This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to remove and cap the vacuum supply line or to reprogram the transfer case control module (TCCM) and replace any worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford F-150 wheels problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Ford F-150 have filed 38 NHTSA complaints about the wheels, typically surfacing around 44,300 miles at roughly $400 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See wheels across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
| Model year | wheels complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 F-150 | 21 |
| 2014 F-150 | 18 |
| 2015 F-150 | 31 |
| 2016 F-150 | 49 |
| 2017 F-150 (this page) | 38 |
| 2018 F-150 | 37 |
| 2019 F-150 | 4 |
| 2020 F-150 | 4 |
| 2021 F-150 | 13 |
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What stands out
Owners have filed 38 wheels 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.
Among the 17 model years of Ford F-150 in our records for wheels problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels 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 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with TOD transfer cases may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to remove and cap the vacuum supply line.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2018 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive (4WD) may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise while driving in 2-wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration. This may be due to a loss of vacuum to the integrated wheel end (IWE) actuators and/or wear of the IWE components. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to reprogram the transfer case control module (TCCM) and replace any worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2018 F-150/Expedition/Navigator 4x4 vehicles may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise coming from the right front or left front wheel area while accelerating in 2WD mode. Refer to the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 308-07, Diagnosis and Testing Symptom Chart - NVH > The front axle makes noise in 2H mode only and generally under heavy throttle.
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 lug nut defect dominates this complaint set. Owners consistently report that factory lug nuts swell beyond their original 21mm specification—typically expanding to 21.5–22mm—due to moisture intrusion and/or separation of the decorative aluminum cap from the steel base. This swelling renders the factory lug wrench completely unusable. Owners have been stranded on roadsides unable to change flat tires, forced to call tow trucks or wait for law enforcement assistance with impact tools. The problem appears early (20,000 miles) but progresses with mileage and is especially dangerous on remote highways where cell service is unreliable.
Ford service technicians acknowledge the issue as a known, recurring problem but label it "wear" rather than a manufacturing defect, refusing to issue a recall. Dealership replacement costs run $96–$400 per wheel set; a few dealers have replaced nuts free of charge under warranty, but most charge the owner. Aftermarket one-piece lug nuts are the only permanent fix. One owner reported needing replacements three times, and another noted the issue recurred even after dealership replacement.
Secondary issues include a front wheel bearing failure at 56,000 miles on the driver side (unavailable OEM parts forced third-party repair), chrome wheel delamination that weakens wheels structurally, and one incident of complete lug nut shear causing total wheel separation at highway speed. These occur far less frequently than lug nut swelling but represent additional wheel assembly reliability concerns.
Same Ford F-150 wheels reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Swollen lug nuts (two-piece design)
Factory lug nuts swell due to moisture intrusion and/or separation of decorative caps from the base nut, expanding beyond 21mm and rendering the factory lug wrench unable to fit. Owners report inability to remove nuts with the provided wrench, requiring oversized sockets or impact tools. Multiple owners report repeated failures even after dealership replacements.
When: Reported at mileages ranging from 20,000 to 87,000 miles; some failures occur within 2 years of ownership despite regular dealership maintenance.
Symptoms owners cite: Lug wrench will not fit over lug nuts; Lug nuts visibly swollen and distorted; Caps separating from nut bases; Aluminum components corroding or deteriorating; Owners unable to perform roadside tire changes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replacement costs cited range from $96 to $400; owners report paying $130–$160 per replacement job. Quick Lane charged $140 for full replacement with one-piece nuts. Aftermarket one-piece lug nuts recommended as permanent fix. Some owners used impact wrenches or cutting torches to remove seized nuts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford acknowledges the issue to service technicians but labels it a 'wear' issue rather than a defect. No recall issued. One owner reports Ford referred them to NHTSA. Some dealers replace free of charge; most charge customer. No Technical Service Bulletin or Customer Satisfaction Program mentioned in narratives.
Wheel bearing failure (driver-side front)
Front wheel bearing on driver side began failing at approximately 50,000 miles; became noticeable at 56,000 miles with pronounced noise. Dealer parts personnel recognized the issue as not uncommon, though typically occurring at higher mileage. Dealer unable to source OEM replacement part.
When: Failure begun around 50,000 miles; replacement performed at 56,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Pronounced bearing noise at highway speeds; TPMS warning alerting no tire pressure signal from affected wheel during long highway drives; Noise correlated with speed
Codes mentioned: TPMS fault (driver-side front)
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired by third-party garage using aftermarket bearing. OEM part was unavailable from dealership inventory. TPMS warnings ceased after bearing replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer did not confirm problem officially but parts personnel hinted issue was not uncommon. No recall or warranty claim mentioned.
Chrome wheel delamination
Chrome coating on factory wheels chips and peels off, reportedly making wheels structurally weak. Owner and tire shop confirmed wheels are defective; Ford dealer stated Ford has replaced these wheels due to known chrome separation issue.
When: Issue present at time of tire replacement; exact mileage not stated.
Symptoms owners cite: Chrome peeling and chipping off wheel surface; Wheels weakened structurally due to coating loss
Repairs/costs cited: No repair cost cited by this owner. Tire company and Ford dealer confirmed defect; dealer stated Ford has replaced wheels in other cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall listed. Ford recommended owner file NHTSA complaint.
Wheel lug separation and catastrophic failure
Lug nuts sheered completely off, causing front passenger wheel to detach completely from vehicle at highway speed. Owner reports lug nuts and bolts were fully severed, forcing uncontrolled stop.
When: Incident occurred during highway driving; exact mileage not stated.
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise in relation to tire speed; Steering wheel vibration during turns; Vehicle shaking as though flat tire present but pressure normal; Wheel detaches completely from vehicle; Lug nuts and bolts sheared off
Repairs/costs cited: No repair described; safety incident documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None mentioned.
Worn steel wheel with bead crack
Steel wheel cracked at the bead area with approximately 6 inches of crack propagation, including apparent pre-existing corrosion. No visible impact damage. Immediate air loss occurred. Vehicle noted as used at high speeds (sheriff vehicle).
When: Not specified; vehicle at high mileage / heavy use.
Symptoms owners cite: Visible crack at wheel bead extending ~6 inches; Rusty appearance suggesting age of crack; Immediate loss of air pressure
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted; incident reported as safety concern.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None mentioned.
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 Cam Phaser / VCT Units will fail. Vehicles may not restart after auto-start-stop. Ford issued Customer Satisfaction…
Dec. 29, 2022: I was advised that the lug nuts are warped and the tires could not be rotated without replacing the lug nuts. Was advised if I did not replace them, I may not be able to remove them if I had a flat tire or worse, they might not get tightened properly causing a wheel to come off while driving. Vehicle is still at Ford Dealership service dept.
Had wheels 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 wheels problem on the 2017 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 38 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most wheels failures cluster between 41,000 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 44,300. A quarter of owners report trouble before 41,000; a quarter make it past 58,000. 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 $400 for wheels 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 wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels 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.