2017 Ford F-550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Service Brakes: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Power Train:Driveline: 1; Steering: 1; Structure: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11073606 · 2018-02-19 (February 19, 2018)
FROM THE DAY I TOOK IT OFF THE LOT TRUCK PULLS LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKES SQUEAK VIBRATION STARTS AT 55MPH FILLS LIKE REAR ENDED IS LOSS TRUCK SWERVES . I WAS DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY WHEN REAR SLIDING WINDOW BLEW OUT FROM INSIDE OF CAB OUT SOUNDING LIKE A GUN SHOT OR TIRE BLEW UP INSIDE THE CAB AND BLEW GLASS ALL OVER MY 4 YEAR OLD IN BACK SEAT . I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK INTO FORD FOR A NUMBER OF THINGS BUT WON'T FIX VIBRATION OR THE WAY TRUCK DRIVES DOWN THE ROAD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11073606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11103422 · 2018-06-22 (June 22, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-550. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHULTS FORD (10401 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPONENTS CONNECTED TO THE DRIVESHAFT WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE DRIVELINE VIBRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17212000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,705.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,705 miles reported. Look up ODI 11103422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11183253 · 2019-02-28 (February 28, 2019)
FORD PUT A 2 RUBBER BRAKE HOSES WITH OUTER BRAIDED STEEL OUTER CASING ON THE BUILD AROUND THE A.B.S. UNIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ONE OF THESE HOSES FAILED INSTANTLY RESULTING IN A LOW SPEED COLLISION WITH NO BRAKES.WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING OF ANY KIND IE SOFT PEDAL ETC. NO KIND LIGHT CAME ON. THIS MUST BE CORRECTED BEFORE THIS STARTS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE U.S.A. THE TRUCK IS BEING REPAIRED AT AN AUSTIN,TX FORD DEALER WITH THE SAME PART THAT JUST HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE HOSE SHOWS NO RUBBING OR OUTSIDE CONTAMINATION IE D…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11183253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11394818 · 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FREEWAY FORD TRUCK SALES (8445 45TH ST, LYONS, IL 60534, [phone removed]) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421714 · 2021-06-21 (June 21, 2021)
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (Safety Act), S571.120 Tire/Rim Selection, S5.1.2, requires the sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to the axle shall be not less than the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of the axle system specified on the vehicle's certification label required by 49 CFR part 567. 567.77 requires any alterer of the vehicle to continue conformity with these requirements and assumes legal liability for certification under the Safety Act. The Siberian RV (see pic) is a customized off-road exp…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421714 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422616 · 2021-06-28 (June 28, 2021)
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (Safety Act), S571.120 Tire/Rim Selection, S5.1.2, requires the sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to the axle shall be not less than the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of the axle system specified on the vehicle's certification label required by 49 CFR part 567. 567.77 requires any alterer of the vehicle to continue conformity with these requirements and assumes legal liability for certification under the Safety Act. The Siberian RV (see pic) is a customized off-road exped…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422616 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478173 · 2022-08-08 (August 8, 2022)
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-550. The contact stated that after two to three minutes after the engine was idled, a ticking noise was heard in the engine. The noise would dissipate however, a rattling noise was heard next. The contact stated works as an independent mechanic and diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the #3 cylinder had a low oil pressure and that the camshaft and follower needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure…
Owner-reported narrative. 213,720 miles reported. Look up ODI 11478173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11584754 · 2024-04-23 (April 23, 2024)
See attached letter
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11584754 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V331000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | Structure:Body:Door
Reported: 2017-05-22 (May 22, 2017)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer. These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Consequence: If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V894000 · Engine
Reported: 2018-12-18 (December 18, 2018)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
Consequence: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V342000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
Reported: 2019-05-03 (May 3, 2019)
Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
Consequence: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Taylor Made will notify owners and Whelen will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2019. Owners may contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V358000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
Reported: 2019-05-13 (May 13, 2019)
Unruh Fire, Inc. (Unruh Fire) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550-based fire trucks equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
Consequence: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Unruh Fire has notified owners and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began in May 20, 2019. Owners may contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V401000 · Equipment
Reported: 2019-05-29 (May 29, 2019)
VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists (VCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550, 2014 E-350 and E-450, 2015 F-250 and F-450, 2016 E-450, 2017 E-350, F-450 and E-450, 2018 F-350, 2010 E-450, 2005-2006 E-450, 2009 E-450 and Chevrolet C4500-based Type I and Type III ambulances equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The monitors may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
Consequence: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists will work with ASA to notify the owners, and remedy the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics at 1-800-384-4400.
NHTSA campaign record ↗