Reliability & cost of ownership
Ford F-550 Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Ford F-550? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Ford F-550 problems by model year
38 recall entries across 13 model years and 94 owner complaints across 14 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining model year — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 F-550 | 2 | 17 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2019 F-550 | 4 | 14 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2018 F-550 | 10 | 8 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2017 F-550 | 5 | 13 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2016 F-550 | Not confirmed | 9 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2015 F-550 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2014 F-550 | 1 | 2 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2013 F-550 | 1 | 6 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2012 F-550 | 5 | 13 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2011 F-550 | 5 | 12 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2010 F-550 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2009 F-550 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2008 F-550 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2007 F-550 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Ford F-550, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine28 complaints
- structure13 complaints
- fuel/propulsion system10 complaints
- fuel system, diesel10 complaints
- steering8 complaints
- power train8 complaints
- engine and engine cooling8 complaints
- electrical system7 complaints