2017 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 54owner reports
- 82,000median miles
- $5,449median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 27, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
366 of the 1,441 complaints on this car are about the engine. 54 of those describe engine failure.
Tick what matches of 54 reports
Engine failure 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, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (46 reports), the timing chain (7 reports) and the turbo (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
All 18 recalls on the 2017 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the F-150
Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.
Reduced power during hard acceleration. Closed apr 7, 2014.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed aug 31, 1994.
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed jul 30, 1993.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
What owners paid
8 of the 54 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,000 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 60,000 and 108,000 miles, from the 30 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 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.
It may be possible that an undesirable noise may develop from the cam phasers in the 3.5L GTDI engine. This noise might occur as a rattle when starting the engine after your vehicle was turned off for an extended period of time, or as a knocking noise when ...
In some of the affected vehicles, an undesirable noise may develop from the cam phasers in the 3.5L GTDI engine. This noise might occur as a rattle when starting the engine after the vehicle was turned off for an extended period of time or as a knocking noise ...
WHEN SERVICING A 2.7L OR 3.0L ECOBOOST ENGINE, IF THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY IS REMOVED, CORRECT REASSEMBLY IS CRITICAL TO PREVENT POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE.
What owners wrote
“An unknown coolant leak with my 2017 2.7 engine causing sufficient damage due to a manufacturer error and needing a new engine. I had several people tell me this is a common issue with 2.7 engines.”
Filed Mar 30, 2026
“The oil pan leaking is a known problem with their design. It is a problem because of them using a plastic part meeting a aluminum part. They know its a problem. If the leak in the pan continues to leak and oil can contact the hot exhaust and cause a fire, or if enough oil was to leak out while driving, the engine could seize and cause the truck to go out of control.”
Filed Jan 14, 2026
“The oil pan has a rtv gasket from factory and started leaking, Iâve replaced it twice and is still leaking. Itâs expensive and cumbersome. It runs the risk of oil starvation, this would cause catastrophic engine failure, ford has TSB for this issue. UNKNOWN UNKNOWN”
Filed Sep 17, 2025
“The cam phasers wear prematurely causing possible issues with engine timing and engine failure”
Filed May 27, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 54 reports involved a crash. 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
- Doors, latches or locks fail 101 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
- 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