The Ford F-150 may be an iconic, top-selling vehicle, but the 2017 model had 14 safety recalls, a higher-than-average number. Thankfully, not all of them were severe.
Key Points
- A total of 14 recalls were issued for the 2017 Ford F-150, pertaining to serious concerns such as seat belt issues, defective airbag inflators, and problems with the vehicle’s braking system.
- Engine issues were also reported, including electronic throttle body and cam phaser failures, although recalls were not issued for these components.
- Other, more trivial issues have emerged as well, like the corroded lug nuts that are a result of poor design by Ford.
Without question, the Ford F-150 is one of the most recognizable and iconic vehicles in history. America’s best-selling pickup truck for 44 years now, its long-standing success is truly a testament to its prowess.
The 2017 model year was an important one for the F-150, marking the much-anticipated return of the high-performance, off-road-focused Raptor model. It was also a year of great sales success, with Good Car Bad Car reporting sales of 896,764 F-Series models that year.
However, 2017 Ford F-150 models were known to have a number of issues and recalls.
2017 F-150: Few Common Problems, but Many Engine Issues
Given just how many F-150s were sold during 2017, and indeed the entire 13th-generation model run from 2015-2020, it’s unsurprising that issues have cropped up during this particular era. However, Autowise notes that, ” … a surprisingly small number of common issues” have been found, suggesting this may be part of its popularity.
One issue the site does highlight: engine problems. Namely, the engines fitted to the F-150 can lose power suddenly and go into limp mode. A highly likely and common cause of this is the failure of the electronic throttle body that these modern engines use. Replacing the throttle body is the only permanent fix, and the commonality of this issue means that part-sourcing times can be delayed.
The cam phasers–which are part of the engine’s variable valve timing system–on the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and 5.0-liter V8 models have also been reported as a common problem by owners. Faulty or overly worn parts can cause the engine to idle roughly, particularly when first started.
Autowise does highlight that Ford has issued service bulletins for these items and even warranty extensions to cover them, as they could lead to even more serious issues further down the line.
Swollen & Corroded Lug Nuts are Common Enough to Spark a Lawsuit
A common 13th-generation F-150 issue discussed in online forums like F-150 Forum, is that the lug nuts swell in size, making them too large to undo with a wrench, or corrode abnormally quickly, causing them to fuse with the thread.
Ford Problems notes that rather than a one-piece, hardened steel design like most manufacturers use, Ford opted for a two-piece design that uses a steel core with a more decorative aluminum cap over the top. While the aluminum cap itself is what can swell, it’s the gap between the two layers that traps moisture and leads to corrosion.
As reported by Car and Driver, a class-action lawsuit was filed in 2017 pertaining to this issue, with Ford accused of not honoring warranty claims for this problem. The case was dismissed in 2019.
NHTSA Issued 14 Recalls, Most for Smaller Issues, but Concerning Nonetheless
There were 14 total recalls for the 2017 Ford F-150, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Some of the more prominent recalls include one affecting over 114,000 vehicles, where the rear seat belt could detach, putting the occupants at risk in the event of an accident.
Another recall included over 1.6 million F-150s and involved a seat belt pretensioner that could cause a fire. Thankfully, the fix is simple and handled free of charge by the manufacturer.
Again in 2017, over 1.1 million vehicles were recalled for door locks that could freeze if water enters the locking mechanism, causing the doors to unexpectedly open.
One recall specific to the 3.5-liter EcoBoost involved a brake master cylinder that could leak fluid into the brake booster, reducing braking performance.
Is the 2017 Ford F-150 Reliable Overall?
Given just how many F-150s were sold during 2017, the chances of landing a lemon on the used market aren’t the highest. However, there are key issues to be aware of, even if the most common problems aren’t catastrophic.
While none of the 14 recalls definitively make the 2017 F-150 a “don’t buy,” you should always make sure all recalls have been performed before spending your money on one.
Photos: Ford
