2017 Ford F-350 SD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
572 owner complaints analyzed
13 distinct recall campaigns
26,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 415 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 291 of 572 complaints (50.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 222 | 38.8% |
| Braking behavior | 77 | 13.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 20 | 3.5% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 1.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 1.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 291 |
| Suspension | 214 |
| Wheels | 57 |
| Unknown Or Other | 51 |
| Structure:Body | 39 |
| Electrical System | 28 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 24 |
| Engine | 22 |
Steering: 291; Suspension: 214; Wheels: 57; Unknown Or Other: 51; Structure:Body: 39; Electrical System: 28; Fuel/Propulsion System: 24; Engine: 22
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 191 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 151 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 33 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 191; 25,000 to 49,999: 151; 50,000 to 74,999: 33; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 13
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (191). 157 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 66 |
| 2019 | 187 |
| 2020 | 102 |
| 2021 | 50 |
| 2022 | 49 |
| 2023 | 44 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2016: 1; 2017: 9; 2018: 66; 2019: 187; 2020: 102; 2021: 50; 2022: 49; 2023: 44; 2024: 24; 2025: 29; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 222 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 77 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11052225 · 2017-12-04 (December 4, 2017)
DEATH WOBBLE- VIOLENT FRONT WHEELS WOBBLING, STEERING SHAKING SO VIOLENT CAN'T CONTROL. DIFFERENT ROADS, MPH-45,60,65,70. TO BRING UNDER CONTROL MUST BRAKE AND TRY TO GET OFF ROAD & GET BELOW 20MPH. EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. DEATH WOBBLE HAS HAPPENED ON ALL TYPES OF ROADS, USUALLY STARTS WITH AN EXPANSION JOINT, POT HOLE OR BUMP IN ROAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11057173 · 2017-12-28 (December 28, 2017)
WOBBLE/OSCILLATION- VIOLENT FRONT WHEELS WOBBLING, STEERING SHAKING SO VIOLENT CAN'T CONTROL. DIFFERENT ROADS, MPH-USUALLY ABOVE 60. TO BRING UNDER CONTROL MUST BRAKE HARD AND TRY TO GET OFF ROAD & GET BELOW 30MPH. EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. WOBBLE HAS HAPPENED ON ALL TYPES OF ROADS, USUALLY STARTS WITH AN EXPANSION JOINT, POT HOLE,BRIDGE END OR BUMP IN ROAD. MORE OFTEN IF ON A CURVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11020343 · 2017-08-29 (August 29, 2017)
FORD E-350 2017 HAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. I DROVE AROUND TRIP FROM BALTIMORE TO BOWIE, MD WHERE SELF STORAGE ZONE PLACE. WITH THE VEHICLE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE VEHICLE RAN THROUGH THE GATE ITSELF. BRAKE WAS FROZEN AND UNABLE TO PRESS THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED AFTER THE GATE WAS BROKEN THEN I STOPPED IT IMMEDIATELY. ITS ENGINE POWERFUL RUN SLOW ITSELF DESPITE I STOPPED IT BUT IT CONTINUED TO RUN THROUGH GATE DESPITE I APPLIED THE BRAKE. THERE WAS SKID ON THE ROAD THOUGH BRAKE WAS NOT WORKING.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,420 miles reported. Look up ODI 11020343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11181777 · 2019-02-22 (February 22, 2019)
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND THE FUEL INJECTOR DASH LIGHT APPEARED MOMENTARILY AND THEN DISAPPEARED . SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, I BEGAN TO SENSE THE SLIGHT SMELL OF DIESEL AND JUST AS I TURNED INTO MY HOMES DRIVEWAY THERE WAS A LOUD BURST FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SMOKE. I STOPPED AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND EXITED AS I WAS GOING TO INSPECT THE SITUATION. THERE WERE SCREAMS OF FIRE COMING FROM MY WIFE AS THE TRUCKS ENGINE COMPARTMENT BEGAN TO ROAR WITH FLAMES. ACTION WAS TAKEN TO PUT OUT THE FIRE …
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11181777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11446604 · 2022-01-07 (January 7, 2022)
