Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD · 4 NHTSA variants

2017 Ford F-150Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 18 safety recalls and 1,148 owner complaints for the 2017 Ford F-150. Most complaints involve power train (337) and engine (274). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
16–21mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
18campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
1,148
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

18 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 17V053. The instrument cluster may lose power after initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures. Several gauges, including the transmission gear position indicator, may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."

Electrical systemReported Jun 9, 2026NHTSA 26V370000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.

Power trainReported Apr 14, 2026NHTSA 26V237000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 11, 2025NHTSA 25V236000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,148 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train337
  2. Engine274
  3. Structure106
  4. Electrical system105
  5. Service brakes65
  6. Engine and engine cooling65
  7. Steering51
  8. Vehicle speed control48
  9. Latches/locks/linkages41

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each F-150 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996360
19972,855
19981,418
19991,121
20001,206
20011,340
2002955
2003464
20042,036
20051,121
2006589
2007492
2008369
2009324
2010851
20112,137
20121,717
20132,796
20141,362
20151,425
20161,798
20171,148
20181,929
20191,021
2020562
20211,042
2022605
2023419
2024195
2025119
20260
Crashes reported
37
Fires reported
19
Injuries reported
32
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

337 reports5 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where DTC: P0715 was retrieved. The contact was informed that the recall repair could not be completed without additional fault codes. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,060.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11773987

Engine

274 reports1 crash5 fires
“On 10/13/2026, driving about 25 mph on a city street, my truck entered failsafe with no prior warning lamps or symptoms. The PCM cut most engine power, leaving no acceleration, and set P1285 (CHT Overtemp Sensed) and P1299 (CHT Overtemp Protection Active). The engine was not overheating; a $40 CHT sensor fixed it. Evidence: I watched live data on an Autel MaxiCheck MX808S-TS while driving during the events. CHT dropped to implausibly low values for brief moments, then immediately returned to normal values matching coolant temp. Coolant temp stayed normal throughout. Failsafe triggered on these momentary dropouts, never on an actual high reading. The PCM logic is unsafe: 1. A low-reading sensor dropout was reported as an overtemp. The PCM set two overtemp codes and no sensor circuit code. 2. It ignored contradicting data. CHT recovered instantly and matched normal coolant temp, yet the PCM acted on one momentary bad reading. 3. The response was disproportionate. A sensor glitch with normal coolant temp should set a check engine light and circuit code, not remove engine power while driving. 4. It creates a crash risk. Losing acceleration in city traffic, amid…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11771529

Structure

106 reports3 crashes
“Vehicle failed Pennsylvania state safety inspection due to structural rust holes and perforation in the high-strength steel frame rails. The vehicle has only 40,000 miles and has been safely operated, indicating premature structural metallurgy failure."”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026StructureODI 11772849
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl turbo · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo · 5.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Automatic (S10)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
F150 2.7L 2WD GVWR>6649 LBS
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
182421$3,050423
F150 2WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050426
F150 2WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
182320$3,200444
F150 2.7L 4WD GVWR>6799 LBS
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
182219$3,400467
F150 3.5L 2WD GVWR>7599 LBS
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400466
F150 3.5L 4WD GVWR>7599 LBS
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
172119$3,400466
F150 4WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400467
F150 4WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
172119$3,400467
F150 4WD FFV BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800521
F150 5.0L 2WD FFV GVWR>7599 LBS
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,000555
F150 5.0L 4WD FFV GVWR>7599 LBS
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

6 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x2
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 11228Vehicle 11227Vehicle 11230
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 F-150 questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Ford F-150 have?

18 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2017 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners filed 1,148 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (337), engine (274), structure (106). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Ford F-150 get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Ford F-150 at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Ford F-150?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Ford F-150 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026