2020 Ford F-550 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Ford F-550 ranks 4th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict. Fuel System problems dominate at 52% of complaints, backed by 10 recall campaigns, including two separate diesel fuel-system recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 F-550 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 21
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Fuel System
Top 2020 Ford F-550 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Fuel leaks from the filter or underside of the vehicle sometimes fill the cabin with a strong fuel odor while driving.
- One truck lost power, stalled, and caught fire under the hood shortly after a service visit, resulting in a total loss.
- A low fuel pressure warning appeared alongside a large fuel leak of roughly 40 gallons in one case.
- Transmission slipping and check-engine warnings occurred while driving, with one owner told the planetary ring gear needed replacement.
- The vehicle jerked while downshifting and rolled away unintentionally after being placed in park.
- A frame crack behind the cab was reported, with the owner noting Ford's related safety program had expired without a recall being issued.
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 shows the 2020 F-550 has a complaint index of 85 and ranks 4th worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other F-550 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Ford F-550?
- Fuel System issues make up 52% of complaints, with 11 reports including leaks, low fuel pressure warnings, and one fire, at a median mileage of 38,239.
- Does the 2020 Ford F-550 have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two separate fuel system recalls (24V957000 and 26V158000) tied to biodiesel deposits affecting the pump drivetrain, plus 8 other recall campaigns for a total of 10.
- How does the 2020 F-550 compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 85 is higher than most other F-550 years shown, though 2019 (90), 2021 (95), and 2022 (100) score worse and are also rated Avoid.