CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2014 Ford F-550 SD

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

9

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2014 Ford F-550 SD have filed 9 safety complaints with NHTSA between June 2014 and August 2023. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 2 of them (22%). The typical failure was reported at 33,006 miles, the median across the 8 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

15V175000 · March 25, 2015

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.
The risk
Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.

Ford Motor Company · up to 6,322 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION

15V024000 · January 22, 2015

The defect
Life Line Emergency Vehicles (Life Line) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Life Line-modified Ford F-Series emergency vehicles that are equipped with Liquid Spring-brand aftermarket suspension kits. The mounting bracket that attaches the suspension fluid tank to the frame may fail allowing the fluid tank to separate from the vehicle.
The risk
If the suspension fluid tank mount fractures and the tank separates from the chassis, the tank may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall began on February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Life Line customer service at 1-563-578-3317.

Life Line Emergency Vehicles · up to 4 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V336000 · June 18, 2014

The defect
Dual-Tech, Inc. (Dual-Tech) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-550 Super Duty trucks modified by Dual-Tech, equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
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.
The remedy
Dual-Tech will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2014. Owners may contact Dual-Tech customer service at 1-800-852-0345.

Dual-Tech, Inc. · up to 42 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V328000 · June 13, 2014

The defect
Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. This will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.
The risk
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.
The remedy
Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. · up to 21 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V327000 · June 12, 2014

The defect
Stahl is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Stahl and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
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.
The remedy
Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1-800-277-8245, or Muncie at 1-800-367-7867.

Stahl · up to 10 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

14V307000 · June 4, 2014

The defect
Tactical Vehicle Outfitters (Tactical) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ford F-350 and F-550 vehicles modified by Tactical and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.
The risk
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.
The remedy
Tactical will notify owners, and dealers will install a new PTO pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Tactical customer service at 1-405-603-6700.

Tactical Vehicle Outfitters · up to 19 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown

RQ14005

Closed recall query · opened January 13, 2015 · closed March 15, 2016 · led to recall 15V175000

the electrical system, the engine, the engine and its cooling

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equipped with four (4) EGT sensors to monitor engine operating conditions. An EGT sensor fault may produce false exhaust over-temperature signals. If these signals are produced, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) implements a Failure Management Effects Mode (FMEM) and the driver receives a Stop Safely Now (SSN) system warning on the instrument cluster message center. The FMEM triggers a 70% reduction in available engine power over a period of no more than 45 seconds, during which it may not be possible to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed. The PCM then commands the engine to shut down when vehicle speed reaches approximately 1 mph. There is no immediate restart capability. Depending on the PCM software calibration, ignition key position and ambient temperature conditions, the engine may not restart until the end of a 10-60 minute cool down period.Ford and its component supplier(s) made numerous changes to the PCM software calibration and the design, material and manufacture of the EGT sensors over the period of subject vehicle production. This continuous product improvement affected vehicle performance regarding the alleged defect. Ford acknowledges the defect condition in the subject vehicles but argues that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is limited to Ambulance Package and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles where commanded shutdown could impact emergency response and patient care. Ford also argues that the defect trend is in decline. Ford also initiated a new safety recall (15V-175) to address the 13V-535 remedy concerns in the Ambulance Package vehicles and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles. The 15V-175 remedy reprograms the PCM with a new software calibration that stops a single EGT sensor fault to cause the vehicle to enter the FMEM shutdown mode.Ford also initiated an EPA emissions recall (14E03) for all subject vehicles that reprograms the PCM with the software calibration employed in safety recall 15V-175. Finally, Ford initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program (15M01) providing extended warranty coverage of 8 years or 80,000 miles for the the EGT sensors on certain MY2011-2012 subject vehicles.Due to the EPA emissions recall, that had a 66.6% completion rate in Ford's December 2015 progress report to the EPA, the defect trend is in decline. ODI is not aware of any crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect.ODI believes the alleged defect poses a safety risk but notes that the EPA emissions recall is addressing the safety problem.Compelling issuance of a duplicate recall would not represent a wise use of agency resources.Accordingly, this Recall Query is closed.This action is not a finding that no defect exists and NHTSA will take further action if such action is warranted.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 9.

ENGINE 2 22%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 22%
STRUCTURE 2 22%
POWER TRAIN 1 11%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 11%
STEERING 1 11%
WHEELS 1 11%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2016 at 3.

2014 2016 2023
2014 to 2023

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

fire · 26,242 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD F-550 CRANE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, IT CAUGHT FIRE OVERNIGHT UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED BFI JOB NUMBER: 304652019, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,242. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA complaint 11252907. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · 36,012 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-550. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, IT CAUGHT FIRE OVERNIGHT UNDER THE HOOD. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,012.

NHTSA complaint 11252912. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 88,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A WINDING COUNTRY ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY NOTICE LARGE VOLUME SMOKE COMING FROM TRUCK. IT WAS A SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE, FITTING SIMPLY CAME APART, SPEWING TRANSMISSION FLUID ON HOT EXHAUST AND UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, NEARLY CAUSING A FIRE AND DISABLING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ON SIDE OF ROADWAY UNABLE TO MOVE TO SAFETY. FLUID ON ROADWAY COULD CAUSE UPCOMING VEHICLES (TRYING TO AVOID DISABLED VEHICLE) BEING UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY, ESPECIALLY MOTORCYCLES, PART IS POORLY DESIGNED/ENGINEERED AND WOULD/SHOULD NEVER FAIL UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. PART IS NOT A NORMALLY SERVICED OR "WEAR" TYPE PART. NO WARNING OF POTENTIAL OR EMINENT FAILURE. I AM 66

NHTSA complaint 11220902, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

64,656 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Thor Outlaw Motorhome built on a 2014 Ford F-550 Super Duty chassis. The contact stated she noticed that the front cap was separating from the structure. The contact took the motorhome to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front cap to be replaced. The motorhome was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,656.

NHTSA complaint 11539737. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

30,000 miles

FORD HAS INSTALLED SIX FUEL TANKS IN THIS TRUCK. ALL HAVE CRACKED DUE DO FAULTY FACTORY INSTALLATION. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTO'S IF YOU WANT THEM. FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT WON'T FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint 10881909. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

47,937 miles

FUEL TANK DEVELOPS A LEAK AND WE HAVE REPLACE FOUR FUEL TANKS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT.

NHTSA complaint 10860895. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-550 SD

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 9 12
2021 12 9
2015 11 3

Other 2014 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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