Ford F-550 years to avoid (and the best years)

68 NHTSA owner complaints and 16 recalls across 5 model years, 2011 to 2020. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

68complaints
16recalls
5reported crashes
6reported fires
1reported injuries

Which Ford F-550 years should you avoid?

No Ford F-550 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Ford F-550 year has 13 complaints on file.

What are the best Ford F-550 years?

The Ford F-550 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2017 (12), 2011 (12) and 2012 (13). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2020	17	1.3×	2	0	0	Few red flags	Fuel system
2019	14	1.1×	4	1	0	Few red flags	Engine
2017	12	0.9×	5	2	0	Few red flags	Engine
2012	13	1.0×	5	1	1	Few red flags	Engine
2011	12	0.9×	5	1	0	Few red flags	Engine

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 30 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain20 (67%)
Other systems4 (13%)
Structure & body3 (10%)
Steering, suspension & tires2 (7%)
Brakes1 (3%)

Recalls (16)

Transmission · 20V099000 · Feb 2020 · model year 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.
Safety · 19V633000 · Aug 2019 · model years 2019, 2020
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.
Safety · 19V401000 · May 2019 · model year 2017
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V398000 · May 2019 · model year 2019
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 19V358000 · May 2019 · model year 2017
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 19V342000 · May 2019 · model year 2017
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 19V226000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V894000 · Dec 2018 · model years 2017, 2019
When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 17V331000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Engine · 15V052000 · Jan 2015 · model year 2011
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Safety · 14V498000 · Aug 2014 · model years 2011, 2012
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Engine · 14V411000 · Jul 2014 · model year 2011
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Fuel system · 14V040000 · Feb 2014 · model years 2011, 2012
If the brackets break, the CNG tank may separate from the vehicle frame increasing the risk of a crash or possible fire.
Safety · 13V535000 · Oct 2013 · model years 2011, 2012
An unexpected engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, if this were to occur when the ambulance is transporting a patient, there is an increased risk of injury to the patient.
Engine · 13V380000 · Aug 2013 · model year 2012
Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
Transmission · 11V582000 · Dec 2011 · model year 2012
THIS WILL ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.