2017 Ford F-350 wheels problems
moderate 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $400 · see wheels across all vehicles →
Of the 7 model years of Ford F-350 we track for wheels problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 36.
Owners have filed 36 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 F-350 exhibits a systematic galvanic-corrosion failure where steel TPMS valve stems installed in aluminum wheels corrode at the metal interface. This causes slow to catastrophic air loss, typically surfacing between 5,000 and 12,500 miles of ownership. Owners describe visible pitting around the stem hole, flaking chrome inside rims, and tires losing 10–30 PSI overnight or 20 PSI daily—all conditions that create hazardous driving scenarios, especially while towing heavy loads.
The problem strikes the four outer aluminum wheels on dual-rear-wheel trucks; steel inner rear wheels remain unaffected, confirming a material-incompatibility issue. Dealerships replace valve stems repeatedly—one owner reports 11 replacements, another eight in one year—yet leaks resume within days to six months. Some dealers recommend replacing all four wheels at ~$5,000, but replacement wheels corrode identically. Owners document this as a widespread internet-known defect across Ford Super Duty forums.
Ford covers repairs under warranty but refuses to acknowledge systemic design failure or issue recalls. Multiple dealers report Ford's position as bound by warranty guidelines with no authority to resolve the root cause. One service manager stated owners "will be dealing with this as long as you own this truck." Beyond warranty, Ford declines assistance. One catastrophic tire failure at 65 MPH resulted in a passenger-side tire explosion and loss of braking control, injuring the driver. This defect presents genuine danger for any owner relying on consistent tire pressure under load.
Failure modes owners describe
Galvanic corrosion between steel TPMS valve stems and aluminum wheels causing slow to rapid air leaks
Steel TPMS valve stems installed in aluminum wheel rims undergo galvanic corrosion at the metal contact point. Owners report the corrosion visibly pits the aluminum around the stem hole, causes the chrome plating inside some rims to flake, and allows air to escape slowly or suddenly. The issue affects primarily the four outer aluminum wheels on dual-rear-wheel (DRW) configurations; steel inner rear wheels do not leak.
When: Typically emerges 5,000–12,500 miles into ownership; some owners report problems within weeks of purchase. One owner reported failure at 81,000 miles on replacement wheels.
Symptoms owners cite: Low tire pressure warning light (TPMS) illuminating frequently; Tires losing 10–30 PSI overnight while parked or losing 20 PSI per day; Visible corrosion pitting around valve stem hole in aluminum rim; Chrome flaking inside rim at tire-seal contact area; Air bubbling from stem (not the core) when soaped; Pressure loss under all conditions: stationary, driving, towing, at highway speeds, and during load-haul operations; Unequal tire pressures between inner and outer dual tires creating unpredictable handling
Codes mentioned: TPMS warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships initially replace individual valve stems; cost cited at $75 per wheel. Owners report stems leak again within days to six months. Some dealers recommend replacing all four aluminum wheels at estimated $4,963.16. One owner reported replacement wheels corroding identically at 39,500 miles. Replacement stems repeatedly fail. Parts on backorder at some dealers due to high demand.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford covers valve stem replacement under warranty (bumper-to-bumper). Multiple owners report Ford dealers stating 'their hands are tied' to the warranty guidelines and refusing to address root cause or issue recalls. One owner filed case #CAS17549134 on 4/2/2019; no follow-up from Ford. Ford has offered wheel replacement in some cases but refused post-warranty repairs. Multiple owners note Ford has not acknowledged a systemic defect, stating the problem is a dealer issue, not theirs. One dealer stated owners 'will be dealing with this as long as you own this truck.' No technical service bulletins (TSBs) or recalls mentioned by owners.
TPMS RTM (receiver/transmitter module) failure
The RTM module associated with the tire pressure monitoring system failed and required replacement at owner's expense after 70,371 miles. Unlike sensors, this permanently mounted component lacks published performance standards or life-expectancy guidance.
When: At 70,371 miles
Symptoms owners cite: TPMS system non-functional requiring RTM module replacement
Codes mentioned: TPMS RTM module failure
Repairs/costs cited: Owner expense; cost not specified. Sensor batteries have estimated 5–7 year life.
Tire failure due to rapid valve stem air loss at highway speed
One owner reported a front passenger-side tire exploded while driving 65 MPH. The vehicle vibrated severely; brake pedal depressed but failed to gain control. Owner sustained neck injuries. Vehicle was towed but not diagnosed or repaired. This represents an alleged catastrophic failure scenario directly tied to the valve stem corrosion issue.
When: At approximately 43,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle vibration at 65 MPH; Brake failure (or loss of vehicle control despite braking); Front passenger-side tire explosion
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; not diagnosed or repaired per narrative. Police report filed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified of this failure.
Synthesized from 36 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the wheels problem on the 2017 Ford F-350?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 36 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 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most wheels failures cluster between 9,440 and 26,000 miles, with the median around 13,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,440; a quarter make it past 26,000. 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.