2019 Ford F-550: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure; the 2018 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2025
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 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)”Owner report · Engine · Jun 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.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 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.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2023
“The contact's company owns a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, an employee noticed that the cab and chassis was in a V-shape. The contact stated that a mechanic arrived at the location; upon inspection, the mechanic stated that the frame rail was fractured. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact spoke to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2023
“Trailer hitch is forming cracks around hitch receiver, Backing plate that the hitch is welded to is separating from the body of the utility box. this truck tows a trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds.”Owner report · Trailer Hitches · Feb 2023
“Vehicle was being driven at 50MPH when truck encountered pothole in road. Steering wheel began to shake back and forth violently and vehicle was uncontrollable. Truck veered to left and crashed into guardrail while being slowed to a stop.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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."
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
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."
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-550 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2019 Ford F-550 reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2019 Ford F-550. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 2019 Ford F-550 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.