Most common 2020 Ford F-550 problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-550 complaints by model year
Best F-550 years: 2013, 2016. Years to avoid: 2020, 2019, 2017. Compare all years →
2020 Ford F-550 recalls (2)
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-550 and 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and driveshaft separation.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it, or replace the rear axle as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2020.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2020 Ford F-550:
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire.
What 2020 Ford F-550 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The contact stated that while driving on a main road at 35 MPH a message displayed on the instrument panel which stated "reduced engine power" the contact proceeded to enter into a parking lot where the vehicle was parked, and left idle for a few minutes before attempting to restart, however the engine would start back up again. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle emitted a strong odor of fuel into the cabin. The contact stated that other drivers were pointing at the underside of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and observed fuel leaking from a filter, the underside of the hood and engine compartment on the driver's side were covered in fuel. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called a dealer and was advised to change the filter. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a failure a second time and had the vehicle towed to the same dealer. The dealer diagnosed that there was rust in the fuel filter which had contaminated the fuel injection system. The vehicle had not been repaired. …
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the transmission started slipping. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the planetary ring gear needed to be replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V256000 (Power Train). The VIN was included in the recall. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer who informed the contact that they could not accommodate the vehicle for the recall repair due to the size of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Northside Ford Truck Sales, Inc. (6221 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR 97218) who informed the contact that the vehicle would be repaired at his own expense. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle unintentionally rolled away while the transmission was in park(P). No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while driving uphill. The vehicle also jerked violently while downshifting from third to second gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V256000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Suspension
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Georgetown constructed on a 2020 Ford F53 chassis. The contact stated that the weight of the motorhome was falsely advertised and that the motorhome was over the weight limit for the chassis it was built. The contact stated that the motorhome OCCC (Occupant Carrying Capacity Certificate) advertised for the motorhome was 19,208; however, the contact weighed the motorhome with the motorhome completely empty and the certified weight was 21,080. The contact stated that while driving the motorhome, an abnormal clanking and popping noise was coming from the vehicle while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle would push its way through corners and turns due to the weight of the motorhome. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that they were unable to perform the needed repair. …
Ford Motor Company has had a known issue with the truck frames cracking on the F-550 chassis. They acknowledged it by doing a recall, which either replaced or repaired the chassis frame or installed reinforcement braces if no cracks were visible. The recall expired in September of 2023. In October 2023 we noticed a crack on the frame just outside the recall reinforcement brace that Ford-certified technicians installed. We found another in November (reinforcement brace installed) and another in January (with Ford's new and improved frame produced due to a recall issue). Ford has denied making the repairs since the original warranty expired, even though this was the same related issue. We have been dealing with Ford Motor Company since October in hopes of resolving the issue but they continue to give us any resolution. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Ford F-550 a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 F-550 rates use caution: 2.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-550 at the same age. It is one of the F-550 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Ford F-550?
The fuel & propulsion system — 8 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (3) and suspension (3).
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford F-550 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2020 Ford F-550, the most recent from February 21, 2020 (differential unit). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-550?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2019 and 2017. See the full Ford F-550 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford F-550 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 56% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.