Ford F-550 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2019, 2021, and 2022 Ford F-550 model years, which carry the highest Complaint Indexes (80, 87, and 93) among years with data. The 2013 and 2018 model years score best (Complaint Index 20 and 13). NHTSA lists 164 total complaints and 72 recall campaigns across 2010-2025.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 164
- Recall campaigns
- 72
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 19
- Top problem area
- Engine
F-550 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford F-550 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Engine | — | — |
| 2011 | Good | 27 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 17 | Engine | — | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 60 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 15 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 | Best | 20 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 10 | Engine | — | — |
| 2014 | Good | 33 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 7 | Engine | — | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 67 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 4 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 | Good | 40 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Engine | — | — |
| 2017 | Good | 47 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 13 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2018 | Best | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 13 | Steering | — | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 80 | 18 | 1 | 5 | 9 | Engine | — | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 73 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 10 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 87 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 9 ! | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 93 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 12 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 53 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 100 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 ! | Brakes | — | — |
F-550 years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Ford F-550 Index 93 · 9 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2022 F-550 has a Complaint Index of 93, ranking 2nd worst, and includes one do-not-drive recall. Electrical System and Suspension, Wheels & Tires each account for 33% of complaints. Owners describe an engine fire with smoke and flames at 20,000 miles, wiper arm breakage covered by recall, and violent front-end shaking at highway speeds over bridge sections or rough pavement. A trailer-connection recall reprogramming issue was also reported.
2021 Ford F-550 Index 87 · 12 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2021 F-550 carries a Complaint Index of 87, the 3rd worst year, and includes one do-not-drive recall. Fuel System complaints dominate, making up 83% of reports with a median failure mileage of 195,000; owners describe low fuel pressure warnings followed by loss of power and smoke or flames from under the hood. Recalls cover fuel pump replacement and PCM software updates for biodiesel deposit issues. A rear axle shaft fracture was also reported at 101,000 miles.
2019 Ford F-550 Index 80 · 18 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2019 F-550 has a Complaint Index of 80 and ranks 4th worst of 16 model years. Engine problems make up 44% of its complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 100,000; owners describe engine compartment fires, including cases where smoke or flames appeared while the truck was parked or driving at low speed. Structure & Body issues account for 28% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 130,000. NHTSA also lists rearview camera recalls tied to this year, along with fuel system and electrical complaints reported near 50,600 miles.
Most common Ford F-550 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine56 (34%)
- Fuel System45 (27%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (13%)
- Structure & Body19 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (10%)
- Electrical System16 (10%)
- Other15 (9%)
- Steering14 (9%)
- Brakes11 (7%)
- Airbags5 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Ford F-550 model years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2019, 2021, and 2022 as the years to avoid, with Complaint Indexes of 80, 87, and 93, the three highest among all F-550 model years.
- What are the best Ford F-550 model years?
- The 2013 and 2018 model years score best based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, with Complaint Indexes of 20 and 13, the lowest in the lineup.
- What is the most common problem area for the Ford F-550?
- Across all model years, Engine complaints make up 34% of total complaints (56 of 164), followed by Fuel System issues at 27%.
- Does the Ford F-550 have fuel system recalls?
- Yes. The 2021 and 2022 model years are tied to fuel system recalls involving low-pressure fuel pump replacement and PCM software updates for biodiesel deposit issues, and 2021 also carries a do-not-drive recall.
- How many complaints and recalls does the Ford F-550 have overall?
- NHTSA lists 164 total complaints and 72 recall campaigns across 16 model years from 2010 to 2025.