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U.S. public vehicle records

2020 Ford F-550: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

38,239 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Diesel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 17 complaints (29.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Fuel system concerns317.6%
Transmission and shifting211.8%
Engine operation211.8%

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.

Fuel System, Diesel
5
Engine
3
Power Train
3
Suspension
3
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Structure
2
Electrical System
1
Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Fuel System, Diesel5
Engine3
Power Train3
Suspension3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Structure2
Electrical System1
Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump1

Fuel System, Diesel: 5; Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Suspension: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Structure: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 8 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.

2021
1
2022
4
2024
3
2025
6
2026
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20211
20224
20243
20256
20263

2021: 1; 2022: 4; 2024: 3; 2025: 6; 2026: 3

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Diesel leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 11413180 · 2021-04-21 (April 21, 2021)

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON DURING NORMAL, STRAIGHT AND LEVEL HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 60 MPH, INDICATING AN ESC SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING AND REMAINED ON FOR THE REMAINING 12 MILES OF MY JOURNEY. AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT THE ESC LIGHT OPERATED NORMALLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED WHILE PARKED.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,393 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413180 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 11470720 · 2022-06-23 (June 23, 2022)

The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Georgetown constructed on a 2020 Ford F53 chassis. The contact stated that the weight of the motorhome was falsely advertised and that the motorhome was over the weight limit for the chassis it was built. The contact stated that the motorhome OCCC (Occupant Carrying Capacity Certificate) advertised for the motorhome was 19,208; however, the contact weighed the motorhome with the motorhome completely empty and the certified weight was 21,080. The contact stated that while driving the motorhome, an abnormal cl…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11470720 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11473867 · 2022-07-14 (July 14, 2022)

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V250000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473867 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11478581 · 2022-08-10 (August 10, 2022)

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle emitted a strong odor of fuel into the cabin. The contact stated that other drivers were pointing at the underside of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and observed fuel leaking from a filter, the underside of the hood and engine compartment on the driver's side were covered in fuel. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called a dealer and was advised to change the filter. The contact stated that the vehicle expe…

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11478581 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11583076 · 2024-04-15 (April 15, 2024)

See attached document for complaint

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11583076 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11587794 · 2024-05-09 (May 9, 2024)

Ford Motor Company has had a known issue with the truck frames cracking on the F-550 chassis. They acknowledged it by doing a recall, which either replaced or repaired the chassis frame or installed reinforcement braces if no cracks were visible. The recall expired in September of 2023. In October 2023 we noticed a crack on the frame just outside the recall reinforcement brace that Ford-certified technicians installed. We found another in November (reinforcement brace installed) and another in January (with Ford's new and improved frame pro…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11587794 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11598253 · 2024-07-02 (July 2, 2024)

frame crack right behind cab. have two trucks with the same issue second vin ends in [XXX]. ford had a safety program 21B04 that expired which means they are aware of this issue and should issue a recall for it. ford has repeatedly refused to help with this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11598253 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

19V633000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

Reported: 2019-08-28 (August 28, 2019)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V099000 · Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

Reported: 2020-02-21 (February 21, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-550 and 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and driveshaft separation.

Consequence: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur and increase the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it, or replace the rear axle as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S09.

NHTSA campaign record ↗