Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 2 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

2 total · 2 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V099000 · Feb 2020

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 19V633000 · Aug 2019

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

17 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
11

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 2transmission slipping 1
A recent report: 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…
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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 diagnostic trouble codes related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11753603 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11413180 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: 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…
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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 clanking and popping noise was coming from the vehicle while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle would push its way through corners and turns due to the weight of the motorhome. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that they were unable to perform the needed repair. Both the motorhome and chassis manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact stated that the chassis manufacturer claimed that the motorhome was overweight and the cause of the failure. The motorhome manufacturer claimed that the weight was correct and that there was no failure with the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,200.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11470720 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
3

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 3
A recent report: 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…
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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)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11598253 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: See attached document for complaint

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11583076 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 17 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2021 and 2026, roughly 3 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2020 has 17 complaints on file, more than the 2019 (14). That is the most of the 5 model years of the Ford F-550 we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.