VinCanary

Reliability report · 2017 Ford F-150 · Updated July 2026

A good truck exists here — behind a complete, verified recall history.

The 2017 is the debut year for the 10-speed automatic — and it shows, with 18 recalls (the most of any year we cover), three of them for the same recurring brake master cylinder defect and two for the new transmission. Engine is the top complaint category.

This can be a good truck, but only with a complete, verified recall history.

Evidence: 1,066 NHTSA complaints · 18 recall campaigns · 5 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Squawking

What that means: Debut year for the 10-speed automatic and 18 recalls — the most of any F-150 year we cover, including the same brake defect recalled three times. The paperwork IS the purchase decision.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

1,066

Federal complaints

18

Recalls

$1,500–$3,000

Cam phaser job out of warranty

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Engine problems lead the data

major

Engine plus engine-cooling top the complaint categories: cam phaser rattle on the 3.5L EcoBoost (the cold-start diesel-like rattle; $1,500–$3,000 out of warranty) and oil consumption and misfire reports. Community coverage of 2015–2020 trucks ranks cam phasers as the generation's signature issue — arrive for a cold start.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Cam phaser job out of warranty

$1,500–$3,000

Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2017 F-150 · Mechanic channel and owner signal (13th-gen F-150)

10-speed transmission (10R80), first yearmajor

Harsh or clunky shifting is the persistent owner complaint. Two 2017-specific recalls: the shift-linkage roll pin can pop out (17V-671), and a missing roll pin can cause loss of Park — rollaway risk (18V-213). Later, 2015–17 trucks were also recalled for unexpected downshift into 2nd (26V-237, fix expected ~July 2026). Test all of it before money changes hands.

Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2017 F-150 · Mechanic channel and owner signal (13th-gen F-150)

$0

Recall remedies

$3,000+

Out-of-warranty shift-quality repairs

Brake master cylinder leak — recalled three timesmajor

20V-332 → 22V-150 → 25V-236: the same fluid-leak-into-booster defect on 3.5L EcoBoost trucks kept getting re-expanded. If a 2017 EcoBoost truck hasn't had the 25V-236 work (letters mailed September 2025), treat the pedal as suspect.

Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2017 F-150

$0

Recall remedy (25V-236 latest)

Passenger airbag inflator rupturemajor

Recall 17V-529: the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin. This is the non-negotiable VIN check on this year.

Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2017 F-150

$0

Recall remedy

Instrument cluster blackout in cold weathermoderate

Recall 17V-053 and its botched-repair follow-up 26V-370 (letters expected July 6, 2026): gauges, including the gear indicator, can go dark on cold start. Verify both campaigns — the follow-up exists because first repairs didn't always take.

Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2017 F-150

$0

Recall remedy

The same brake master cylinder defect was recalled three times — 'completed' isn't always completed.
5 mechanic & owner sources

Shopping this year?

Get the printable pre-purchase checklist and an alert if this year’s recall sheet changes.

Form not loading? Open it directly →

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Ford dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 17V-529Passenger airbag inflator can rupture, sending metal fragments. Free replacement — verify first.open
  2. 25V-236Brake master cylinder fluid leak (third campaign for this defect, after 20V-332 and 22V-150). Letters mailed September 2025. Free replacement.open
  3. 18V-21310-speed can lose Park — rollaway risk (with shift-linkage campaign 17V-671). Free repair.open
  4. 26V-237Unexpected downshift into 2nd at speed (2015–17 trucks). Software fix expected ~July 2026 — check status.open
  5. 26V-370Instrument cluster can black out on cold start (re-repair of 17V-053). Letters expected July 6, 2026.open
  6. 17V-652Door latches can allow doors to open while driving. Free water shields.open

Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

Form not loading? Open it directly →