Some F-Super Duty and F-150 vehicles equipped with trailer tow mirror may exhibit various exterior rear view mirror functional concerns that require replacement after diagnosis. To properly determine if the defect is warrantable, cleaning and close inspection of the affected mirror may be required. To aid in proper warranty determination, the Rear-View Mirror Analysis general service bulletin (GSB) has been updated with a detailed cleaning procedure that should be followed prior to any inspection. New labor operations (17682ZZ or 17682ZZT) have been created that covers the cleaning and inspection process and may be used even if condition of failure is non-warrantable. Ford has inspected nume
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford F-150 visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Ford F-150 have filed 40 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 F-150 | 149 |
| 2014 F-150 | 121 |
| 2015 F-150 | 73 |
| 2016 F-150 | 109 |
| 2017 F-150 (this page) | 40 |
| 2018 F-150 | 61 |
| 2019 F-150 | 16 |
| 2020 F-150 | 52 |
| 2021 F-150 | 113 |
2fires
What stands out
Owners have filed 40 visibility 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.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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 2021 F-150 vehicles built on or before 01-Feb-2021, 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine, 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or 5.0L engine, 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine may exhibit a high pitched squeal or whistle type noise from the engine compartment after the engine is shut off. This condition may be due to the air conditioning (A/C) low side system pressure exceeding the high side pressure resulting in equalization of A/C system pressures through the A/C compressor. An updated A/C compressor has been released to resolve this concern. For claiming, use causal part 19703 and applicable labor operations in Sec
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2022 F-150, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty and 2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit poor air conditioning (A/C) performance. Workshop Manual (WSM) diagnostic procedures have been updated to more accurately diagnose A/C performance concerns. Refer to the updated Diagnosis and Testing, and General Procedure in the WSM, Section 412-00 Climate Control System for diagnostic procedures
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2021 F-150, 2017-2021 F-Super Duty and 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a vista roof opening panel may exhibit a binding/sticking, glass stuck open or closed, noisy operation including chatter, rattling, or grinding. This may be due to the glass panel brackets cracking and/or breaking apart. The glass panel brackets are serviceable separately from the frame assembly and require the roof opening panel glass to be moved to the vent position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the roof opening panel glass brackets
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2020 F-150 and 2017-2020 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a rear defroster may have factory installed or service replacement rear glass that uses rear defroster electrical terminals with a plastic overmolded cover. The rear glass defroster terminals are not serviceable and should not be removed or detached from the glass during diagnosis or repairs. If the rear glass defroster terminals are separated from the glass, the rear glass assembly must be replaced.
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 shows a dominant pattern of rear window catastrophic failure. Owners describe spontaneous shattering without impact—often triggered by remote start with rear defroster activation in cold weather or shortly after. The glass explodes into fragments, scattering inside the cab and truck bed. Some owners report burning smells and exposed wires; one case documented defroster wiring that shorted and caught fire before the window burst. Incidents occur parked in garages or during normal light driving. Ford dealerships initially deny the defect; one owner found Technical Service Bulletin #22-2089 acknowledging the issue but failing to correct it.
The rear power sliding window also fails—top and bottom rails pop loose, windows bounce during driving, and water leaks into the frame. Rear door glass shatters without cause, and door latches fail.
Windshield wipers stick in the on position and cannot be turned off mid-drive, forcing drivers to pull over and restart the truck. One mechanic attributes this to water buildup on the passenger-side cowl where drain holes are insufficient, corroding the wiper pivot. HVAC systems run erratically with no fault codes—defroster slow to warm, AC fans stuck on high—making windshield defrosting hazardous in wet weather. Sunroof motors and frames fracture or become stuck in cycling motion.
Headlights are inadequate, and one windshield seal shows improper installation with disintegrated primer and glue. Washer fluid freezes in cold conditions.
Same Ford F-150 visibility reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Rear window spontaneous shattering/explosion
The rear window (fixed glass panel, not the sliding component) spontaneously shatters without external impact. Many incidents occur during or shortly after remote start with rear defroster activation, or when temperatures are cold and windows are frosted. The glass can shatter while the truck is parked in a garage, driveway, or during mild driving. In some cases owners report burning smells, exposed wires, or visible damage to the defroster wiring before or concurrent with shattering.
When: Mostly during cold weather or after remote start/defroster activation; one case at 106,000 miles with fire; cases documented at 36,000–166,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window shatters without impact; Loud bang or pop sound; Burning smell (plastic/electrical); Exposed wires visible in glass area; Glass scattered inside cab and truck bed; Occurs while parked or during light driving
Repairs/costs cited: Rear window replacement; one case involved defroster wiring short detected by dealer after fire damage; glass repair covered by insurance or out-of-pocket; Ford dealership parts availability 2-3 days reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford initially denied defect in some cases; owner references TSB #22-2089 (HVAC-related); one case manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA hotline; another case manufacturer referred to NHTSA after confirming fire was caused by shorted defroster wiring; no recalls mentioned for 2017 model in narratives
Rear power sliding window malfunction (track/rail failure)
The electrically operated rear sliding window loses integrity in its track system. Window can pop out of the top rail, become unseated from the bottom rail, or detach from the track entirely. Owners report clattering noises, water leaks into the frame, and loud road noise from the rear. Window can bounce dangerously while driving with passengers in the rear seat.
