2017 Ford F-550 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Ford F-550 has 15 complaints, 13 recalls, and a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th of 21 model years. It's rated Caution, with Suspension, Wheels & Tires as the top problem area at 33% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 F-550 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2017 Ford F-550 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (33%)
- Brakes3 (20%)
- Engine3 (20%)
- Structure & Body3 (20%)
- Fuel System2 (13%)
- Other2 (13%)
- Steering2 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake hoses on the ABS unit reportedly failed suddenly, cutting braking ability without warning lights or a soft pedal.
- Owners describe the truck pulling left and right with squeaking, vibrating brakes starting around 55 mph.
- Some reported the rear end shaking or fishtailing at highway speed with an echoing noise traced to driveline vibration damaging driveshaft-connected components.
- Reduced engine power warnings appeared at highway speed with a loss of speed and stalling, which dealers linked to water contamination in the fuel.
- Owners reported truck frames cracking on the F-550 chassis, sometimes reappearing after recall repairs or reinforcement braces.
- Some described the front cab-over separating and loosening, along with water leaking into the cab through auxiliary buttons and the driver side.
2017 Ford F-550 recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V572000Sep 3, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,456,417 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
- NHTSA 19V880000Dec 11, 2019Seat Belts490,574 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCrew Cab vehicles with carpet flooring. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply heat resistant tape to the carpet and its insulation, and modify the B-Pillar insulation as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S52.
- NHTSA 19V401000May 29, 2019Other22 vehicles
Equipment
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.
Risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2017 compared with other F-550 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ford F-550 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 15 complaints and 13 recalls for the 2017 F-550, giving it a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th out of 21 model years.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2017 Ford F-550?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads with 5 complaints, making up 33% of all reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 40,200 miles.
- Does the 2017 Ford F-550 have a brake recall?
- NHTSA does not list a brake-specific recall for 2017, but Brakes account for 3 complaints (20% share) with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles, including one crash.
- How many recalls does the 2017 Ford F-550 have?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2017 F-550, covering areas like Structure & Body, Engine, Electrical System, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras.
- How does the 2017 F-550 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 50, the 2017 F-550 sits in the middle of the pack; years like 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 rank worse with Avoid verdicts, while 2005, 2007, 2014, and 2016 rate Good.