RoadVitals

2017 Ford F-450 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Apr 24, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Ford F-450, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Powertrain (other)728.0%
  • Interior & seats312.0%
  • Electrical312.0%
  • Engine14.0%
  • Airbags14.0%
  • Exterior lighting14.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Tailgate opens in transit and allows contents of bed to fall out of vehicle causing issues for drivers behind truck

NHTSA ID 11495099 · filed Nov 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V087000 (Structure, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11480070 · filed Aug 18, 2022
All 9 reports naming body & structure

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Vibration at 70 mph. Safety concern as to possible vehicle damage/control due to excess vibration transmitted throughout vehicle. Problem has been acknowledged by Ford Motor Company by means of a Safety Recall Notice # 22S74. Correspondence from Ford dated December 2022 stated parts to repair the problem were expected to be available Q1 2023. As of 5/5/23 there is no additional information available from Ford or it's dealer. My vehicle is unusable and there is no remedy available from Ford.

NHTSA ID 11520574 · filed May 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-450. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH there was a vibration coming through the steering and the entire vehicle. The contact stated there was an abnormal bang-like explosion that had come from under the floorboards. The contact stated that a section of the drive shaft had sheared off of the vehicle and rolled out onto the highway and struck another vehicle that had been behind the contact. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he lost forward momentum and was able to pull off the highway. The contact stated that the other vehicle had also pulled off behind his vehicle. The contact stated that there were no injuries, however, the trailing vehicle had had the section of the drive shaft penetrate through the front grill and damaged the radiator and condenser. The contact's vehicle had sustained damage to the rear undercarriage, shock absorbers, and fuel tank. The contact said that the police were on the scene and filed a report. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was determined that the drive shaft needed to be replaced. The contact had previously taken the vehicle in for service to report vibration and had been told that there was a recall but that he would have to wait for the official recall letter from the manufacturer. The contact received the recall notification from the manufacturer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V880000 (Power Train) after having had the drive shaft failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID 11508725 · filed Feb 23, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-450. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the tailgate fell independently causing damage to the trim of the tailgate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed however, the mechanic found nothing that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 19V864000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ID 11420302 · filed Jun 9, 2021

WAS PASSING BY THE TRUCK THE ALARM WAS GOING OFF, UPON OPENING THE DOOR THERE WAS WATER POURING OUT OF THE DOOR, THEN I NOTICED THE FRONT DASH WAS SOAKING WET. THE CONSOLE HAD SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER IN IT. THE TRUCK WAS FLATBEDDED TO COLUMBIA FORD, FOUND SUNROOF WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY FROM FORD FACTORY. TRUCK HAS 2" OF WATER IN CONSOLE, DRIPPING FROM HEADLINER AND SWITCHES, AND FLOOR. SEATS ARE SOAKED. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT FORD DEALERSHIP THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY CANNOT REMOVE THE SEATS OR THE FLOOR MATS BECAUSE FORD WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM TO DO THE JOB. NOW MY TRUCK HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO MAJOR WATER FOR 10 DAYS AND IS STILL NOT BEING FIXED. NO ONE IS TOUCHING THE WATER THAT REMAINS IN THE CONSOLE, FLOOR OR SEATS. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY AND THEY HAVE DENIED REPLACEMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS IN EXTREMELY GOOD CONDLITION PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERYDAY TO SEE IF THIS TRUCK IS DRYING OUT. WE JUST REMOVED THE SILL PLATE TO EXPOSE WIRES THAT ARE COMPLETELY UNDERWATER. AND THERE IS STILL 1" OF WATER IN THE FLOOR OF THE TRUCK. THE SERVICE MNGR QUOTED TO ME THERE WILL BE NO WAY HE COULD GUARANTEE THAT THIS TRUCK WILL NOT MOLD AND WILL NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE FUTURE. THEY ARE NOT TAKING OUT ANYTHING OUT OF THE TRUCK, SEATS, FLOOR LINER ... NOTHING. WE HAVE A CASE NUMBER WITH FORD, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT RECOMMENDED THAT WE CONTACT YOUR COMPANY FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE FORD HAS DENIED THE CLAIM FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS TRUCK IS GOING TO MOLD DUE TO THE WATER AND IS AN ELECTRICAL (FIRE) HAZARD DUE TO THE WATER IN THE SWITCHES CORRODING AND FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME OF EXPOSURE. THERE WAS WATER POURING OUT OF THE SWITCHES IN THE CEILING THAT CONTROL THE SUNROOF INTO THE CONSOLE AND DOWN THE FRONT DASH. THERE IS DISCOLORATION ALREADY STARTED.

