Some 2017-2018 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L engine may exhibit a concern where the DEF level indicator appears to be stuck in the full position. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford F-350 engine problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Ford F-350 trucks with the 6.7L Powerstroke diesel describe failures ranging from catastrophic to chronic. One owner experienced engine compartment fire during normal city driving, preceded only by a fuel injector warning light and diesel smell—the vehicle burned despite neighbor intervention, putting a 2-year-old occupant at risk.
Several owners report oil starvation problems tied to a restricted Crankcase Control Valve (CCV) separator that permits pressure buildup and silent oil loss. Ford redesigned the part for 2020 models onward but never offered retrofits to 2017–2019 owners. Owners also cite upper oil pan gasket leaks traced to improper sealant application at the factory, creating fire risk.
High-pressure fuel pump failures are common, with metal debris contaminating the entire fuel system and causing sudden stalls during acceleration and highway passing. One owner waited over a month for dealer approval on a fuel system replacement despite extended warranty coverage.
Additional issues include rod bearing failure at 77,000 miles despite full maintenance, coolant line connections coming loose because single-barb plastic tees paired with inadequate clamps, and stalls with transmission shift failures following Emission Recall 20E07. Owners report receiving no warning lights before several catastrophic failures, leaving drivers with no time to move to safety.
Same Ford F-350 engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Engine compartment fire
Engine compartment ignition with smoke and flames during normal driving, preceded by fuel injector warning light and diesel smell. Fire spread rapidly despite attempts to extinguish; required fire department response. Risk of total loss and occupant safety hazard.
When: 6 months of ownership; vehicle in motion on city street
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel injector dash light appeared momentarily; Diesel smell detected; Loud burst from engine compartment; Engine compartment smoke and flames; Truck attempted to start on its own multiple times during fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle burned; extent of damage unknown. No repair attempted.
Crankcase pressure buildup and oil loss
Restricted CCV Separator (Crankcase Oil Separator) causes excessive crankcase pressure buildup leading to secondary failures. Oil leaks internally, resulting in catastrophic oil starvation. No OBD codes or dash warnings alert driver. Problem occurs in 2017-2019 models; Ford redesigned the part for 2020+ but never offered retrofit. Especially dangerous when towing.
When: Discovered at routine oil change; no specific mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Low engine oil level (less than 2 quarts remaining in 13-quart capacity); No OBD codes or warning lights; No external symptoms until catastrophic failure risk identified
Repairs/costs cited: Oil separator redesign available for 2020+ models but not offered as retrofit to 2017-2019 owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: CCV Separator redesigned for 2020 model year forward; no retrofit program for affected 2017-2019 vehicles.
High-pressure fuel pump failure and fuel system contamination
High-pressure fuel pump sheds metal particles throughout the fuel system, causing engine shutdown under acceleration and load. Requires complete contaminated fuel system replacement via HPFP kit. Owner reports dealer delayed approval for over one month.
When: Failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off during acceleration on highway onramp; Engine shutdown while passing at highway speed; Metal debris distributed in fuel system
Repairs/costs cited: High-pressure fuel pump kit ordered; complete fuel system replacement required due to contamination. Repair delayed pending dealer/manufacturer approval.
Upper oil pan leak from improper gasket installation
Oil leak from upper oil pan due to improper gasket sealant installation at manufacture. Poses fire risk if oil contacts hot engine surfaces. Ford switched to conventional gasket in 2020 models to resolve issue. No warning lights; leak discovered during maintenance or inspection.
When: Found at oil changes; failure mileage ~26,300 on one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from upper oil pan; No warning lights; Vehicle drivable but fire risk noted
Repairs/costs cited: Upper oil pan replacement required. Ford silicone gasket replaced with conventional gasket in 2020 models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2020 model year variant switched from silicone to conventional gasket to resolve issue; no retrofit offered for 2017-2019.
Coolant line connection failures at plastic tee fittings
Hose connections at plastic tee fittings (Ford part HC3Z-8075-D) on coolant overflow lines come loose in service. Ford uses single-barb plastic tees with OEtiker clamps instead of multi-barb connections with stronger spring or screw clamps. Multiple connections on same lines found loose simultaneously.
When: Detected during freeway driving; hundreds of miles from home
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant smell while driving; Hose connection at plastic tee came loose; All six hose connections found loose or leaking during inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Owner secured connections with screw-type clamps; original OEtiker clamps insufficient.
Block heater melting after engine recall repair
Block heater plug melts shortly after Recall 18V894000 (Engine) service. Black plastic debris found on owner's fingers. Failure linked to recall work, though not definitively confirmed.
When: After receipt of recall notification 18V894000 and dealer repair
Symptoms owners cite: Block heater plug melts when extension cord plugged in; Black plastic residue from melted material
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; not reported to dealer or manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V894000 (Engine) was issued; relationship to block heater failure unclear.
Sudden engine stall with reduced engine power light
Reduced engine power warning illuminates and engine stalls within seconds, with no prior warning. Loss of engine power, steering, and braking. Occurred twice, including once while towing heavy load. Immediate safety hazard.
When: Multiple occurrences; one while towing
Symptoms owners cite: Reduced engine power warning light; Engine stall within five seconds of warning; No advance warning before failure; Loss of steering and braking capability
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted or diagnosis provided.
Rod bearing failure and engine knock
Engine develops rod knock during towing with only 77,000 miles. Bearing failure traced to design issues in Powerstroke diesel. Long block replacement required. Vehicle out of warranty despite low mileage and current maintenance records.
When: 77,000 miles; while towing fifth-wheel trailer
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal engine knock while towing; Rod bearing failure
Repairs/costs cited: Long block replacement performed at owner expense; diesel mechanic indicated poor design in original long block, corrected in replacement.
Engine failure requiring replacement
Engine failure requiring complete replacement at ~144,000 miles. Cause diagnosed at dealer but not detailed in complaint. Vehicle not repaired and manufacturer not notified.
When: ~144,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from engine; Engine failure diagnosed by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; not completed.
Stall and condensation with transmission shift failure after emissions recall
After Emission Recall 20E07 (PCM reprogramming), vehicle experiences RPM fluctuation (2,300–2,900 RPM), failure to shift into overdrive, stall, and condensation under vehicle. Engine required replacement per dealer diagnosis. Later repaired at independent shop.
When: After Recall 20E07 service; failure mileage 171,000
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple unknown warning lights; Loud noise from engine; Vehicle stall; Condensation under vehicle; RPM fluctuation at highway speed (70–80 MPH); Transmission fails to shift to overdrive
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended engine replacement; repaired at independent mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Emission Recall 20E07 (PCM reprogramming) completed before failure occurred.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2017 Ford F-350?
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-350?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 77,060 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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-350.
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.