RoadVitals

2019 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.
13
Latest Aug 12, 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.
4
Latest Aug 28, 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.
4

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Ford F-550, most frequently naming the engine, body & structure and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 15 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

  • Engine633.3%
  • Body & structure422.2%
  • Electrical316.7%
  • Fuel system211.1%
  • Other / unspecified15.6%
  • Powertrain (other)15.6%
  • Steering15.6%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
19V633000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER; SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Aug 28, 2019
639,137 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 19C07View 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
19V226000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Mar 22, 2019
8 units potentially affected
The defect: Watts Manufacturing, LLC (Watts Manufacturing) is recalling certain 2019 First responder vehicles built on Ford F-550 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Watts Manufacturing will notify owners and Whelen dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Watts Manufacturing customer service at 1-785-404-6003.
Watts Manufacturing, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 13
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated that upon noticing an abnormal burning odor, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the wiring underneath the driver's side of the dashboard was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The mechanic replaced the wiring a second time; however, the failure persisted. The power train and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V894000 (Engine). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11680198
Incident
Feb 12, 2025
Mileage
100,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2025
Fire reported

While driving down the road a passerby got our drivers attention to tell them the truck was on fire. When he pulled over and got out the truck went up in flames fast from under the hood. Due to the heavy damage we are unsure where the fire started. It has not been inspected by anyone yet. It was towed to our shop. The driver reported there was an odd smell but that was it.

NHTSA ID
11672519
Incident
Jun 19, 2025
Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2025
Fire reported

The contact owned a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, turned on, and unoccupied, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front of the engine compartment had caught fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed however, the cause for the failure was not yet determined. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed and towed back to the contact's work location. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

NHTSA ID
11635660
Incident
Jan 13, 2025
Mileage
53,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 14, 2024
Fire reported

A clogged fuel filter caused an engine fire. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. The fuel filter has been known to be problematic for these trucks, in yet there has been no recall. A simple google search shows these fires are common. The vehicle has been in for service at the dealership many times but no one checked on the faulty fuel filter positioned above the hot engine components.

NHTSA ID
11625217
Incident
Nov 1, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Oct 17, 2024

Purchased truck used and discovered frame was cracked shortly after I had taken it in to Ford several times because alignment wouldn’t keep vehicle from feeling bouncy (hopping) going down the road. At no point did anyone tell me of a customer satisfaction program that was in place for my vehicle for a frame repair/replacement. Instead they strung me along telling me to take it to a frame shop. 2 days after the program expired I was told that there was a program for the issues which I no longer qualified for. Then they told me to reach out to corporate who said there was nothing they could do.

NHTSA ID
11620282
Incident
Oct 3, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Jul 31, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the subframe. The contact stated that the failure recurred increasingly while driving on a bumpy road surface. The contact stated that while inspecting the frame, he noticed that the frame rail behind the cab was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the frame needed to be reinforced or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the dealer to be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: GB2021003; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not experiencing the failure at the time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11605627
Incident
Mar 10, 2024
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2024

Our company has been proactively replacing some of the older fuel filters in our fleet as part of a safety campaign. A fuel filter on VIN [XXX] was replaced yesterday (XXX) with a Ford Motocraft filter. Today (XXX), the operator was driving the unit when they started to smell smoke in the cab. By the time they pulled over, the cab had smoke inside and the operator had to get out. The operator opened the hood to let it vent and called the garage to have the unit towed. After inspection by the garage, they found that the secondary fuel filter was leaking extensively from the seam. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11592496
Incident
Jun 4, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Jun 14, 2023

The contact's company owns a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected by a mechanic, and the contact was informed that the frame rail was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11526935
Incident
Mar 1, 2023

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
2019Viewing134056.9
20188100—
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.