When: Reported at 46,500 miles and 52,000 miles; timing variable
Symptoms owners cite: Clattering or rattling noise behind rear seats; Window bounces or shifts during driving; Top rail pops off window frame; Water leaks into door frame or rear area; Loud road noise from back seat; Window unseated from bottom rail
Repairs/costs cited: Full rear sliding window replacement required; dealer initially quoted customer cost without offering full warranty coverage; manufacturer offered partial repair coverage in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered partial repair coverage in one case; referred case to NHTSA hotline; most cases not repaired by owners due to cost
Windshield wiper motor/transmission failure
Windshield wipers fail to operate or become stuck in the on position. In stuck-on condition, wipers cannot be turned off during driving and owners must pull over and restart the truck to regain control. Some wipers become inoperative gradually or cease function entirely. One mechanic contributor reports wiper transmission failure on the passenger side linked to water buildup at the cowl drain area—passenger side has only two drain holes versus six on driver side, causing water to corrode the wiper pivot.
When: Reported at 166,000 miles for gradual failure; stuck-on issue started around April 2025 per one narrative; affects both 2017 and 2019 F-150s owned by same driver
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers will not turn off once activated; Wipers become stuck on during rain; Wipers slow down or cease operating; No warning lights or messages prior to failure; Affects visibility during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Wiper motor and wiper arms replaced (twice in a couple of years per one owner); services performed at Ford dealership; mechanic notes water buildup causes corrosion at passenger-side wiper pivot point
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recent recall announced for 2021–2022 models (per one narrative) but does not apply to 2017 model; Ford customer service stated recall does not cover contact's 2017 model; no TSB cited; manufacturer confirmed no recall on affected VIN in one case
HVAC/defroster malfunction (intermittent operation, slow warmup)
Air conditioning and heater operate intermittently or inconsistently. AC fans may run continuously on high even when not needed. Defroster takes longer than normal to warm up the windshield, affecting defrosting and defogging capability. Hazardous during wet or frosty conditions when windshield visibility is critical. No diagnostic trouble codes appear, and dealerships cannot reproduce the issue during service visits.
When: Present from purchase of used vehicle; issue ongoing despite multiple service attempts
Symptoms owners cite: AC blows cold then becomes warm without manual adjustment; Defroster slow to warm windshield; AC fans run high continuously when AC is on; Windshield fogs up or gets clogged in wet weather; No fault codes or warning lights present
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; multiple dealership visits and two independent repair shops unable to fix; shops identified this as a known Ford issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin #22-2089 issued 9 March 2022 acknowledging the issue but failing to correct it; dealership unable to assist without codes or reproducible symptoms
Sunroof failure (motor/track/frame damage)
Sunroof mechanisms fail, either preventing closure or becoming stuck in an open/cycling position. In one case, the sunroof frame itself fractured. Motor and track system require replacement but are costly.
When: Reported at 49,750 miles and 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof fails to close as needed; Sunroof starts opening and closing unexpectedly; Abnormal noise during sunroof operation; Fractured sunroof frame
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof motor and framework/track system replacement needed; vehicles not repaired by owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin #18-2374 referenced in one case but no assistance provided; manufacturer not contacted in other case
Door glass spontaneous fracture/shattering
Rear door glass fractures or shatters without impact during normal vehicle use. One case involved the rear driver's-side door glass; the door latch also failed, and water was found in the door frame.
When: Reported at approximately 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear driver's-side door glass fractures without impact; Door latch fails to latch properly; Water present in door frame
Repairs/costs cited: Glass repaired; door latch issue noted but details of repair not provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed owner fracture was not due to manufacturing defect; manufacturer not contacted; owner referenced unknown recall but VIN not associated with it
Windshield seal/installation defect
Windshield is not sealed properly at installation. Primer and glue applied incorrectly and disintegrated over time, causing leaks around the driver's-side pin area. Owner notes this could allow windshield dislodgement during an accident.
When: Defect discovered; disintegration noted over time
Symptoms owners cite: Water leak at driver's-side windshield pin area; Primer and glue deteriorated; Potential windshield instability in collision
Rear sliding window water leakage
Rear power sliding window does not seal properly, allowing rain water to leak into the cab when windows are wet outside.
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaks into cab during rain; Window stripping not sealing around sliding window
Headlight inadequacy (halogen)
Factory halogen headlights provide poor illumination, particularly in dark winter conditions. Owner replaced with LED bulbs to improve visibility.
Symptoms owners cite: Poor headlight illumination at night; Particularly inadequate in dark winter months
Repairs/costs cited: Owner upgraded to high-intensity LED bulbs as aftermarket solution
Windshield washer fluid freeze-up
Windshield washer fluid freezes and will not spray to clean the windshield during cold conditions.
When: Reported at 45,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Washer fluid frozen and non-functional; Unable to clean front windshield
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no repair or follow-up documented
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I started my truck at 7:45 AM; temperature was 25 degrees and the windows were covered in frost. I turned the heater on, got out to load my truck; as I opened the door I heard a loud pop and a slight electrical odor. On examining the cause, I realized that the rear cab window had shattered with no provocation. Glass shards everywhere in the cab and in the truck bed. My dogs in the backseat, or I…
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2017 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 40 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 36,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.