dates, eligibility gaps). TSB 23-2143 referenced but with narrow coverage. Many owners report Ford refuses coverage after warranty expiration or outside program eligibility windows.
Oil Pan Leaks and Repeated Failures
Oil seeps from plastic/composite oil pan; often recurring despite replacement. Owners report multiple pan replacements (2–4 times) within 2–5 year intervals on the same vehicle. One owner noted the pan is glued to the block rather than bolted. Leaks can occur at any mileage.
When: Reported from first oil change onward; recurs every 2–5 years regardless of maintenance. Some occur as early as 15,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pooling under vehicle; Low oil level warnings or oil consumption; Minimal to heavy smoke from hood or wheel wells; Oil odor
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan replacement. Multiple owners required 2–4 replacements (costs ~$950–$3,000 per replacement). One owner reported dealership said they would not cover a third replacement; another facing a fourth replacement. Glue assembly method on pan-to-block joint noted by owner-engineer as design flaw.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 19-2205, TSB 20-2051, TSB 23-2083 issued. Some vehicles fall outside TSB coverage due to narrow model-year or serial-number restrictions. Manufacturer denies warranty coverage for repeat failures. Owners directed to NHTSA Hotline.
Valve Cover Warping and Oil Leaks
Plastic valve covers warp over time, causing oil to leak onto hot exhaust manifold, creating smoke and fire hazard. One owner reported $1,700 repair cost.
When: Timing not always specified; reported as gradually worsening over months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from valve covers; Smoke billowing from hood and wheel wells; Burning smell, scent of fire; Crack in valve cover
Repairs/costs cited: Valve cover replacement. Ford manufactures replacement covers from different material but does not issue recall. One owner paid $1,700 to replace both valve covers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB exists for issue per owner. Ford manufactures improved replacement parts but does not recall vehicles. No recall issued despite acknowledged fire risk.
Complete Engine Failure or Seizure
Total loss of engine function, requiring full engine replacement. Multiple owners report failure at low mileage (45,000–156,000 miles), some with no warning. One owner's truck caught fire on the highway; another had engine seize after low oil pressure warning.
When: Reported from 45,000 to 156,000 miles. Some instances preceded by low oil pressure warning or strange noise minutes before failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil pressure warning light; Strange 'muffler sounding' noise 5–10 minutes before failure; Loss of power while driving; Engine will not restart; No warning lights (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required. One owner faced $20,000 cost for new engine. One vehicle also had prior $2,000 in repairs including cam phaser replacement. Remanufactured engines on back order with no ETA.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed and cases opened. Remanufactured engines supplied but delayed. Manufacturer refers owners to NHTSA for investigation.
Oil Leak from Cracked Oil Valve Cover and Alternator Damage
Fractured oil valve cover allows oil to drain onto alternator and electrical connector, causing vehicle to stall on highway and fail to restart.
When: At approximately 80,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Unknown error message on instrument panel; Loss of power while driving; Vehicle will not restart
Repairs/costs cited: Oil valve cover replacement, alternator replacement, oil pressure sensor replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case filed.
Engine Fire on Highway
2017 Ford F-150 Raptor caught fire while being towed on back of an RV at 60 mph. Fire started from hood and grille assembly and engulfed both vehicles. Insurance company totaled both vehicles.
When: At approximately 45,846 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Fire starting from hood and grille assembly
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed total loss by insurance company; towed to salvage yard.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer made aware. Police and fire department reports filed.
Excessive Coolant Loss and Internal Engine Damage
2.7L EcoBoost engine experiences recurring coolant loss and internal engine damage (suspected cracked intake valves or coolant intrusion). Initially diagnosed as no issue; weeks later, dealership states new engine required.
When: Problem started with white smoke on cold start before November 2024; failure diagnosis May 23, 2025, at approximately unknown mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke from tail pipe on cold start; Recurring coolant loss; Signs of internal engine damage
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required. Extended warranty expired December 2023, before problem was diagnosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership initially found no issue; later advised engine replacement needed. Owner cites class action lawsuits and prior NHTSA complaints on same issue.
Blowing Oil Through Pistons and Head Gasket Failure
Brand-new truck (400 miles) diagnosed with oil blowing through pistons, requiring head replacement per TSB. Later diagnosed with head gasket failure and possible engine replacement.
When: At approximately 400 miles; later at higher mileage (timing unclear).
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle; Engine oil blowing through pistons
Repairs/costs cited: TSB 17-0007 references this issue in F-150s made June–October 2016. Dealership diagnostic machine produces code for either head or full engine replacement. Initial repair involved head replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 17-0007 issued. Owner in communication with Ford Corporate requesting new engine or vehicle replacement. Owner concerned that head replacement will permanently reduce vehicle value.
