2013 Ford F-550

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equipped with four (4) EGT sensors to monitor engine operating conditions. An EGT sensor fault may produce false exhaust over-temperature signals. If these signals are produced, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) implements a Failure Management Effects Mode (FMEM) and the driver receives a Stop Safely Now (SSN) system warning on the instrument cluster message center. The FMEM triggers a 70% reduction in available engine power over a period of no more than 45 seconds, during which it may not be possible to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed. The PCM then commands the engine to shut down when vehicle speed reaches approximately 1 mph. There is no immediate restart capability. Depending on the PCM software calibration, ignition key position and ambient temperature conditions, the engine may not restart until the end of a 10-60 minute cool down period.Ford and its component supplier(s) made numerous changes to the PCM software calibration and the design, material and manufacture of the EGT sensors over the period of subject vehicle production. This continuous product improvement affected vehicle performance regarding the alleged defect. Ford acknowledges the defect condition in the subject vehicles but argues that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is limited to Ambulance Package and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles where commanded shutdown could impact emergency response and patient care. Ford also argues that the defect trend is in decline. Ford also initiated a new safety recall (15V-175) to address the 13V-535 remedy concerns in the Ambulance Package vehicles and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles. The 15V-175 remedy reprograms the PCM with a new software calibration that stops a single EGT sensor fault to cause the vehicle to enter the FMEM shutdown mode.Ford also initiated an EPA emissions recall (14E03) for all subject vehicles that reprograms the PCM with the software calibration employed in safety recall 15V-175. Finally, Ford initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program (15M01) providing extended warranty coverage of 8 years or 80,000 miles for the the EGT sensors on certain MY2011-2012 subject vehicles.Due to the EPA emissions recall, that had a 66.6% completion rate in Ford's December 2015 progress report to the EPA, the defect trend is in decline. ODI is not aware of any crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect.ODI believes the alleged defect poses a safety risk but notes that the EPA emissions recall is addressing the safety problem.Compelling issuance of a duplicate recall would not represent a wise use of agency resources.Accordingly, this Recall Query is closed.This action is not a finding that no defect exists and NHTSA will take further action if such action is warranted.

At 05:58 this morning the garage received a phone call from Roadside assistance regarding a vehicle fire on the unit. Spoke with the operator to verify his safety and inquire as to what happened. He stated he was driving down highway 99 at approx.70mph when he heard a loud pop, reduce engine power light came on, low fuel pressure light came on, smelled diesel, then unit caught fire before he could get pulled off.

NHTSA ID

11664574

Incident

Jun 3, 2025

Operator was driving the vehicle when they smelled fuel. Operator immediately pulled over and found fuel leaking from the secondary fuel filter. I also have a video of the leaking filter but can not attach here.

NHTSA ID

11632429

Incident

Dec 20, 2024

Entry/exit steps failed. While exiting the coach, the entry/exit steps collapsed. I almost fell out of the coach while exiting.

NHTSA ID

11527718

Incident

Apr 28, 2023

REPLACE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES?

NHTSA ID

10811926

Incident

Dec 18, 2015

Mileage

33,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F550 WITH RICKSON WHEELS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, PART OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE WELDING OF THE WHEEL WAS IMPROPERLY CONSTRUCTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE WHEELS WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ID

10546306

Incident

Sep 20, 2013

Mileage

8,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD THOR DAYBREAK RV EQUIPPED WITH A 2013 FORD MH STRIPPED CHASSIS (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WANDER OUT OF THE TRAVELED LANE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT DROVE WITH CAUTION AT A LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A LOOSE STEERING SHIFT CLAMP BOLT. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REALIGNED AND THE BOLT WAS TIGHTENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100.

NHTSA ID

10511281

Incident

Apr 25, 2013

Mileage

1,100 mi

Touchscreen navigation system - arabic language - blank screen

Some 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen. This may be the result of the ribbon cables not being fully seated inside the front display interface module (FDIM) or an improper software configuration of the FDIM.

FORD: NO SERVICE ACTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONDITION. PLEASE USE AT YOUR DISCRETION. VARIOUS 2010-2015 VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A TURBULENCE NOISE, SIMILAR TO AN HELICOPTER NOISE, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE REAR DOOR WINDOW(S) OR SUNROOF ARE OPEN. *TA

FORD: SOME MODEL VEHICLES MANUAL FOR POWERTRAIN CONTROL/EMISSION DIAGNOSTIC (PC/ED) HAS BEEN UPDATED REGARDING IMPROVED COOLING FAN CIRCUIT DUE TO A LACK OF AIR CONDITIONING, A MALFUNCTIONING INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND OVERHEATING. *PE

FORD: A POSSIBLE INTERMEDIATE CLUTCH PISTON LIP SEAL IS WORN AND CAN CAUSE AN INTERMEDIATE ROUGH CLUTCH PISTON BORE TO SLIP 1-3 AND/OR NO 2-3 UPSHIFT CONDITION. MODEL 2012-2013 E SERIES, F-450, 550, 53 MOTORHOME, F 59 STRIPPED CHASSIS. *PE

FORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, WITH MYTOUCH, MY EXPERIENCE DISPLAYED TIME JUMPING OR AUDIO POPPING DURING INITIAL IGNITION ON CYCLE, OR SLOW NAVIGATION CALCULATIONS, DUE TO AMOUNT OF DATA, WITHIN SIZE OF CONTACT LIST, CREATING PROCESSING PROBLEM FOR MODULE DURING KEY ON CYCLE. MODELS 2011-2013. NO MODEL LISTED. *PE