2017 Ford F-250 Safety Report

2017 Ford F-250 plagued by 'death wobble' steering issues and critical recalls, lacking official crash test ratings.

1151Complaints
2Recalls
35/100Reliability Score
12Crash Reports
12Fire Reports
13Injuries
Most reported components: Steering,Suspension (326)Steering (255)Suspension (139)Steering,Suspension,Wheels (50)Unknown Or Other (47)Structure (38)Steering,Suspension,Unknown Or Other (29)Fuel/Propulsion System (25)Electrical System (18)Engine (16)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Ford F-250

The 2017 Ford F-250 exhibits a concerning safety profile, primarily due to a high volume of complaints related to steering and suspension issues, often manifesting as the 'death wobble.' With 1151 total complaints, a significant portion (326 complaints) points to STEERING,SUSPENSION, and another 255 specifically to STEERING. This indicates a widespread and potentially dangerous defect where the vehicle's front end can violently shake at highway speeds, as described in numerous complaints. While NHTSA has not provided official crash test ratings for this specific model year, the sheer volume of complaints, including 12 crashes and 13 injuries, suggests real-world safety risks. Recall history for the 2017 F-250 includes two significant campaigns. One recall addresses an engine block heater issue (affecting 2017-2019 F-250 Super Duty and other models) where prolonged corrosion could lead to overheated or melted wiring, increasing fire risk. The second recall pertains to door latches (affecting 2017 F-250 and other models) where doors could unlatch and open in a side impact, increasing injury risk. These recalls highlight specific manufacturing defects that could compromise safety. Beyond the steering and suspension concerns, other notable complaint patterns include fuel system issues (25 complaints), electrical system problems (18 complaints, including reports of fires), and engine-related failures (16 complaints, some leading to complete shutdowns while driving). The presence of 12 fire incidents and 13 injuries among the complaints underscores the severity of some of these reported issues. The lack of NHTSA crash test ratings makes it difficult to assess structural integrity and occupant protection in a controlled environment, placing greater emphasis on the real-world complaint data.

Reliability Score

The 2017 Ford F-250 receives a reliability score of 35 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

Known Issues for the 2017 Ford F-250

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Ford F-250:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Death Wobble (Steering/Suspension)
Violent, uncontrollable shaking of the front end, particularly at highway speeds or after hitting bumps, making steering difficult and dangerous.		 High Common variable, often highway speeds miles
Engine Block Heater Wiring Corrosion
Prolonged corrosion can cause a resistive short, leading to overheated or melted wiring and increasing fire risk (subject to recall).		 High Occasional all miles
Door Latch Failure
Doors may unlatch and open in a side impact collision, increasing the risk of occupant injury (subject to recall).		 High Occasional all miles
Fuel System Leaks/Failures
Fuel filter leaks, inlet line clip detachment, or fuel pump control module issues leading to fuel loss, engine stalling, or fire risk.		 Medium Occasional variable miles
Engine Stalling/Reduced Power
Vehicle unexpectedly loses motive power, shuts down while driving, or enters reduced power mode, often without warning.		 High Occasional variable miles
Electrical System Fires
Electrical shorts behind the dashboard or other components leading to vehicle fires.		 High Rare variable miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Ford F-250:

Steering,Suspension 28% of complaints

Predominantly reported as the 'death wobble' where the front end shakes violently at speed, making the vehicle difficult to control.

Steering 22% of complaints

Issues related to steering looseness, difficulty in control, and the 'death wobble' phenomenon.

Suspension 12% of complaints

Problems contributing to vehicle instability, shaking, and the 'death wobble'.

Fuel/Propulsion System 2% of complaints

Fuel leaks, fuel pump issues, and related failures causing stalling or loss of power.

Electrical System 2% of complaints

Various electrical malfunctions, including shorts and, in some cases, leading to fires.

Engine 1% of complaints

Engine stalling, reduced power, and complete engine failures reported by owners.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Ford F-250

Is the 2017 Ford F-250 safe?

Based on 1151 NHTSA complaints, including 12 crashes and 13 injuries, the 2017 Ford F-250 has significant safety concerns, particularly regarding widespread 'death wobble' steering/suspension issues. While there are no official NHTSA crash test ratings, two recalls address critical safety defects related to engine block heater wiring (fire risk) and door latches (injury risk in side impacts).

What are common problems with the 2017 Ford F-250?

The most reported issues for the 2017 Ford F-250 are related to STEERING and SUSPENSION, accounting for over 50% of complaints (326 for STEERING,SUSPENSION and 255 for STEERING alone). These frequently describe the 'death wobble.' Other common problems include fuel system issues (25 complaints), electrical system failures (18 complaints), and engine problems (16 complaints).

Has the 2017 Ford F-250 been recalled?

Yes, the 2017 Ford F-250 has been subject to two recalls. One recall (ENGINE component) addresses a potential fire risk from corroded engine block heater wiring. The second recall (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH component) addresses door latches that may unlatch in a side impact, increasing injury risk.

What is the 'death wobble' in the 2017 Ford F-250?

The 'death wobble' is a severe and uncontrollable shaking of the front end of the 2017 Ford F-250, often occurring at highway speeds or after hitting a bump. It is a frequently reported issue under STEERING and SUSPENSION complaints, making the vehicle difficult to steer and posing a significant safety hazard.

Are there fire risks with the 2017 Ford F-250?

Yes, there are reported fire risks. NHTSA data shows 12 fire incidents for the 2017 Ford F-250. One recall specifically addresses a fire risk due to corroded engine block heater wiring. Additionally, some complaints mention electrical shorts behind the dashboard leading to fires.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the high volume of critical steering/suspension complaints (death wobble), multiple recalls, and reports of fires and engine failures, exercise extreme caution; a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these known issues is essential, and consider alternative vehicles.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Ford F-250

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Ford F-250. The data includes 1151 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 12 reported crashes, 12 fire incidents, 13 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.