The 2017 Ford F-250 has 1,155 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 717 complaints, typically surfacing around 32,079 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
The problems owners report most, open recalls, and the mileage where failures cluster — straight from the NHTSA record, in seconds.
Reliability score
6.2 / 10
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 F-250?
Avoid — the body
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the body was repaired or replaced.
6 fire-related complaints on the electrical system
Body: 47 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 6,900–40,000 mi
Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average
2 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-250? 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
steering — 717 owner reports
· tends to show around 32,079 mi · ~$700 to fix
suspension — 154 owner reports
· tends to show around 31,830 mi · ~$900 to fix
body — 47 owner reports
· tends to show around 27,315 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
electrical — 46 owner reports
· tends to show around 49,658 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 27,315 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 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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I’ve had plenty of these in the bay, and the 2017 Super Duty is mostly a solid truck — but it’s got a handful of weak spots that show up like clockwork. Here’s the straight talk.
If yours has the 6.2L gas V8 mated to the 6R140 transmission, that’s what’ll bite you first. We see the pump start to slip somewhere between 70 and 90 thousand miles, especially on trucks that pulled hard or didn’t get fluid changes on schedule. Symptoms creep up slow — harder shift between 2nd and 3rd, maybe a delayed engagement when you drop it in drive. By the time the dealer’s quoting you four to six grand for a rebuild, you’ve already been driving on a sick transmission for a while. Catch it early and a fluid-and-filter service might buy you another 30,000 miles.
Second weak spot’s the transfer case. The BorgWarner BW4464 in these is known to break a shift fork — you’ll go to switch into 4-high and the dash light just blinks at you. Cheaper fix than the trans, usually $1,500 to $2,000 at an independent shop, but it’ll strand you off-road if you’re not paying attention.
If you’re shopping a used one, get under it. Verify the recall fixes are done — especially the Takata airbag and the shift cable roll pin from campaign 18V-274. Pull a clean ATF sample if you can. And don’t let anyone tell you the body control module gremlins are normal. They’re not. They’re a sign the truck’s been through some weather it shouldn’t have, and you’re going to be chasing electrical ghosts for as long as you own it.
For most folks this is still a truck worth owning. Just go in with eyes open, and budget for the items above before something else does it for you.
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.
I have filed an earlier complaint about the same issue(tracking number is 11289041). I made an appt at Ford to get truck fixed for the "death wobble" problem that seems to be reoccurring and they told me they didn't have me set up for a loaner vehicle and I would have to…
When vehicle travels over a rough spot or a change in grade on the road such as a bridge joint the front end shakes violently and you have to almost stop to get it to correct itself. This has happened 3 times in the past month. Most recent was on interstate traveling 70 MPH.…
The "death wobble" started after 15k miles on my truck. I've brought my truck to Ford dealership. Ford dealership in san jose, ca told me the dampners on my truck needs to be replaced, but the parts are in back order and doesn't know when Ford will have the parts for…
Had a problem with your 2017 Ford F-250?
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 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater
When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer
If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Ford F-250 reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 1,155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Ford F-250 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-250?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 Ford F-250 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the body was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 6 fire-related complaints on the electrical system; Body: 47 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 6,900–40,000 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 2 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-250?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 717 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 32,079 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 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-250 a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,155 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 32,079 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-250?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 717 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 32,079 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 32,079 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-250 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-250?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,155 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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 22 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Ford/F-250.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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