Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 22% | 20,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 17% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 50% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 67% | — |
| 2015 | 4 | 36% | 25,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 22% | 36,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 50% | 65,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 50% | 45,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2008 | 14 | 54% | 32,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 30% | 75,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 18% | 101,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 22% | 51,000 miles |
| 2004 | 17 | 35% | 35,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 24% | 81,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 23% | 59,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2000 | 7 | 10% | 110,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 16% | 26,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ford f-550 SD. While driving approximately 30 MPH in reverse, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle had to be pushed into the contact's driveway. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times, but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure also occurred while in drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford f-550 SD. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, a loud banging sounded was heard inside the cabin and the engine power reduced substantially. The engine was turned off and restarted, but the failure persisted. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and detected that the turbo became stuck and the turbo hose disconnected. The hose was reconnected; however, the failure continued. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was unavailable. Ma 10/6
The turbo bearing failed in the truck at 21,101 miles. The dealership replaced it, but since then I have spent way too much time at the dealership for problems with this truck that I should not be having. There is also a typewriter ticking noise coming from the engine after oil changes, Ford is aware of it, but says it is not a problem. They state that some motors do it, and some don't. Again this sounds like a serious quality control problem. I noticed the A/C was not working in April of this year, the first time it was warm enough to use it. It just blew hot air and the truck had about 50,000 miles on it. Ford serviced the A/C at 55,019 miles on 22 April 14. The A/C worked for a day and then stopped working again. Took it back to Ford at the next service and they spent several hours working on the truck and think they have it solved. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-550 SD. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and a "stop safety now" message displayed. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the exhaust fuel temperature sensor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer issued a recall for the 2011-2012 model year vehicles associated with NHTSA campaign number: 13V535000 (engine). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-550 SD. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The check engine and engine overheating indicators illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was towed to chapman Ford of horsham (1100 easton rd, horsham, pa 19044) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 33,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Ford f-550. The contact stated that while the transmission was in the park position and with the engine idling suddenly flames were present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident the vehicle was destroyed. A report was taken by the sheriff's deputy. The owner, a fire department director, determined that the fire was caused by a faulty engine turbo charger. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 6,000. The consumer stated 2007 brush truck is going back to weis fire saftey in kansas for a rebuild. The consumer stated the insurance company deemed the turbo charger as the cause of the fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford f-550 SD. The contact stated the vehicle was leaking compression from the cylinders into the coolant system. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a malfunctioned head gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,000.
While driving the vehicle on the expressway in michigan, it suddenly began losing power. After frequently stopping and restarting the engine, the truck stopped completely. When the dealership investigated the cause, they found specks of paint in the diesel fuel. When the factory installed gas tank was dropped, it was discovered that the coating inside the fuel tank was flaking off and had plugged the fuel filters, contaminated the fuel as well as damaging 3 inverters.. When investigating if others have same complaint, we found many others have had the same problem. Luckily we were not pulling our rv.
Related recalls (2)
Engine
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 and previously remedied under recall 18V894.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord,…
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle May function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on December 29, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA investigations
Engine stalling
In a December 3, 2007 letter, Ford advised NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall to replace the cam position sensor (cps) in approximately 1.2 million subject vehicles to address reports of engine stalling.a new design cps with improved performance and durability will be installed as a remedy.owner notifications will begin in December 2007.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-550 SD years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (17), 2008 (14), 1999 (10), 2003 (8) and 2006 (8) model years. Engine complaints make up 35% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Ford F-550 SD engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 19V-278 (engine, Apr 8, 2019); 07V-553 (diesel, Dec 5, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-550 SD engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 60% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › diesel (20 mentions), followed by the engine (12).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.