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The failure mostly occurred while driving up an incline. During the failure, the check engine, low fuel, and reduce engine power warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced fuel filters and low-pressure fuel pump however, the failure recurred. The contact was informed that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer…
Owner-reported narrative. 225,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11446604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11092201 · 2018-05-07 (May 7, 2018)
THE TRUCK SHUTS OFF AT WHILE RUNNING. THIS HAPPENS AT BOTH HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHILE STOPPED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED. WHEN THE TRUCK SHUTS OF THE STEERING AND BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING TO THE LEVEL THAT IS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND IT APPEAR THEY ARE POWER ASSISTED FROM THE MOTOR, SO WHEN THE MOTOR STALLS THEY ARE LOST. *TR *DT UPDATED 10/19/18*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,930 miles reported. Look up ODI 11092201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427115 · 2021-07-30 (July 30, 2021)
While driving vehicle down the road, "reduced engine power" light illuminates and then the vehicle stalls in less than five seconds. There is no warning of an issue or any problem before the engine dies. This is the second occurrence of this on the truck. It has happened while towing a heavy load. Total loss of power, sterring and braking ability is a serious issue and a danger to the public as well as myself and my family. This issue needs to be resolved by Ford ASAP!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10984283 · 2017-05-08 (May 8, 2017)
THE 2017 FORD SUPERDUTY TRUCKS HAVE A REMOTE TAILGATE RELEASE IN THE LARIAT AND KING RANCH MODELS. THE TAILGATE OF MY TRUCK AND OTHERS HAVE DROPPED WITHOUT ACTION FROM THE USER. THIS MAKES THESE VEHICLES UNSAFE WHEN CARRYING CARGO THAT IS ONLY SECURED BY THE TAILGATE OR WHEN TOWING 5TH WHEEL TRAILERS. MINE HAS DROPPED SOME 16 TIMES SINCE NOVEMBER. APPARENTLY FORD DEALERS ARE UNIVERSALLY BLAMING THE OPERATORS FOR ACCIDENTALLY PUSHING THE TAILGATE BUTTON TWICE ON THE FOB. HOWEVER, I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON MAY 6TH, WHEN I COULD NOT HAVE PUSHED THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10984283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11104638 · 2018-06-29 (June 29, 2018)
THE REMOTE ELECTRIC OPEN REAR TAILGATE HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. THE PROBLEM IS EITHER DUE TO FAULTY KEY FOB, POOR PLACEMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUTTON THAT RELEASES THE TAILGATE OR SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS THE TAILGATE WILL 'AT RANDOM' OPEN ON ITS OWN. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON MANY OCCASIONS, I'M VERY MINDFUL TO KEEP THE KEY FOB OUT OF MY POCKET AND NOT ALLOW MY PALM TO HIT THE BUTTON WHILE RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE (VERY POOR LOCATION). I HAVE HAD DAMAGE TO MY TAILGATE DUE TO IT OPENING WHILE PULLING A TRAILER, IT RESULTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11104638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11245574 · 2019-08-21 (August 21, 2019)
FLEX PLATE AND CONVERTER FAILURE. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM 3 INTO 6TH GEAR WITH A LOAD BANG. I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. THEY CALLED AND SAID THE CONVERTER HAD FAILED. THE TRUCK HAS 61,800 MILES, NA THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICES THE TRUCK SINCE IT WAS NEW IN THEIR SHOP. THE DRIVE TRAIN ON THE CONVERTER AND FLEX PLATE IS 60,000 MILES. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, THE FLEX PLATE STARTS TO GO OUT WHICH IN TURN AFFECTS THE TORQUE CONVENTER. THE TALE TALE SIGN IS WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11245574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11300810 · 2020-01-21 (January 21, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND 10 MINUTES LATER, THE TRANSMISSION ERRONEOUSLY SWITCHED TO THE REVERSE POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY AND CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE VEHICLE DURING THE ROLL AWAY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER VARSITY FORD (3480 JACKSON RD, ANN ARBOR MI. 48103) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11300810 at NHTSA ↗