2020 Ford F-550 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 F-550 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Ford F-550 has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 21 complaints, 10 recalls, 1 crash, and 1 fire, with Fuel System issues making up 52% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 21
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2020 Ford F-550 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System11 (52%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (24%)
- Engine3 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (14%)
- Other2 (10%)
- Structure & Body2 (10%)
- Brakes1 (5%)
- Electrical System1 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners report strong fuel odor entering the cabin along with warnings like "Fuel Pressure Low," in one case with roughly 40 gallons of diesel leaking out.
- One owner described the engine losing power, stalling, and then catching fire under the hood while driving home from service.
- Some owners report transmission slipping at 45 mph with the check engine light on, later diagnosed as a failed planetary ring gear.
- Others describe the transmission jerking violently when downshifting from third to second gear, and one vehicle rolled away after being placed in park.
- An owner reported a frame crack behind the cab and pointed to an expired Ford safety program (21B04) covering the same issue.
- One owner noted a stability control warning light activating during highway driving at 60 mph.
2020 Ford F-550 recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V158000Mar 17, 2026Fuel System9,839 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, 2021-2022 F600, and 2022 F750 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V957. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
Risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S17. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 18, 2026.
- NHTSA 24V957000Dec 20, 2024Fuel System295,449 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, F600, and 2021-2022 F-650, F750 vehicles. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
Risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S78.
- NHTSA 23V420000Jun 9, 2023Other691,133 vehicles
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.
2020 compared with other F-550 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford F-550 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 F-550 a Complaint Index of 73, ranking it 5th worst among 16 model years covered, with a Caution verdict relative to other F-550 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Ford F-550?
- Fuel System complaints dominate, accounting for 52% of all complaints (11 of 21), including fuel odor in the cabin, fuel leaks, and one fire. The median mileage at failure for these fuel system complaints is 38,239 miles.
- Does the 2020 Ford F-550 have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 24V957000 for biodiesel deposits forming on fuel pump components, and a related follow-up recall 26V158000 for vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under that same issue.
- How many recalls does the 2020 Ford F-550 have?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2020 F-550, covering fuel system, transmission, windshield wiper arms, windshield bonding, rearview camera, and other components.
- How does the 2020 F-550 compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than years like 2018 (13, Best) and 2013 (20, Best), but better than 2021 (87), 2022 (93), and 2025 (100), which carry Avoid verdicts.