VCT (Variable Camshaft Timing) Rattle and Power Loss
Loud rattling noise from Ford-developed VCT system on cold start. Vehicle also exhibits reduced power output and unstable RPM. Owner reports Ford acknowledges this is a known issue in both Gen 1 and Gen 2 trucks, despite claim Gen 2 fixed the problem.
When: At approximately 56,000 miles; truck 86 months old at time of complaint.
Symptoms owners cite: Very loud rattling noise on cold start; Not maintaining steady RPM; Reduced power output; Risk of stalling on freeway
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed. Ford has financial aid program for owners under 70,000 miles or 84 months old; this owner denied due to age (86 months), though within mileage limit (56,000).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealership confirmed as known issue. Ford offers financial aid program with strict mileage and age cutoffs. Owner was denied coverage.
Engine Stalling and Shuddering After PCM Software Update
After receiving Customer Satisfaction Program 21B10 (PCM software update for cam phaser rattle), vehicle began to shudder and stall during acceleration. Intermittent initially at cold start, then became recurring.
When: At approximately 21,000 miles; after software update received.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuddering during acceleration; Vehicle lurching forward; Intermittent at first, then recurring
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired. Owner notes dealer warned that the software update could lead to other engine failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Satisfaction Program 21B10 issued. Dealer informed owner that subsequent Customer Satisfaction Programs have been issued to address failures caused by 21B10.
Intake Manifold Runner Control Failure
Intake manifold runner control becomes stuck, causing vehicle to enter LIMP mode and lose power during acceleration. Multiple warning lights illuminate.
When: At approximately 79,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to accelerate as intended when depressing accelerator; Vehicle enters LIMP mode; Multiple warning lights illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Intake manifold replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer notified but no assistance provided. Owner directed to NHTSA Hotline.
Engine Stalling at Idle and During Driving; Multiple Repair Attempts
Vehicle stalls without warning while idling at stops and while driving at low speeds (as low as 10 MPH and 35 MPH). Multiple repair attempts (turbo replacement, spark plug replacement) fail to resolve issue; eventually requires full engine replacement.
When: At approximately 83,000 miles, persisting to 97,800 miles at time of engine replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls without warning at idle; Vehicle stalls while driving at low speeds; Loud rattling sound under hood; No warning light initially
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo replaced, spark plugs replaced, then full engine replacement. Dealers and manufacturer could not determine root cause initially.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed VIN not included in recall. Owner referred to NHTSA Hotline.
Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Failure
Engine overheating warning light illuminates falsely while driving at high speed on highway; temperature gauge goes to full cold. Engine loses power, forcing driver to shoulder of road. Diagnosis reveals faulty sensor, not overheating.
When: At high-speed driving on I-94, high density traffic.
Symptoms owners cite: High temperature warning light illuminates; Temperature gauge reads full cold; Engine loses power
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder head temperature sensor replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No further information provided.
Starter Failure and Engine Seizure
Vehicle fails to start; starter is replaced but vehicle still fails to start. Diagnosis reveals engine has seized and requires replacement.
When: At approximately 118,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Engine has seized
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement initially attempted; full engine replacement required. Dealership estimated 1–2 months for engine arrival.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed and case opened. Owner referred to NHTSA Hotline.
Rough Idle, Excessive Oil Consumption, and Vibration
During cold start, engine idles roughly and vehicle vibrates violently. Engine consumes excessive oil. Vehicle shaking and vibrating at 45 MPH with check engine light blinking on and off.
When: At approximately 148,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal rattling sound during start-up; Excessive oil consumption; Rough idle and violent vibration at 45 MPH; Check engine light blinking on and off
Repairs/costs cited: Cam phasers diagnosed as faulty and requiring replacement. Repair not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no assistance offered. Vehicle not covered under Extended Coverage for cam phaser failure.
Engine Overheating and Power Loss
Engine overheating warning light illuminates while driving; vehicle loses motive power. After cooling, vehicle restarts and can be driven to destination, but shortly thereafter exhibits abnormal sound from engine compartment.
When: At approximately 100,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating warning light illuminates; Loss of motive power; Abnormal sound from engine compartment after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed with failed cam phasers and failed head gasket; engine replacement recommended. Repair not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; advised contact to report to NHTSA Hotline.
Engine Stalling Following Dealership Repair Service
After Ford dealership service to address cam adjustment (per recall letter), vehicle begins to stall at red lights when automatic engine control shuts off engine. When driver releases brake, vehicle stalls instead of restarting. Occurs at busy intersections, creating safety hazard.
When: After dealership service; timing of original service not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls at red lights; Vehicle stalls when brakes released after automatic engine shutoff; Occurs at busy intersections
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership visited twice but problem not addressed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to resolve despite two service visits.
Synthesized from 250 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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 manufacturer is refusing to issue a recall despite the issue being wide spread and the dealership reporting that if left unfixed,…
Had engine trouble with your 2017 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2017 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 250 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 170 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 50,000 and 97,800 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 97,800. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.