NHTSA ID 11289903 · filed Dec 18, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Tailgate opens unexpectedly while vehicle is in motion. This has happened repeatedly over the past 12 months. After confirming that the tailgate was not inadvertently left open or opened while the vehicle was moving, we realized that the problem was internal. We could not find a cause of the problem with the tailgate opening. It caused damage to the tailgate and the towed fifth wheel. Cargo items stored in the truck bed (under the tonneau cover) have fallen out onto the road when the tailgate opens unexpectedly. This could have caused a major accident or death. I believe this truck has an electric tailgate latch release switch in the tailgate handle and I'm not sure whether this is a possible cause. We took the truck to the Ford dealer who advised that the tailgate was not covered by any recall or warranty other than the extended warranty we purchased, for which we had to pay a deductible. The Ford dealer is also denying any responsibility for damage to the tailgate itself, damage to the fifth wheel, or damage from and loss of loose cargo falling out. We paid for the fix to the defective tailgate mechanism but feel strongly that this should be recalled due to the high risk of death or injury when the tailgate opens unexpectedly. Below date is only the most recent occurrence; as stated above, this has occurred multiple times including approximately June 12, 2021, April 20, 2021, September 24, 2020, September 30, 2020, August 9, 2020, and November 24, 2019.

NHTSA ID 11444986 · filed Dec 26, 2021

WAS PASSING BY THE TRUCK THE ALARM WAS GOING OFF, UPON OPENING THE DOOR THERE WAS WATER POURING OUT OF THE DOOR, THEN I NOTICED THE FRONT DASH WAS SOAKING WET. THE CONSOLE HAD SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER IN IT. THE TRUCK WAS FLATBEDDED TO COLUMBIA FORD, FOUND SUNROOF WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY FROM FORD FACTORY. TRUCK HAS 2" OF WATER IN CONSOLE, DRIPPING FROM HEADLINER AND SWITCHES, AND FLOOR. SEATS ARE SOAKED. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT FORD DEALERSHIP THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY CANNOT REMOVE THE SEATS OR THE FLOOR MATS BECAUSE FORD WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM TO DO THE JOB. NOW MY TRUCK HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO MAJOR WATER FOR 10 DAYS AND IS STILL NOT BEING FIXED. NO ONE IS TOUCHING THE WATER THAT REMAINS IN THE CONSOLE, FLOOR OR SEATS. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY AND THEY HAVE DENIED REPLACEMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS IN EXTREMELY GOOD CONDLITION PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERYDAY TO SEE IF THIS TRUCK IS DRYING OUT. WE JUST REMOVED THE SILL PLATE TO EXPOSE WIRES THAT ARE COMPLETELY UNDERWATER. AND THERE IS STILL 1" OF WATER IN THE FLOOR OF THE TRUCK. THE SERVICE MNGR QUOTED TO ME THERE WILL BE NO WAY HE COULD GUARANTEE THAT THIS TRUCK WILL NOT MOLD AND WILL NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE FUTURE. THEY ARE NOT TAKING OUT ANYTHING OUT OF THE TRUCK, SEATS, FLOOR LINER ... NOTHING. WE HAVE A CASE NUMBER WITH FORD, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT RECOMMENDED THAT WE CONTACT YOUR COMPANY FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE FORD HAS DENIED THE CLAIM FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS TRUCK IS GOING TO MOLD DUE TO THE WATER AND IS AN ELECTRICAL (FIRE) HAZARD DUE TO THE WATER IN THE SWITCHES CORRODING AND FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME OF EXPOSURE. THERE WAS WATER POURING OUT OF THE SWITCHES IN THE CEILING THAT CONTROL THE SUNROOF INTO THE CONSOLE AND DOWN THE FRONT DASH. THERE IS DISCOLORATION ALREADY STARTED.

