RoadVitals

2018 Ford F-550

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Feb 11, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
10
Latest Jun 5, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Ford F-550, most frequently naming the body & structure, steering and suspension categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 11 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure222.2%
  • Steering222.2%
  • Suspension222.2%
  • Airbags111.1%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

10 campaigns cover this model year

View all 10

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V414000

EQUIPMENT

Jun 5, 2019
4 units potentially affected
The defect: Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling certain 2018 Ford F-550 vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the factory default settings which can cause the camera image to be reversed.
The risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Farber will notify owners, and dealers will add a harness relay capacitor module, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188 or ASA customer service at 1-800-384-4400.
Farber Specialty VehiclesManufacturer number 19E-009View on NHTSA.gov
19V398000

EQUIPMENT

May 29, 2019
13 units potentially affected
The defect: LGE Coachworks, Inc. (LGE Coachworks) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ford E-450, F-550, and Freightliner M2-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager back-up camera displays. The displays may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
The risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: ASA will notify LGE Coachworks owners, and dealers will replace the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA customer service at 1-800-384-4400 or LGE Coachworks at 1-800-209-3985.
LGE Coachworks Inc.Manufacturer number 19-E-099 Part 573View on NHTSA.gov
19V401000

EQUIPMENT

May 29, 2019
22 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
VCI Emergency Vehicle SpecialistsView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Feb 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-550. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the frame was cracked between the bed and the cab. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the vehicle was previously repaired under a related unknown recall and declined to perform the recall repair on a second occasion. The dealer determined that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA ID
11642046
Incident
Jun 29, 2024
Mileage
73,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the subframe suddenly fractured in half. The contact stated that the fracture occurred near the rear cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed from the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 268,967.

NHTSA ID
11604457
Incident
Jul 24, 2024
Mileage
268,967 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact observed a humming sound coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ring and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ring and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

NHTSA ID
11555618
Incident
Nov 17, 2023
Mileage
26,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2023

The contact's company owns a 2018 Ford F-550. The contact stated while an employee was driving at 55 MPH, the service vehicle soon warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the turbocharger to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced failure a second time on July 28, 2023. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the turbocharger to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,265.

NHTSA ID
11535467
Incident
Aug 1, 2020
Mileage
66,265 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 17, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHCILE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEARTLAND FORD (5979 WEST, US HWY 136, COVINGTON, IN 47932, (765)793-2233) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE STEERING DAMPER, 3 BALL JOINTS, AND TRACK BAR TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO LAFAYETTE FORD (2051 SAGAMORE PKWY S, LAFAYETTE, IN 47905, (765) 447-9444) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000. ## VIN PASSED ## FORD F550 2018 ##

NHTSA ID
11403467
Incident
Sep 15, 2020
Mileage
17,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 20, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING THEIR VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER LEFT OR RIGHT ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STRAIGHTEN ITSELF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (DORSCH FORD LINCOLN KIA 2641 EATON RD, GREEN BAY, WI 54311; (920) 469-3000) WHO REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, A FEW TIE RODS, AND A FEW WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. THE FAILURE STILL PERSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. ## VIN PASSED ## 2018 FORD F550 ##

NHTSA ID
11388990
Incident
Sep 11, 2018
Mileage
14,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 6, 2020

FRONT END VIOLENTLY SHAKES ON VEHICLE ABOVE 45MPH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. BEEN TO DEALER 2X FOR ISSUE WITH NO RESOLVE

NHTSA ID
11362983
Incident
Jul 16, 2020
Mileage
38,550 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 5, 2019

THE AIR BAG COVERING HAS FAILED ALONG THE SEAMS.*DT*JB *DT *TR

NHTSA ID
11241724
Incident
Jul 2, 2019
Mileage
25,754 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

25N10S1

STRUCTURE:BODY

Certain 2017-2025 F-450 – F-600 Chassis Cab Upfitted with an Aerial Bucket Frame Rail Crack

SSM 52787

Some 2017-2020 F-150 and 2017-2019 F-Super Duty vehicles may not successfully complete the Transmission Characterization/Solenoid IDN procedure using the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) scan tool. This may be due to the IDS not being at the latest software level

SAN-Vol1 I1

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and other service information.

20N04 S2

EQUIPMENT; POWER TRAIN

Certain 2017-2019 MY F250/F350 and all F450/550 vehicles Steering Linage Damper replacement. Reason for this supplement: Updated program terms, includes new mobile service repair assessment and updated owner letters with revised program terms.

21B04 S4

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Certain 2017 through 2020 Model Year F550 Equipped with Payload Plus Upgrade Package Frame Rail Crack Program Terms: Program will be extended for an additional year; Urgency/Expiration Date: Program will be extended for an additional year Owner Refunds: Refunds have been extended to December 31, 2022, for owner paid repairs completed prior to owner notification date

TSB 21-2367

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Some 2018-2019 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2459, P245A and/or P259F stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the PCM software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford F-550 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020172159.0
2019134056.9
2018Viewing8100—
2017156063.1
2016900—
2015010—
2014210—
2013611—
2012135260.1
2011125255.0
2010010—
2009010—
2008010—
2007010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.