Ford F-550 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
93 owner complaints analyzed
23 distinct recall campaigns
61,192 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 to 2020 model years. Data snapshot: . 60 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 93 complaints (30.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 14 | 15.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 12.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 28 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 8 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Suspension | 7 |
Engine: 28; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Fuel System, Diesel: 8; Steering: 8; Electrical System: 7; Power Train: 7; Structure:Body: 7; Suspension: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2012: 1; 2013: 5; 2014: 2; 2015: 5; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 5; 2019: 5; 2020: 5; 2021: 8; 2022: 8; 2023: 10; 2024: 15; 2025: 14; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10678302 · 2015-01-22 (January 22, 2015)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V535000 (ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. MA 07/30/15 UPDATED 9/19/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10678302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10759202 · 2015-08-25 (August 25, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-550. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE LOW POWER WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL LINE AND THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,633. UPDATED 11/06/15*LJ *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 19,633 miles reported. Look up ODI 10759202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10586723 · 2014-05-06 (May 6, 2014)
FUEL TANK IS RUSTED FROM INSIDE . CLOGS FILTERS AND SYSTEM . *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14,737 miles reported. Look up ODI 10586723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789548 · 2015-11-10 (November 10, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE FUEL TANK SHED INTO THE FUEL TANK AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE CLEANED. TWO YEARS LATER, AFTER THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789548 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590361 · 2024-05-23 (May 23, 2024)
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-550 chassis with an Earth Roamer RV. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the turbocharger needle on the instrument cluster fell to zero. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the abnormal banging sound was louder, and the vehicle lost motive power. The cont…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11590361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10511281 · 2013-05-09 (May 9, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD THOR DAYBREAK RV EQUIPPED WITH A 2013 FORD MH STRIPPED CHASSIS (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WANDER OUT OF THE TRAVELED LANE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT DROVE WITH CAUTION AT A LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A LOOSE STEERING SHIFT CLAMP BOLT. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REALIGNED AND THE BOLT WAS TIGHTENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11252148 · 2019-08-29 (August 29, 2019)
I HAVE ONLY USED THE TRUCK FOR FIVE MONTHS AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS AND ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK FROM THE GAS TANK LEAKING, PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE BOX HOIST THAT WOULD NOT RAISE. I HAVE HAD THE BOX HOIST FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE WELD KEEPS BREAKING. I AM SURE FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE HOIST PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED ANY RECALLS FOR IT. AS A CONSUMER I FEEL CHEATED. MY RECENT PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE, IT HAD STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AND SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY FOR NO REASON AT ALL AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MY SON WAS DR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11252148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11256086 · 2019-09-17 (September 17, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-550. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAULING SAND AND REGROUND GRAVEL UP A HILL, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO PARK. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED GEARS, AND RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED FAILURE OCC…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11256086 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11469065 · 2022-06-13 (June 13, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the transmission started slipping. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the planetary ring gear needed to be replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V256000 (Power Train). The VIN was included in the recall. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer who informed the contact that the…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11469065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11175026 · 2019-02-07 (February 7, 2019)
TRAILER CONNECTION WIRING FAULT CAUSES DASH BOARD TO FLASH MULTIPLE TIMES INDICATING TRAILER DISCONNECTED OR TRAILER LIGHT BULBS ARE NOT WORKING AND WILL REPEATEDLY FLASH ON DASH MAKING DINGING SOUNDS. THIS IS HAPPENING WITHOUT A TRAILER CONNECTED AS WELL. (TAKE NOT PREVIOUS YEARS OF FORD VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE)
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11175026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11680198 · 2025-08-12 (August 12, 2025)
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated that upon noticing an abnormal burning odor, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the wiring underneath the driver's side of the dashboard was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The mechanic replaced the wiring a second time; however, the failure persisted. The power train and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V894000 (Engine). The dealer and the manufacturer we…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11680198 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 5; 2012: 5; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 0; 2017: 5; 2018: 10; 2019: 4; 2020: 2