Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford F-550, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, diesel6
- Suspension3
- Power train3
- Engine3
- Structure2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Unknown or other1
- Service brakes1
- Visibility1
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 23 2020 F-550 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 0 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2020 Ford F-550 failed the safety check 0.97% of the time — 17% less often than the average 2020 passenger car (1.18%). Median odometer at inspection: 26,548 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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.
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2020 Ford F-550: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10240743 | 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. |
| 10222457 | 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, 2022, for owner paid repairs completed prior to owner notification date |
| 10202717 | Certain 2017 through 2020 Model Year F550 Equipped with Payload Plus Upgrade Package Frame Rail Crack REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Technical Instructions: Updated to clarify amount of use for Rotobroach cutter. Attachment V: Updated list of trucks that will not require bracket installation. |
| 10201640 | 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. |
| 10199481 | 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 springs were built to match the FGAWR labels on these units. The customer did not receive the front coil spring capability they were expecting based on the data in the marketing Order Guide and their reserve capacity might be lower than expected. |
| 10194419 | Some 2018-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit inoperative remote features via the Ford Pass/Lincoln Way mobile app, incomplete user authorization, no modem electronic serial number (ESN) displayed or DTCs U2100 and/or B156D in the telematics control unit (TCU). These symptoms may persist even after performing a TCU software update and/or replacement. To correct this condition, start a new session with the latest version of the appropriate diagnostic scan tool and perform a PMI on the TCU. If issues persist, open a hotline assistance request and include the IDS version (if applicable) us |
| 10181931 | Some 2018-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit inoperative remote features via the Ford Pass/Lincoln Way mobile app, incomplete user authorization, no modem electronic serial number (ESN) displayed or DTCs U2100 and/or B156D in the telematics control unit (TCU). These symptoms may persist even after performing a TCU software update and/or replacement. To correct this condition, start a new session with the latest version of the appropriate diagnostic scan tool and perform a PMI on the TCU. If issues persist, open a hotline assistance request and include the IDS version (if applicable) us |
| 10177880 | Some 2020 F-Super Duty vehicles built on or before 26May-2020 equipped with a high mounted stoplamp camera, may exhibit various concerns such as poor image quality, flickering and/or intermittent blank screen. If a vehicle exhibits any of these conditions replace the high mounted stoplamp camera. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 417-01. For claiming, use causal part 19G490 and applicable labor operations in Section 11 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual. |
| 10174384 | In some of the affected vehicles , a piston oil cooler bracket may have been damaged during engine assembly. A damaged piston oil cooler bracket may allow the piston oil cooler to detach. This can lead to low engine oil pressure and may result in intermittent engine noises and/or illumination of the check engine light due to diagnostic trouble code(s). |
| 10164596 | Some 2013-2020 vehicles equipped with an EVDC air conditioning (A/C) compressor may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function. To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC control valve tester has been provided to each U.S. dealership (339-EVDC100). Ensure the A/C system has a full charge prior to any compressor diagnostics. To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC compressor tool must be used, and the results recorded in the Technician comments field with the warranty claim. This tester will help reduce the potential for misdiagnosis and unnece |
| 10164508 | Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid d |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation