2017 Ford F-150 Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 313 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 313 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2017 Ford F-150, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 61,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “cam phasers” (23% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Cam phasers: mentioned in 71 of 313 complaints (23%)
  • Rattling sound: mentioned in 40 of 313 complaints (13%)
  • Oil pan: mentioned in 29 of 313 complaints (9%)
  • Satisfaction program: mentioned in 19 of 313 complaints (6%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2017 Ford F-150 at $4,550, and half of them between $2,300 and $5,400.

Based on 14 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2020–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 154 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles10 · 6%
10k–25k miles14 · 9%
25k–50k miles28 · 18%
50k–75k miles44 · 29%
75k–100k miles24 · 16%
100k–150k miles24 · 16%
150k+ miles10 · 6%

How serious are the reports?

Of 313 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 1 an injury.

Ford F-150 engine complaints by model year

Peak: 2013, with 548 complaints
1995: 219951996: 31997: 151998: 1419981999: 272000: 232001: 4420012002: 662003: 282004: 9220042005: 1172006: 742007: 10520072008: 532009: 422010: 10720102011: 4822012: 4832013: 54820135482014: 1792015: 2642016: 31720162017: 3132018: 5082019: 32120192020: 1292021: 832022: 3820222023: 272024: 122025: 420252026: 2

n = 4,522 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 F-150217%—
2025 F-15044%—
2024 F-150126%14,000
2023 F-150277%8,000
2022 F-150386%11,300
2021 F-150838%19,448
2020 F-15012918%46,341
2019 F-15032124%60,500
2018 F-15050822%59,500
2017 F-15031322%61,000
2016 F-15031715%51,000
2015 F-15026415%62,450
2014 F-15017912%73,000
2013 F-15054818%55,500
2012 F-15048327%24,000
2011 F-15048222%53,000
2010 F-15010713%80,000
2009 F-1504213%100,000
2008 F-1505314%105,000
2007 F-15010522%99,616
2006 F-1507413%99,495
2005 F-15011711%116,500
2004 F-150925%108,588
2003 F-150287%138,183
2002 F-150668%138,000
2001 F-150444%154,500
2000 F-150232%137,500
1999 F-150273%160,000
1998 F-150141%122,778
1997 F-150151%132,000
1996 F-15031%131,000
1995 F-15020%160,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2024, with 77 complaints
2017: 9201792018: 4201842019: 182019182020: 112020112021: 8202182022: 242022242023: 522023522024: 772024772025: 762025762026: 34202634

n = 313 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (2)

Engine; equipment:electricalApr 8, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V278000 · 131,068 vehicles

Problem: 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 and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.

Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.

EngineDec 18, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V894000 · 410,289 vehicles

Problem: 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. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.

Risk: 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

My 2017 Ford F150 has been downshifting unexpectedly now for weeks. There have been a few times when I literally lost control of my truck. I am afraid to drive on Highway. I use my truck for work and everything else. The local Ford dealership here Astro Ford in D'Iberville, Ms told me yesterday…

Received Oct 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768510

My Transmission will townshift suddenly on the Highway. The error code I get is the (P0720) output-speed-sensor. I have noticed it has been recalled before. It is very scary when I am driving, and I know it has to be hurting my engine and transmission. I got a recall notice and thought it was for…

Received Sep 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767852

In late July 2026, my son received a Ford safety recall notice (Recall #26S28) for his 2017 F 150 requiring a PCM software update. I brought the truck to Crown Motors in Redding on August 11th for the recall service. Before this appointment, the truck had no performance issues. Immediately after…

Received Aug 31, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11760926
Ford F-150
Ford F-150 (fourteenth generation) at Rutesheimer Autoschau 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2017 Ford F-150s have engine problems?

No. NHTSA has 313 owner complaints about engine for the 2017 Ford F-150 (22% of the 1,449 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2017 Ford F-150 engine?

Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do engine problems start?

The median reported mileage is 61,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2017 Ford F-150?

Owners report a typical cost of $4,550 (half paid between $2,300 and $5,400), from 14 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about engine problems on the 2017 Ford F-150?

The most frequent phrase is “cam phasers”, in 71 of 313 complaints, followed by “rattling sound” (40).

Other 2017 Ford F-150 problems

See all 2017 Ford F-150 problems or engine problems across all F-150 years.