Know Your Truck

2017–2019 Ford F-250 / F-350 Super Duty common problems and fixes

More than half of all complaints describe front-end shake (death wobble), with no recall issued; several other recalls to check.

What owners should know

Covers 2017–2019 · 6.7L Power Stroke diesel and 6.2L V8 gas · Updated 2026-10-07

The 2017 Super Duty got an aluminum body on a new steel frame. Engines are the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel and the 6.2L V8 gas.

We counted 3,935 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2017–2019 F-250s and F-350s (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 2,897 from diesel trucks and 966 from gas trucks, identified by VIN; the rest (72) couldn't be matched to an engine. We left out 5 whose VIN belongs to another vehicle (e.g. an F-150 or a trailer). Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • Front-end shake ("death wobble") dominates: more than half of all complaints (about 2,350 mention a wobble or shimmy or shaking after a bump), on both diesel and gas trucks.
  • The high-pressure fuel pump (CP4.2) is still the most expensive known diesel failure.
  • Several recalls cover tailgates, driveshafts, block heaters and rear cameras. Check that they were done.

Front-end shake ("death wobble")

About 1,720 diesel complaints and 630 gas complaints mention a wobble or shimmy or the front end shaking after a bump, usually at highway speed. That's the highest share of any truck generation we cover. Owners filed a class-action lawsuit over it. No recall has been issued, so the fix is up to the owner.

Owners and front-end shops most often report lasting fixes from replacing worn parts, especially the track bar, ball joints and tie rods, and checking alignment. A new steering stabilizer alone frequently only hides it.

When buying: ask whether the shake has ever happened and what was replaced. Have a helper rock the steering wheel with the engine running while you watch the track bar ends. Hit bumps at 50–70 mph on the test drive. A truck with a documented front-end rebuild can be a safer bet than one that's never been touched.

6.7L diesel

  • High-pressure fuel pump (CP4.2): when it fails, metal can contaminate the whole fuel system, with repairs commonly reported at $8,000 or more. Ford's 2024 CP4 recall (24V957000) covers certain 2020–2022 trucks, not 2017–2019. Ask for fuel filter records and whether the pump was replaced.
  • Other commonly reported repairs: EGR cooler clogging, exhaust temperature sensors, radiator leaks, and the plastic intercooler pipe cracking under boost.

Recalls to check on these years

  • Tailgate may open by itself on certain trucks (water shorting the electric release switch, recall 19V864000)
  • Driveshaft may fracture on certain 2017–2018 4x4s (recall 22V880000), and on certain gas trucks with aluminum driveshafts (recall 22V087000)
  • Engine block heater cord may short and overheat on certain trucks (recalls 18V894000 and 19V278000)
  • 2019 4x4 front axle weld problem (recall 20V576000) and 2019 rear axle shaft on certain trucks with a locking rear differential (recall 19V688000)
  • Rear camera recalls on certain trucks (22V644000, 22V252000, 25V572000)

Body and rust

The aluminum body doesn't rust like steel, but check where steel and aluminum meet, along with the steel frame and brake lines.

Before you buy

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (17)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Front-end shake (death wobble)

    Moderate DIY

    Signs: Violent shaking of the steering wheel and front end after hitting a bump, usually at 45+ mph. Slowing down hard is often the only way to stop it.

    Fix: Find and replace the worn parts, most often the track bar or its bushings, then check ball joints, tie rod ends, the drag link and alignment. A new steering stabilizer alone usually only hides the problem.

    Shop: track barShop: steering stabilizer▶ How-to videos

  • High-pressure fuel pump (CP4) failure

    Best left to a shop

    Signs: Sudden stalling or no-start, low fuel pressure codes, metal in the fuel filter. Often there's little warning.

    Fix: Prevention is the part you can do: change both fuel filters on schedule, drain the water separator, and buy fuel from busy stations. Some owners add a kit that keeps pump debris away from the injectors. If the truck stalls or won't start, have a diesel shop confirm the cause (fuel pressure tests and checking the filters for metal) before quoting a pump. A confirmed pump failure that sent metal through the system usually means replacing the whole high-pressure fuel system.

    Shop: fuel filter kitShop: CP4 disaster prevention kit▶ How-to videos

  • 6.7L cracked intercooler pipe

    Easy DIY

    Signs: A loud pop, sudden loss of power, boost or limp-mode codes.

    Fix: Confirm the boost leak first (look for a cracked pipe or loose coupler, or have a shop smoke-test the intake). A cracked plastic cold-side intercooler pipe is replaced; many owners upgrade to a metal pipe.

    Shop: 6.7 Powerstroke cold side intercooler pipe▶ How-to videos

  • Tailgate opens by itself

    Dealer job

    Signs: The tailgate drops open while driving or parked, often after rain or a car wash.

    Fix: Covered by Ford recall 19V864000 on certain 2017–2019 trucks with the electric release switch in the tailgate handle: the dealer adds wiring jumpers and a new release switch. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 19V864000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Driveshaft failure risk

    Dealer job

    Signs: Vibration from under the truck. A failure can cause loss of drive power.

    Fix: Covered by Ford recalls 22V880000 (certain 2017–2018 4x4s: driveshaft replaced) and 22V087000 (certain 2017–2022 gas trucks with aluminum driveshafts: driveshaft inspected and insulators reattached). Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 22V880000 / 22V087000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Ford F-250 Super Duty

Ford F-350 Super Duty

Factory maintenance schedules

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →