Ford F-550 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford F-550 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2014 drew the fewest (2) and the 2020 the most (17).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 1 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
6 | 1 | Engine | — | — |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
8 | 10 | Steering | — | — |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2011 | 12 | 5 | Engine | — | — |
| 2012 | 13 | 5 | Engine | — | — |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
13 | 5 | Structure | — | — |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
14 | 4 | Engine | — | — |
| 2020 Among the most complaints |
17 | 2 | Fuel system | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford F-550 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2020 Ford F-550: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 6 (35%); Engine 3 (18%); Power train 3 (18%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Ford F-550: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 5 (36%); Structure 4 (29%); Electrical system 3 (21%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 3 fires. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Ford F-550: 13 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 3 (23%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (15%); Service brakes 2 (15%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford F-550 years with the fewest complaints
2014 Ford F-550: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 1 (50%); Fuel system 1 (50%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 1 recall campaign listed.
2013 Ford F-550: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 2 (33%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (17%); Steering 1 (17%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 1 recall campaign listed.
2018 Ford F-550: 8 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 2 (25%); Structure 2 (25%); Suspension 2 (25%).
10 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford F-550 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 72,000 |
| 2011 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22,555 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford F-550 recalls
- Reduced Seat Back Strength/FMVSS 202 & 207 (2019–2020 model years; 639,137 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2019; 19V633000)
- Block Heater Cable Splice Connector May Corrode (2017–2019 model years; 410,289 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2018; 18V894000)
- TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER (2012 model year; 16,091 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2011; 11V582000)
- Door may Unlatch in a Side Impact Collision (2017 model year; 14,410 vehicles across all models; filed May 2017; 17V331000)
- Ambulance Engine Stall (2011–2012 model years; 2,951 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2013; 13V535000)
All 23 Ford F-550 recall campaigns · Ford F-550 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford F-550 years FAQ
Which Ford F-550 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2014 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford F-550 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2020, 2019 and 2017 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford F-550 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (28 of 94 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford F-550 have?
NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns covering the Ford F-550. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford F-550 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.