CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2017 Ford F-550

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

15

Complaints

2

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2017 Ford F-550 have filed 15 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2018 and March 2026. The most complained-about system is the body structure, named in 3 of them (20%). The typical failure was reported at 99,000 miles, the median across the 6 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

19V463000 · June 18, 2019

The defect
Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling certain 2017 Ford F-550 vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
The risk
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Farber will notify owners, and Whelen will remedy the lights, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Whelen customer service at 1-860-718-2331 or Farber at 1-800-331-3188.

Farber Specialty Vehicles · up to 1 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

19V401000 · May 29, 2019

The defect
VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists (VCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550, 2014 E-350 and E-450, 2015 F-250 and F-450, 2016 E-450, 2017 E-350, F-450 and E-450, 2018 F-350, 2010 E-450, 2005-2006 E-450, 2009 E-450 and Chevrolet C4500-based Type I and Type III ambulances equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The monitors may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
The risk
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists will work with ASA to notify the owners, and remedy the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics at 1-800-384-4400.

VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists · up to 22 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

19V358000 · May 13, 2019

The defect
Unruh Fire, Inc. (Unruh Fire) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550-based fire trucks equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
The risk
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Unruh Fire has notified owners and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began in May 20, 2019. Owners may contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080.

Unruh Fire, Inc. · up to 4 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

19V342000 · May 3, 2019

The defect
Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
The risk
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Taylor Made will notify owners and Whelen will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2019. Owners may contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310.

Taylor Made Ambulances · up to 17 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE

18V894000 · December 18, 2018

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
The risk
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.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.

Ford Motor Company · up to 410,289 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

17V331000 · May 22, 2017

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer. These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
The risk
If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.

Ford Motor Company · up to 14,410 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 15.

STRUCTURE 3 20%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 20%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 13%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 13%
SUSPENSION 2 13%
ENGINE 1 7%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 1 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 7%
POWER TRAIN 1 7%
STEERING 1 7%
TIRES 1 7%
WHEELS 1 7%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2021 at 3.

2018 2021 2026
2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year

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 · crash · towed

My truck exploded on the expressway on 11-21-24 due to a manufacturer default.

NHTSA complaint 11626951. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · 118,000 miles

FORD PUT A 2 RUBBER BRAKE HOSES WITH OUTER BRAIDED STEEL OUTER CASING ON THE BUILD AROUND THE A.B.S. UNIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ONE OF THESE HOSES FAILED INSTANTLY RESULTING IN A LOW SPEED COLLISION WITH NO BRAKES.WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING OF ANY KIND IE SOFT PEDAL ETC. NO KIND LIGHT CAME ON. THIS MUST BE CORRECTED BEFORE THIS STARTS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE U.S.A. THE TRUCK IS BEING REPAIRED AT AN AUSTIN,TX FORD DEALER WITH THE SAME PART THAT JUST HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE HOSE SHOWS NO RUBBING OR OUTSIDE CONTAMINATION IE DIRT DEBRIS ETC. THE CRASH HAPPENED AT ABOUT 30 MPH, AND MODERATE BRAKING.

NHTSA complaint 11183253. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

towed · 24,705 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-550. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHULTS FORD (10401 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPONENTS CONNECTED TO THE DRIVESHAFT WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE DRIVELINE VIBRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17212000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,705.

NHTSA complaint 11103422. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

towed · 123,483 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the engine seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that occasionally, when the vehicle was started, the vehicle would idle roughly. The contact used a diagnostic machine and retrieved a fault code related to the fuel pump module. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with fuel pump module failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not

NHTSA complaint 11676148, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The CP4 pump in my truck exploded sending metal fragments through the fuel system. I was going 55 mph, it went into low engine power mode and then turned off leaving me stranded on the side on an interstate. This is a known issue with this model. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to this happening. The fuel pump failure is catastrophic.

NHTSA complaint 11722551. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

59,384 miles

The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2017 Ford F550. The contact stated that while one of the employees was driving at highway speeds, a diesel fuel-burning odor was coming from the engine and entering the cabin of the vehicle through the A/C vents. No warning lights were illuminated. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and noticed oil dripping from underneath the vehicle. The driver opened the hood and noticed diesel fuel all over the engine compartment. Upon further investigation, the driver noticed that the plastic drain valve on the bottom of the water separator had cracked, and oil was spewing upwards. The

NHTSA complaint 11717381, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
The front cab over is getting loose and separating worried it will fall off, have huge water leak coming into the cab from the top through auxiliary buttons and driver side. Have been reading forums and lots of people have the same issues this is very concerning that it's not being taken seriously.

NHTSA complaint 11715341. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Ford Motor Company has had a known issue with the truck frames cracking on the F-550 chassis. They acknowledged it by doing a recall, which either replaced or repaired the chassis frame or installed reinforcement braces if no cracks were visible. The recall expired in September of 2023. In October 2023 we noticed a crack on the frame just outside the recall reinforcement brace that Ford-certified technicians installed. We found another in November (reinforcement brace installed) and another in January (with Ford's new and improved frame produced due to a recall issue). Ford has denied making the repairs since the original warranty expired, even though this was the same related issue. We

NHTSA complaint 11587797, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-550

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2020 17 2
2019 13 4
2018 8 10
2012 13 5
2011 12 5

Other 2017 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.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst