2017 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Doors, latches or locks fail
- 101owner reports
- 15,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report May 14, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
138 of the 1,441 complaints on this car are about the structure. 101 of those describe door latch.
Tick what matches of 101 reports
Door latch on other F-150 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Door complaints sound minor until you read them. The most common is a "door ajar" warning with every door shut. Others describe a door that won't open from inside, one that won't latch at all, locks that cycle on their own, and occasionally a door that opened while the car was moving.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the latch (93 reports), the handle (5 reports) and the actuator (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the structure cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.
These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision.
All 18 recalls on the 2017 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the structure on the F-150
Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 53,345 miles, from the 63 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 10 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 Ford F-150 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
On your vehicle, moisture and water entering a power door lock actuator housing could cause the actuator motor to momentarily freeze in cold temperatures and may also cause actuator motor corrosion over time.
In some of the affected vehicles, moisture and water entering a power door lock actuator housing can cause the actuator motor to momentarily freeze in cold temperatures and may also cause actuator motor corrosion over time.
Customer Satisfaction Program 18N03 - Supplement #7 Certain 2015-2018 Model Year F-150 and 2017-2018 Model Year F-250-F-550 Vehicles - Door Latch Freezing Concerns
Certain 2015-2018 Model Year F-150 and 2017-2018 Model Year F-250-F-550 Vehicles - Door Latch Freezing Concerns
6 more on the 2017 Ford F-150 page.
What owners wrote
“Driving from church with grandchildren in back seat and drivers side rear door came open on its own. Took several attempts to get it to latch back. Now door will not open.”
Filed Jan 14, 2024
“On cold days, general below 30 degrees, the drivers door will not latch. After the temperature warms, the door will latch. This renders the truck useless for 4 months of the year where we live. I have seen recalls on other Ford F150 for the door latch. But there are no active recalls for my truck. This is a major safety issue. Especially if the truck door comes unlatched while driving.”
Filed Nov 28, 2023
“Both front door latches have issues. When i enter the vehicle and attempt to shut the door, it doesnt latch closed. Instead the door just bounces back open. The only way i found to get the latch to engage is by locking the door not with the interior switch but with the keyfob lock button. Once i do that while the door is open, i can shut the door and it will latch closed. Issue is sporadic.”
Filed Feb 26, 2023
“The door latches are still freezing open and closed so the doors will not open or close properly. Took it to the dealership and they said ford will not cover it because the latches are not part of the recall apparently.”
Filed Feb 3, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 101 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Timing chain or cam phaser rattles 164 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 162 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 120 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 114 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 99 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 82 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 69 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 58 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 54 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 47 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 45 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 44 reports
- Rear window shatters or explodes 44 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 37 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 30 reports