While driving a 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty Dually (6.7L Power Stroke) at highway speeds while towing a horse trailer containing live animals, a sudden and catastrophic failure of the secondary fuel filter occurred. The driver noticed a severe and sudden drop in fuel economy, accompanied by a strong diesel odor inside the cabin.Upon arriving safely at our destination, an inspection of the engine compartment revealed that the top plastic cap of the OEM secondary fuel filter housing had completely cracked right in the top middle. Diesel fuel was actively spraying out under extreme low-pressure system pressure (approximately 8.5 bar) all over the hot engine compartment.The pressurized diesel fuel completely saturated the front hood insulation liner, soaked the entire engine, coated the undercarriage, front left tire, all four rear dually tires, the truck bed, and the entire front face of the horse trailer. The fuel exposure has already caused multiple rubber gaskets and body-to-hood weatherstripping seals at the rear of the engine compartment to swell and degrade. This massive, pressurized fuel leak created an imminent, severe risk of a catastrophic engine fire while the vehicle was traveling at speed with a heavy load. The truck wasted roughly an entire 40-gallon tank of fuel (over $175 in extra fuel costs) during the transit due to the severity of the leak.This vehicle is a direct match for the vehicle and component population currently under active the federal safety agency Investigation PE24014. The Allevard Sogefi USA plastic fuel filter housing failed exactly as described in the federal probe due to over-pressurization. I have retained the defective cracked filter, photographic proof of the failure and subsequent vehicle/trailer damage, and fuel receipts as evidence.
2017 Ford F-350 SD: fuel leak
5 of the 575 complaints about the 2017 Ford F-350 SD describe fuel leak.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 2
Fuel leak by model year
- 20231
- 20221
- 20212
- 20201
- 20191
- 20181
- 20175
- 20161
- 20151
- 20121
- 20061
- 20051
- 20031
- 20021
- 20001
What owners say
Driving uphill at approx 20mph near my home. Loud bang/explosion from engine or front driver-side wheel well. Red alarm flashed on instrument cluster (something like “Front Brake Failure”) and strong odor of fuel or exhaust entered cab. I immediately pulled into a pullout and put vehicle in park when I noticed flames coming from the engine compartment through the gaps in hood and wheel well. I splashed a small amount of water on the driver side front tire, but the fire continued to grow. I backed away to a safe distance and called 911. Within 5 minutes, the entire engine compartment was on fire and I captured on video explosions as the fire raged Local fire department arrived within 15 minutes, but the entire engine and cab had already been destroyed by fire. Had I been driving at high speed or with passengers, this incident could have resulted in serious burn injuries and death. Had I been driving during summer months, this incident would have caused a devastating wildfire. Had I been in traffic, I may have caused a multi-car wreck. There were absolutely no warning indicators that such a violent incident could occur. Tow truck driver said it may have been a fuel filter issue which has caused other Super Duty’s to experience sudden and catastrophic engine compartment fires. Minimal research showed me that NHSTA is investigating Ford Super Duty for this very issue. My F350 is model year 2017. I also have video of fluids dripping from the burning vehicle and the droplets are on fire which leads me to believe that leaking fuel — possibly from a cracked plastic filter — may be to blame for this incredibly dangerous incident. The vehicles remains have been searched by California Highway Patrol and the remains are currently being investigated by State Farm Auto Insurance claims experts.
On two separate occasions—May 2025 and December 2025, approximately six months apart—I experienced fuel leaks from the upper fuel filter on my 2017 F-350 while driving. Both filters had previously been replaced with genuine Ford parts. I am deeply concerned that my safety was compromised during these incidents. In both cases, diesel fuel was leaking down the engine compartment without any warning indicators or alerts on the dashboard. The only indication of a problem was the smell of fuel, which I initially assumed was external. It wasn’t until I stopped the vehicle that I discovered a steady stream of fuel leaking. The most recent occurrence happened while I was on vacation, approximately 650 miles from home. There were no prior symptoms or warnings, making it extremely difficult to detect while driving, as the smell dissipates in the wind. In my opinion, this represents a significant safety hazard. Diesel fuel streaming down a hot engine could easily result in a fire, posing a serious risk to both the driver and passengers.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and a fuel leak was discovered in the secondary fuel filter. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. Recently, the same failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer for repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
I was driving approximately 70 MPH when I crossed a set of rail road tracks and the vehicle shook violently enough to cause me to enter left ditch. After applying the breaks and slowing to 15 MPH I regained control. I got out and check the tires and all seemed fine. Started to slowly drive and it was fine. A few miles later I began to smell diesel fuel. When I reached my destination the smell was very strong. Opened the hood and there was fuel leaking from the top of the engine and steaming from the inter cooler. Drive it to a ford dealer and they replaced the fuel filter as the shaking had caused it to crack.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks manufactured August 10, 2016, to September 17, 2016. The frame reinforcement bracket may not have been attached to the front fuel tank strap, allowing the fuel tank strap to separate from the frame.
- Risk
- A fuel tank strap that separates and allows the fuel tank to contact the ground may cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install the reinforcement bracket, free of charge. The recall began on February 7, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S45.
Recall number 16V945000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2017 Ford F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, and F-550 SD trucks manufactured March 21, 2016, to August 28, 2016. The protective shield on the fuel conditioning module may have inadequate adhesion, allowing the shield to become dislodged.
- Risk
- If the shield becomes dislodged, the drain valve may open resulting in a fuel leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire. Under certain conditions, significant liquid fuel on the road surface may cause a slip hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the protective shield, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S39.
Recall number 16V778000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2017 Ford F-350 SD fuel leak
Is fuel leak a common problem on the 2017 Ford F-350 SD?
5 of 575 owner complaints about the 2017 Ford F-350 SD (1%) mention fuel leak. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Ford F-350 SD?
There are 2 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2017 Ford F-350 SD
Ball joint 16Fuel pump 15Backup camera 13Tire blowout 13Fire or smoke 11Door locks 9Power steering loss 9Stalling 9Check engine light 7Loss of power 7Key fob 6
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