
Inspection report
GQE8Q2K9Ford F-150 King Ranch SuperCrew 4WD 2017
Verdict
NO GO
Not recommended
Reliability
6/10
Average reliability
Suggested price
$26,263
$29,963 listed
Things to watch
4




Data sources
We have checked more than 1,000 data sources in 48 countries.
Specialist sites
Cross-checked with motoring websites, owners' forums and official recall data.
Strengths and weaknesses
4 strengths · 4 weaknessesReassuring
- +Powerful and torquey 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (375 hp, 470 lb-ft), excellent for towing heavy loads.
- +Luxurious King Ranch trim features premium Mesa leather, heated/ventilated seats, and advanced tech.
- +Lightweight aluminum-alloy body resists rust and significantly improves overall payload capacity.
- +Spacious SuperCrew cabin offers a flat rear load floor and massive legroom for all passengers.
Worrying
- −The 10-speed 10R80 automatic transmission can suffer from harsh shifting and internal CDF drum failure.
- −The 3.5L EcoBoost engine is highly susceptible to expensive cam phaser rattle issues on cold starts.
- −Prone to plastic oil pan leaks requiring a labor-intensive reseal or an aftermarket aluminum pan upgrade.
- −Its large footprint and wide turning radius make it cumbersome to maneuver and park in tight city spaces.
Price analysis
Asking price
$29,963
Suggested price
$26,263
Room to negotiate
− $3,700
$26,263
Suggested
$27,500
Market value
$29,963
Asking
Negotiation arguments
Cam Phaser Risk
− $1,500No proof of updated cam phasers installed. This common 3.5L cold-start rattle is a very expensive fix.
10R80 Transmission Check
− $1,000First year of the 10-speed auto, known for harsh shifts. Deduct for potential diagnosis and valve body wear.
Oil Pan Leak Inspection
− $8002017 EcoBoosts often leak from the plastic oil pan. Requires significant labor to properly reseal the block.
4WD IWE Grinding
− $400Known vacuum hub issue causing 4x4 grinding noises. Deduct to cover check valve or actuator replacement.
Registration costs & taxes
Origin: US
When buying
$1,678 – $2,172
Every year
$300 – $550
Costs on top of the price, then every year.
State and Local Sales Tax
Nebraska state and local sales tax (typically 5.5% to 7%) based on the purchase price.
Title and Registration Fees
Standard Nebraska DMV title transfer and initial license plate fees.
Motor Vehicle Tax and Renewal
Annual Nebraska vehicle tax based on age and original MSRP, plus standard registration renewal.
Known faults for this model
5 known faultsCam Phaser Rattle
Cold start rattle from the timing chain area around 60k-100k miles, leading to poor timing. Requires replacing cam phasers and chains.
10R80 Harsh Shifting
The 10-speed auto often suffers from clunky, delayed, or harsh shifts. Caused by software issues or internal CDF drum failure at 50k miles.
Plastic Oil Pan Leak
The factory plastic oil pan warps and leaks where it meets the aluminum block. Very common on 2017 EcoBoosts, requires a complete reseal.
IWE Vacuum Hub Grinding
The 4WD Integrated Wheel End (IWE) check valves fail, causing a grinding noise from the front hubs under acceleration. Wears out actuators.
Panoramic Sunroof Rattle
The massive twin-panel sunroof tracks are prone to breaking or rattling, while clogged drain tubes can cause water to leak into the cabin.
