Rey happened to hear a conversation between two First Order stormtroopers concerning the new T-17 while she was present on Starkiller Base. One stormtrooper expressed the opinion that the T-17s were significantly better, while the other countered by saying "they don't hold up," suggesting he spoke from firsthand knowledge.
Voice actor Sam Witwer included the T-17 references in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens and Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi. These were meant to echo a dialogue from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, where two stormtroopers discuss the BT-16 as Obi-Wan Kenobi deactivates the tractor beam. Witwer also inserted comparable lines referencing the T-15 in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Solo: A Star Wars Story, as well as the T-18 in Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker. A similar nod to the T-16 appeared in "Part III" of the show Obi-Wan Kenobi. The reference was adjusted depending on the time period.