Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 8% | 101,000 miles |
| 2020 | 2 | 50% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 50% | 0 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 9% | 28,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 11% | 88,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 50% | 65,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 33% | 1,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2008 | 5 | 19% | 36,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 4% | 140,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 6% | 15,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 12% | 1,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 6% | 46,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 5% | 58,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 14% | 110,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 7% | — |
| 1999 | 23 | 38% | 9,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The truck has not run properly since it was purchased, and the motor was replaced back in 2013 with mileage of 31,00 due to oil being splattered all over and no power. We had spend over 10,000.00 to fix the defective issues. Now almost 2 years to the day the engine has again failed. Ford offers no help or explanations as to why this continues to happen..
Ford 6.4l diesel engines (2008-2010) in f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks contain radiators that were improperly constructed and unable to withstand engine pressures and leak coolant, and can cause catastrophic engine failures due to overheating. Ford replaced countless radiators in its 6.4l vehicles under warranty and issued a number of service bulletins related to its 6.4l radiator failures. However, even its redesigned radiators continue to fail. In our very low mileage f550 diesel, the radiator failed at 23000 miles even after being inspected by Ford and "approved" as adequate. Ford refuses to provide a fix. The Ford dealership tells us that some customers have replaced radiators as many as 10 times, or more. An internet search (e.g., google) for "Ford 6.4l radiator" shows countless others have experienced multiple radiator failures. …
Dt: the vehicle surged and accelerated on its own. This happened this has happened a t least 50 times or more. While driving 43 MPH vehicle shut down. Had to slam on the emergency brake and pull it to the curb. Also, while driving at 38 MPH or 1100 rpms there was vibration coming from the engine. It felt like it was coming right from consumer's feet. It felt like transmission disengaged. Then, after 10-15 seconds it felt like it kicked back in. There was a loud pop when this happened. The vehicle was burning more fuel than it did when first purchased it. Sometimes the water and fuel lights came on. The dealer told him that when this happened he should pull over. But when he does there is no water in the fuel. The fuel gauge will completely go to low then come back up after about 10-15 miles. Also, the air bag light will come on. …
Tl* - the contact owns a 2004 Ford f550. The contact stated that approximately 1 year the vehicle had an electrical short., took the vehicle to be repaired and that very same day had problems with the transmission slipping. The contact stated that approximately one year later in January 2007 the transmission would not engage, and one could drive down the road and the transmission would just stop working. The truck was currently in the repair shop, and it has taken Ford over a week to diagnose the problem. The current diagnosis showed that all 4 solenoids in the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission needs to be totally replaced. The contact stated that neither speed nor the weather were factors. The dealer stated performed the recall pertaining to fuel injector control module wiring and charged air cooler duct.
I have been experiencing power failure, fuel starvation on my 2001 f550 diesel truck. I replaced the filters today at the onset of the incident, but just replaced them about a month ago with my mechanic. It runs fine on level ground, but at an incline it loses power and barely makes it up a hill. I removed the tank pump from the top of the tank and looked in to it with a flashlight. The lining of my tank is peeling off. After investigating online, I find this is a serious issue with Ford. I cannot afford to repair this vehicle again. I run a small business, and rely on this only truck to support my family of 7 kids, wife and mother. I have put 3 transmissions in this vehicle in its 110,000 mile lifetime, and now this.
This being 2nd diesel Ford truck that has had same issue....losing power , blowing smoke. On this 2001 , I have replaced numerous filters, drained tank to clean ,wire harnesses,fuel injectors only to replace motor within a month or so due to contamination to system also transmission was replaced before new motor which I feel could of been due to strain on vehicle....needless to say the truck has started the same problem again.I have sank so much into it I'd never get my money out of it if sold.I feel that Ford should be held responsible for this issue and all the money people have put out to correct the issues occurring, with hundreds of others. This issue is very dangerous when your trying to get home and it stalls out when driving due to loss of power.
While driving in reverse to dump a load of material a fire erupted in engine compartment. Dealership is in possession of truck ,and has not released it to the owner. Cause of the fire was transmission vent hose being pinched, which caused an increase in pressure behind the dip-stick. Dip-stick was forced out of place due to pressure.this allowed transmission fluid to be sprayed into hot engine compartment. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
The Ford f-550 with the 7.3l powerstroke engine and automatic transmission has a flaw in its design. The flexplate (flywheel) on ours cracked all the way around the bolts holes in August of 2009. The exact same thing happened in September of this year (2010). We could figure out what it was at first. It simply got louder and louder. Had we gone much longer without figuring it out, the vehicle could have lost the ability to propel itself while driving down the road. The flywheel has to be replaced, which costs $599.00 with parts and labor.
Related recalls (7)
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism.
Remedy: Dealers will replace a gearset within the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 19, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Axle hubs
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels and front wheel hub extenders. The front wheel hub extenders may be improperly attached to the front rotor hub assemblies, which could result in separation of the wheels and wheel extenders from the vehicle.
Remedy: Owners are instructed not to drive their vehicles until the torque of the wheel extender nuts can be verified. Dealers will inspect and tighten the front wheel hub extender nuts, free of charge.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super-Duty F-250, F-350, and F-550 diesel pickups. The transmission torque converter damper plate was not tempered, resulting in a brittle damper plate that may fracture and cause the engine to stall or require increased brake pedal effort in order to stop the vehicle.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly, free of charge. This recall began July 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Driveline
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford F-450 and F-550 Superduty vehicles. Operating the vehicle at highway speeds may cause the driveline to vibrate and fracture the driveline components or the transmission.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft and two center bearing brackets, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Show 2 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks manufactured September 13, 2013, through March 28, 2014, and equipped with 6.2L gasoline or 6.7L diesel engines and 6R140 transmissions.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission software, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2014. Owners may contact Fords customer service at 1-800-392-3673.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
On certain trucks equipped with a 6.4l diesel engine, excessive temperatures in the diesel particulate filter in the exhaust system May result from excess hydrocarbons in the exhaust.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the power train control module. The recall began on April 3, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-550 SD years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (23), 2004 (6), 2000 (5) and 2008 (5) model years. Transmission complaints make up 38% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford F-550 SD transmission problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 22V-256 (automatic transmission, Apr 14, 2022); 21V-390 (axle hubs, May 25, 2021); 20V-365 (torque converter, Jun 23, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-550 SD transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles; 65% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the clutch assembly (14 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission (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.