Expected maintenance plan
Key jobs based on the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, mileage and age
Urgent
$80 – $120
Coming up
$750 – $1,250
To budget for after purchase
$830 – $1,370
| Job |
|---|
Engine Oil & Filter Change Replace every 7,500 miles or 6 months to protect the twin turbos and timing chain components. Use 6 quarts of Motorcraft 5W-30 Full Synthetic oil and an OEM filter for optimal longevity. Urgent≈ $80 – $120 |
Transmission Fluid Service Change the Mercon ULV fluid and filter every 60k-80k miles. Ignoring Ford's 150k-mile interval is highly recommended to prevent premature 10R80 transmission valve body and clutch failures. Coming up≈ $300 – $500 |
Spark Plugs Replacement The 3.5L EcoBoost runs hot and is hard on spark plugs. Replace all six every 60k miles to prevent misfires and maintain fuel economy. Use genuine Motorcraft SP-580 iridium spark plugs. Coming up≈ $200 – $350 |
Transfer Case & Diff Fluids Drain and refill the 4WD transfer case and the front/rear differentials every 60k miles. This ensures smooth 4x4 engagement and prevents premature wear of the drivetrain gears and bearings. Coming up≈ $250 – $400 |
Engine Coolant Flush Flush and replace the Motorcraft Orange/Yellow engine coolant at 100k miles. This protects the internal water passages, radiator, and turbo cooling lines from corrosion and overheating. Done≈ $150 – $250 |
Inspection checklist
Check items off during the call, then at the test drive
Market value
Estimated change in market value based on the model's typical depreciation.
Market price analysis
Price forecast
The Ford F-150 King Ranch SuperCrew 4WD should lose 40% of its value over 8 years.
Best time to buy
This vehicle loses about 40% of its value over 8 years. Worth bearing in mind to anticipate its real cost of ownership.
Suggested ownership horizon
Selling by 2027 would limit the loss in value. After that, depreciation keeps adding up every year.
Technical specifications
The vehicle's technical details.
Engine code
3.5L V6 EcoBoost (Gen 2)
Timing drive
Timing chain
Power
375 hp
Transmission
10-speed automatic
Drivetrain
4WD
Body style
Pickup Truck
Combined fuel economy
20 MPG
Fuel tank
23 gal
Cargo space
52.8 cu ft
Curb weight
4,822 lbs
Emissions
Carvizia analysis
The 3.5L EcoBoost emits approximately 445 grams of CO2 per mile (EPA estimate). It meets federal Tier 3 emissions standards.
CO₂ emissions
Manufacturer recalls
Passenger Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk
The passenger airbag inflator may rupture in a crash, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin; check VIN and have dealers replace it.
Unexpected Transmission Downshift to Second
A faulty sensor signal can cause an unexpected shift to second gear, risking a sudden loss of vehicle control; check VIN for a software fix.
Brake Master Cylinder Fluid Leak
Brake fluid may leak from the master cylinder into the booster, reducing front brake performance and increasing crash risk; check your VIN.
Brake Master Cylinder Leakage Risk
Fluid loss from the master cylinder front circuit into the booster reduces front braking efficiency; check your VIN to replace the cylinder.
Brake Master Cylinder Fluid Loss
Brake fluid leaking into the brake booster extends stopping distance and pedal travel, elevating crash risk; check VIN for master cylinder repair.
Front Seat Belt Pretensioner Fire
Deploying front seat belt pretensioners can spark and ignite interior carpet or insulation during a crash; check VIN for insulation modification.
Engine Block Heater Cable Fire
Water intrusion into the block heater cable splice can cause a electrical short and fire; check VIN if equipped with an engine block heater.
Engine Block Heater Cable Damage
A previously repaired engine block heater cable may harbor damage, risking an electrical short and vehicle fire; check VIN for inspection.
Transmission Shift Linkage Disconnection
A loose transmission shift linkage pin may prevent selecting gear positions or cause unexpected rollaway; check your VIN for dealer repair.
Missing Transmission Park Roll Pin
A missing roll pin in the 10-speed transmission can prevent Park engagement, creating an unintended rollaway hazard; check VIN for inspection.
Frozen Door Latch Unlatching Hazard
Water intrusion or bent cables may cause door latches to freeze and unlatch while driving; check your VIN for dealer door latch inspection.
Rear Inflatable Seat Belt Attachment
Inadequate attachment of the left rear seat belt buckle assembly can fail to restrain occupants in a crash; check VIN for bracket repair.
Instrument Cluster Display Power Loss
Cold start conditions may cause the 8-inch screen to shut off, obscuring gear position indicators; check VIN for cluster software update.
Instrument Cluster Cold Start Failure
Vehicles with improper previous repairs may lose cluster power on cold start, masking transmission gear indicators; check VIN for software fix.
Official NHTSA list. Check which recalls are still open on this exact vehicle with its VIN: nhtsa.gov/recalls
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Check a listingCheck a listing for this modelAverage price
$32,000