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2020 Ford F-550 problems

The most common problem on the 2020 Ford F-550 is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 38,239 miles. It has 1.4 times the complaints of a typical F-550 model year.

Typical year1.4x the typical complaints
Year score
62/100
Owner complaints
17
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
12
Worst area
Fuel system

The worst 2020 Ford F-550 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Fuel system
    8
  • Engine
    3
  • Suspension
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Body
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Fuel system
    8
  • Engine
    3
  • Suspension
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 2

Power train: driveline: differential unitReported February 21, 2020 · 319 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur and increase the risk of injury or crash.
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S09.

Recall number 20V099000 · Recall details

Seats: mid/rear assemblyReported August 28, 2019 · 639,137 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.

Recall number 19V633000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2020 Ford F-550

Defect investigations

Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter LeakOpened May 9, 2024, still open

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. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

PE24014

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Ford F-550 12

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 12 bulletins for the 2020 Ford F-550

What 2020 Ford F-550 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it was discovered that there was metal deposits inside the system causing the fuel pump failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The dealer was contacted but failed to retrieve the correct diagnostic trouble codes related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2026 · Fuel system · CA · fire

I had my truck serviced, engine oil and fuel filters replaced, I picked up truck and while driving home, engine loss of power came on screen, truck then stalled, I observed smoke coming from under the hood, I exited vehicle to try and open hood, but flames were already present, I called 911 fire department came and put fire out. truck is a total loss. Fire Capt observed that fire seem to have started near the fuel filter housing, I was fortunate to escape the cab along with my dog, I have read several reports about filter housing leaking and starting fires, my brother inlaw, actually had the same issue, filter split causing fuel to leak, but fortunately he had just started the truck and was not driving very long before he smelled the fuel and was able to shut down the engine before it got hot and repolace the faulty filter housing.

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 85,172 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the fuel injector became inoperable. The check engine warning light became illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the part to repair the vehicle under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel) was on back order and that a second notification would be forwarded once parts became available. The failure mileage was approximately 85,172.

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not available. 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 not experienced a failure.Â

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CT

At ~93,000 miles, my 2020 Ford F-550 (7.3L “Godzilla” V8) suffered catastrophic engine failure due to a roller lifter bearing failure, causing internal valvetrain damage and requiring full engine replacement. Ford dealer stated they recommended 90% coverage of the repair under goodwill through corporate, but later reduced coverage to 40% without explanation. After repairs, Ford corporate recommended a 3-year/36,000-mile PremiumCare warranty, then rescinded it a week later and offered only free oil changes. The 7.3L engine in my truck shares the same design as the F-53/F-59 motorhome chassis, which have multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for lifter bearing failure, overheating of cylinders #2–3, and low oil pressure at idle. My vehicle shows identical symptoms but was excluded from those VIN ranges, suggesting Ford is segmenting related defects to limit recall exposure. Inspection revealed a cracked and arcing spark-plug wire on cylinder #2, matching the motorhome TSB’s overheating issue. This arcing poses a fire risk and likely contributed to localized heat and mechanical failure. The truck was often driven in Eco Mode, which holds low RPMs under load. This can increase cylinder pressure, reduce oil flow, and exacerbate heat in cylinders #2–3—factors that align with the failure pattern. This combination of design-related overheating, lifter bearing failure, oil-pressure fluctuation, and spark-wire arcing presents a clear safety hazard. Engine stall or fire could occur under towing or heavy-load conditions. the federal safety agency investigation is warranted into Ford’s 7.3L Godzilla engine design and VIN-exclusion practices.

Filed May 14, 2025 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NC

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 the federal safety agency 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 federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

There was a recall on this veh. over a year ago and they still do not have the parts to repair it. My fuel milage went from 13.8 down to 9.6 and still going down. I have called Ford about this and they say they are still waiting on parts. I reminded them it has been over a year now and should have had the parts in a long time ago.

Filed Mar 24, 2025 · Fuel system · 38,239 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the fuel pump had failed and that it would need to be replaced by a Ford Dealership, and upon the vehicle arriving at Ford it was diagnosed a second time where it was confirmed that the failure originated from fuel pump failure, and that entire fuel system would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 38,239.

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Fuel system · 34,704 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving 60-70 MPH, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor. The message "Fuel Pressure Low" was displayed. The contact was driven to the residence. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that approximately 40 gallons of fuel had leaked out of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The contact later became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,704. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jul 2, 2024 · Suspension · MD

frame crack right behind cab. have two trucks with the same issue second vin ends in [XXX]. ford had a safety program 21B04 that expired which means they are aware of this issue and should issue a recall for it. ford has repeatedly refused to help with this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Compare the 2020 Ford F-550

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Questions about the 2020 Ford F-550

Is the 2020 Ford F-550 reliable?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2020 Ford F-550, 1.4 times a typical F-550 model year.

What is the 2020 Ford F-550 year score?

The 2020 Ford F-550 scores 62 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford F-550: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Ford F-550?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 8 complaints, typically around 38,239 miles. Next is engine (3).

How many recalls does the 2020 Ford F-550 have?

2 recalls, covering power train and seats.

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