VehicleVerdict

2017 Ford F-550 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2017 Ford F-550 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

19

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other F-550 years?

F-550 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted23 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 20 complaints2013: 6 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 14 complaints2017: 19 complaints2018: 9 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 23 complaints
F-550 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-550 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Ford F-550 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other316%
Engine316%
Body & Structure316%
Tires & Wheels211%
Suspension211%
Brakes211%
Fuel System211%
Transmission15%
Steering15%

Does the 2017 Ford F-550 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V463000LightingJune 18, 2019 · 1 units

Defect

Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling certain 2017 Ford F-550 vehicles 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.

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Farber will notify owners, and Whelen will remedy the lights, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Whelen customer service at 1-860-718-2331 or Farber at 1-800-331-3188.

19V401000OtherMay 29, 2019 · 22 units

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.

Consequence

The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

19V358000LightingMay 13, 2019 · 4 units

Defect

Unruh Fire, Inc. (Unruh Fire) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550-based fire trucks 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.

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Unruh Fire has notified owners and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began in May 20, 2019. Owners may contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080.

19V342000LightingMay 3, 2019 · 17 units

Defect

Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances 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.

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Taylor Made will notify owners and Whelen will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2019. Owners may contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310.

18V894000EngineDecember 18, 2018 · 410,289 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.

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.

17V331000Latches & LocksMay 22, 2017 · 14,410 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer. These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Consequence

If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-550. The contact stated that after two to three minutes after the engine was idled, a ticking noise was heard in the engine. The noise would dissipate however, a rattling noise was heard next. The contact stated works as an independent mechanic and diagnosed the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2022

“The front cab over is getting loose and separating worried it will fall off, have huge water leak coming into the cab from the top through auxiliary buttons and driver side. Have been reading forums and lots of people have the same issues this is very concerning that it's not being taken seriously. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 11, 2022

“THE FRAME CRACKED, BECAUSE OF "CUSTOMER SATIISFACTION PROGRAM" 21B04 WE INSPECTED OUR FRAME ON A REGULAR BASIS. WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. WE SENT PICTURES TO FORD AND THEY SAID WRONG TYPE OF CHASSIS TO BE COVERED. IF YOU LOOK BACK AT a "TEREX" SAFETY NOTICE "SN-610-14" FORD HAS HAD THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 10, 2022

“The CP4 pump in my truck exploded sending metal fragments through the fuel system. I was going 55 mph, it went into low engine power mode and then turned off leaving me stranded on the side on an interstate. This is a known issue with this model. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 4, 2026

“FORD PUT A 2 RUBBER BRAKE HOSES WITH OUTER BRAIDED STEEL OUTER CASING ON THE BUILD AROUND THE A.B.S. UNIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ONE OF THESE HOSES FAILED INSTANTLY RESULTING IN A LOW SPEED COLLISION WITH NO BRAKES.WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING OF ANY KIND IE SOFT PEDAL ETC. NO KIND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 28, 2019 · crash

2017 Ford F-550 — common questions

Is the 2017 Ford F-550 reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2017 F-550 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (3 complaints), body & structure (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 2017 Ford F-550 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Ford F-550. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford F-550 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-550 years to avoid are 2020. The cleanest record among F-550 years belongs to 2015.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.