2020 Ford F-550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Diesel (5) · Power Train (3) · Suspension (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-550 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit 2020-02-21 · campaign 20V099000 · 319 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seats:front Assembly:recliner 2019-08-28 · campaign 19V633000 · 639,137 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (12)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-23 · 25N10S1 · Other
certain 2017-2025 f-450 – f-600 chassis cab upfitted with an aerial bucket frame rail crack
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-06-08 · SAN-Vol1 I1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the service awareness newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a tsb, ssm, gsb, or other electronic communication. this article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and other service information.
Structure:frame And Members 2022-09-19 · 21B04 S4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain 2017 through 2020 model year f550 equipped with payload plus upgrade package frame rail crack program terms: program will be extended for an additional year; urgency/expiration date: program will be extended for an additional year owner refunds: refunds have been extended to december 31,
Structure 2021-10-07 · 21B04-S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain 2017 through 2020 model year f550 equipped with payload plus upgrade package frame rail crack reason for this supplement ã¢â⢠technical instructions: updated to clarify amount of use for rotobroach cutter.ã¢â⢠attachment v: updated list of trucks that will not require bracket installati
Structure 2021-09-24 · 21B04 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain 2017 through 2020 model year f550 equipped with payload plus upgrade package ;frame rail crack in some of the affected vehicles certain second unit body (sub) upfits could cause stress points on the frame rail. over time this stress could cause a crack in the frame rail behind the cab.
Suspension 2021-07-13 · 21B42 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all of the affected vehicles were built with front spring and front gross axle weight rating (fgawr) below the customer expected value. the marketing order guide stated that on units equipped with ambulance & wrecker packages, customers would get up to 7000 lb front spring fgawr. the front coil spri
Showing the 6 most recent of 12 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-29 · Fuel System, Diesel · 150,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-550. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it was discovered that there was metal deposits inside the system causing the fuel pump failure. the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel). the dealer was contacted but failed to retrieve the correct diagnos…”
2026-04-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“i had my truck serviced, engine oil and fuel filters replaced, i picked up truck and while driving home, engine loss of power came on screen, truck then stalled, i observed smoke coming from under the hood, i exited vehicle to try and open hood, but flames were already present, i called 911 fire department came and put fire out. truck is a total lo…”
2026-04-02 · Fuel System, Diesel · 85,172 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-550. the contact stated that while driving at 20 mph, the fuel injector became inoperable. the check engine warning light became illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was c…”
2025-12-30 · Fuel System, Diesel“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-550. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of…”
2025-10-08 · Power Train“at ~93,000 miles, my 2020 ford f-550 (7.3l “godzilla” v8) suffered catastrophic engine failure due to a roller lifter bearing failure, causing internal valvetrain damage and requiring full engine replacement. ford dealer stated they recommended 90% coverage of the repair under goodwill through corporate, but later reduced coverage to 40% without e…”
2025-05-14 · Power Train · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-550. the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle unintentionally rolled away while the transmission was in park(p). no warning light was illuminated. additionally, the vehicle jerked while driving uphill. the vehicle also jerked violently while downshifting from third to second gear. the vehicle wa…”
2025-04-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System“there was a recall on this veh. over a year ago and they still do not have the parts to repair it. my fuel milage went from 13.8 down to 9.6 and still going down. i have called ford about this and they say they are still waiting on parts. i reminded them it has been over a year now and should have had the parts in a long time ago.…”
2025-03-24 · Fuel System, Diesel:delivery:fuel Pump · 38,239 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-550. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer wa…”
2025-02-13 · Fuel System, Diesel · 34,704 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-550. the contact stated while driving 60-70 mph, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor. the message "fuel pressure low" was displayed. the contact was driven to the residence. the contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that approximately 40 gallons of fuel had leaked out of the vehicle. the deale…”
2024-07-02 · Suspension“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.