NHTSA ID 11289903 · filed Dec 18, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-450. The contact stated that the vehicle had been diagnosed with an oil leak coming from the injector seals. The vehicle was serviced by the dealer and the contact picked up the vehicle after it was serviced. While driving from the dealer at approximately 40 MPH, the contact noticed white-grayish smoke coming from the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over as black smoke began to emit from the vehicle vents as all occupants exited the vehicle. The vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames and the authorities were called to the scene. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A fire report was filed. The contact, his wife and daughter all experienced mental trauma as a result of the fire; no medical attention was given. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was later taken into possession by the contact's insurance company. The dealer was notified of the failure and denied any responsibility for the fire. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and a case was filed; the contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID 11592921 · filed Jun 6, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle air bag dash light warning lamp started to periodically come on and stay on, when it should have been off after the initial start cycle. When the air bag light is on, it reflects a defect in the system. Vehicle is not safe to drive with malfunctioning air bag system. The vehicle has a warranty on safety issues until 60,000 miles. We have confirmation of the issue in writing with Seth Wadley Ford dated March 12, 2020 with mileage recorded as 48,444. The service order number is 323328. It was again noted at Seth Wadley Ford dated July 6, 2020 with mileage recorded as 51,064. The service order number is 331898. Ford Motor Co. opened a case CAS-29479403. January 26, 2021 vehicle was dropped off at Seth Wadley Ford for repair. Ford Motor Co agreed to pay for the repair. The vehicle was in the shop until March 22, 2021. Service invoice number 348793 shows replacement of module, wiring asy main, sensor asy air bag, module seat heater control, and module seat heater control. November 2021, problem started recurring. February 21, 2022 went to Seth Wadley Ford with the light on to document recurrence of problem. Ford Motor Co. opened new case CAS-35533984. Seth Wadley Ford was unable to take truck in for repair until May 9, 2022. Vehicle shows DTC code for passenger air bag. Dealership cleared code and fault lamp recurs but does not show any code. Recommended replacement of air bag and pigtail. Ford Motor Co indicates repair is not under warranty. June 24, 2022, I contacted Ford Motor Co regarding repair, as this is a recurring problem related to initial complaint and repair. CAS-35533984 had been closed. A representative of Ford Motor Co. re-opened a new case CAS-37340218 Ford Motor Co offered to split repair 60/40. With additional extended warranty to include air bag/safety items at no charge. July 11, 2022 To date repair authorization has not been issued. Repair has not been completed.

NHTSA ID 11473577 · filed Jul 12, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WAS PASSING BY THE TRUCK THE ALARM WAS GOING OFF, UPON OPENING THE DOOR THERE WAS WATER POURING OUT OF THE DOOR, THEN I NOTICED THE FRONT DASH WAS SOAKING WET. THE CONSOLE HAD SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER IN IT. THE TRUCK WAS FLATBEDDED TO COLUMBIA FORD, FOUND SUNROOF WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY FROM FORD FACTORY. TRUCK HAS 2" OF WATER IN CONSOLE, DRIPPING FROM HEADLINER AND SWITCHES, AND FLOOR. SEATS ARE SOAKED. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT FORD DEALERSHIP THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY CANNOT REMOVE THE SEATS OR THE FLOOR MATS BECAUSE FORD WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM TO DO THE JOB. NOW MY TRUCK HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO MAJOR WATER FOR 10 DAYS AND IS STILL NOT BEING FIXED. NO ONE IS TOUCHING THE WATER THAT REMAINS IN THE CONSOLE, FLOOR OR SEATS. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY AND THEY HAVE DENIED REPLACEMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS IN EXTREMELY GOOD CONDLITION PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERYDAY TO SEE IF THIS TRUCK IS DRYING OUT. WE JUST REMOVED THE SILL PLATE TO EXPOSE WIRES THAT ARE COMPLETELY UNDERWATER. AND THERE IS STILL 1" OF WATER IN THE FLOOR OF THE TRUCK. THE SERVICE MNGR QUOTED TO ME THERE WILL BE NO WAY HE COULD GUARANTEE THAT THIS TRUCK WILL NOT MOLD AND WILL NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE FUTURE. THEY ARE NOT TAKING OUT ANYTHING OUT OF THE TRUCK, SEATS, FLOOR LINER ... NOTHING. WE HAVE A CASE NUMBER WITH FORD, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT RECOMMENDED THAT WE CONTACT YOUR COMPANY FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE FORD HAS DENIED THE CLAIM FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS TRUCK IS GOING TO MOLD DUE TO THE WATER AND IS AN ELECTRICAL (FIRE) HAZARD DUE TO THE WATER IN THE SWITCHES CORRODING AND FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME OF EXPOSURE. THERE WAS WATER POURING OUT OF THE SWITCHES IN THE CEILING THAT CONTROL THE SUNROOF INTO THE CONSOLE AND DOWN THE FRONT DASH. THERE IS DISCOLORATION ALREADY STARTED.

NHTSA ID 11289903 · filed Dec 18, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .