2014 Ford F-550 SD

Routine

Owners filed 9 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System2
000
Engine2
020
Wheels1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Steering1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Power Train1
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)15V175000
Filed Mar 25, 20156,322 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.

Risk. Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.

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. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.

Suspension15V024000
Filed Jan 22, 20154 vehiclesLife Line Emergency Vehicles

Defect. Life Line Emergency Vehicles (Life Line) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Life Line-modified Ford F-Series emergency vehicles that are equipped with Liquid Spring-brand aftermarket suspension kits. The mounting bracket that attaches the suspension fluid tank to the frame may fail allowing the fluid tank to separate from the vehicle.

Risk. If the suspension fluid tank mount fractures and the tank separates from the chassis, the tank may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall began on February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Life Line customer service at 1-563-578-3317.

Equipment14V336000
Filed Jun 18, 201442 vehiclesDual-Tech, Inc.

Defect. Dual-Tech, Inc. (Dual-Tech) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-550 Super Duty trucks modified by Dual-Tech, equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Risk. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy. Dual-Tech will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2014. Owners may contact Dual-Tech customer service at 1-800-852-0345.

Equipment14V328000
Filed Jun 13, 201421 vehiclesIowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc.

Defect. Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. This will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.

Risk. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy. Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.

Equipment14V327000
Filed Jun 12, 201410 vehiclesStahl

Defect. Stahl is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Stahl and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Risk. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy. Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1-800-277-8245, or Muncie at 1-800-367-7867.

Equipment14V307000
Filed Jun 4, 201419 vehiclesTactical Vehicle Outfitters

Defect. Tactical Vehicle Outfitters (Tactical) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ford F-350 and F-550 vehicles modified by Tactical and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Risk. The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy. Tactical will notify owners, and dealers will install a new PTO pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Tactical customer service at 1-405-603-6700.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Aug 21, 202364,656 milesTN

The contact owns a 2014 Thor Outlaw Motorhome built on a 2014 Ford F-550 Super Duty chassis. The contact stated she noticed that the front cap was separating from the structure. The contact took the motorhome to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front cap to be replaced. The motorhome was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,656.

EngineFire
Filed Sep 3, 201926,242 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD F-550 CRANE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, IT CAUGHT FIRE OVERNIGHT UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED BFI JOB NUMBER: 304652019, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,242. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

EngineFire
Filed Sep 3, 201936,012 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-550. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, IT CAUGHT FIRE OVERNIGHT UNDER THE HOOD. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,012.

Power Train
Filed Jun 18, 201988,000 milesOH

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A WINDING COUNTRY ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY NOTICE LARGE VOLUME SMOKE COMING FROM TRUCK. IT WAS A SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE, FITTING SIMPLY CAME APART, SPEWING TRANSMISSION FLUID ON HOT EXHAUST AND UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, NEARLY CAUSING A FIRE AND DISABLING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ON SIDE OF ROADWAY UNABLE TO MOVE TO SAFETY. FLUID ON ROADWAY COULD CAUSE UPCOMING VEHICLES (TRYING TO AVOID DISABLED VEHICLE) BEING UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY, ESPECIALLY MOTORCYCLES, PART IS POORLY DESIGNED/ENGINEERED AND WOULD/SHOULD NEVER FAIL UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. PART IS NOT A NORMALLY SERVICED OR "WEAR" TYPE PART. NO WARNING OF POTENTIAL OR EMINENT FAILURE. I AM 66 YEARS OLD, BEEN IN TOWING/SERVICE REPAIR BUSINESS FOR 35+ YEARS AND CANNOT RECALL SEEING A PART FAIL SUCH AS THIS. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD VERY REAL, IF AMBIENT TEMP AND WORK LOAD ON UNIT HAD BEEN HIGHER IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE, OIL SPRAY ON HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, OH YES, SEEN THAT. BEING A MECHANIC I WAS ABLE TO EFFECT A TEMPORARY REPAIR, REPLACED FLUID AND DROVE IT AWAY. I HAVE FAILED PART TO SUPPLY IF REQUESTED. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST IS LABEL OF REPLACEMENT PART, SECOND PICTURE OF NEW PART AND BROKEN PART, THEN ANOTHER VIEW OF SAME. I TRIED TO TAKE A PICTURE SHOWING THE CORROSION THAT FORMED IN THE CRACK OF FITTING THAT FORCED IT TO SPLIT APART, KEEPING IN MIND THAT THE NORMALLY WHITE CORRODED ALUMINUM HAD TRANS OIL SPRAYED ONTO IT. THERE IS ALSO A PICTURE OF THE LOCATION ON TRUCK

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 30, 201630,000 milesAZ

FORD HAS INSTALLED SIX FUEL TANKS IN THIS TRUCK. ALL HAVE CRACKED DUE DO FAULTY FACTORY INSTALLATION. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTO'S IF YOU WANT THEM. FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT WON'T FIX IT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 22, 201647,937 milesAZ

FUEL TANK DEVELOPS A LEAK AND WE HAVE REPLACE FOUR FUEL TANKS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 201612,600 milesCA

BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED SOFT WHEN DRIVING THIS RV (ON A 2014 FORD F53) TO STORAGE YARD. FOUR HOURS AFTER PARKING, I STARTED THE RV TO ADJUST ITS LOCATION AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO OTHER SYMPTOM OF TROUBLE, NO WARNING MESSAGE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT, THE MESSAGE CENTER ON THE DASH BOARD WARNED OF 'LOW BRAKE FLUID'. WE ARE LUCKY THIS HAPPENED IN THE STORAGE YARD AND NOT ON THE ROAD. FORD DEALER FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY, STATING THAT THE RELIEF VALVE IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED.

Wheels
Filed Sep 3, 20158,950 milesCA

STARTING OUT FROM A CAMPGROUND THERE WAS A LOUD SQUEELING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG BUT OLD SAW NO PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO CELL COVERAGE TO CALL FOR HELP SO I CONTINUED ON TO STEWAT, BC, CANADA. A MECHANIC IN STEWART JACKED UP THE MOTORHOME AND THE WHEEL WOBBLED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. REMOVING THE WHEEL, THEY FOUND THE BEARING WAS SO BAD IT CAUSED THE BEARING NUT TO BOND TO THE SPINDLE. CHECKING THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING FOUND THE BEARING GREASE TO BE FULL OF SMALL PIECES OF METAL. CLEANING THE GREASE OFF SHOWED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE EXTREMELY PITTED. THE MECH. SAID THAT IF WE HAD DRIVEN ANY FURTHER IT WAS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THE WHEEL COULD HAVE COME OFF

Steering
Filed Jun 12, 2014MN

ALL SUPER DUTY CAB AND CHASSIS AND VANS ALSO SINCE 2011 THOUGH 2015 HAVE HAD THE SEAT MOVED TO THE CENTER BY 1 1/2 " TO ALLOW FOR THE AIR BAG TO HAVE ROOM TO EXPAND, BETWEEN SEAT AND DOOR. BUT THEY CHOOSE NOT TO MOVE THE PEDALS AND STEERING WHEEL OVER TO THE CENTER 1 1/2 " . THEY LEFT THEM OFF SET TO THE SEAT CENTER BY 1 1/2 " TO THE LEFT OF CENTER OF THE SEAT. SO BASICALLY YOU STEER OFF TO THE LEFT OF CENTER , WHICH IS A DANGEROUS AND IT HIDES PART OF THE SPEEDOMETER. SO YOU SPEND TIME STRUGGLING TRYING TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER , WHICH CAUSES YOU NOT TO LOOK AT THE ROAD. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL /////// *TR

9 of 9 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261200Routine
20251300Do not drive
20242200Routine
20231900Do not drive
202291210Do not drive
202112920Do not drive
20204800Routine
20194520Routine
20180300Routine
20172800Routine
20163300Routine
201511320Routine
2014 — this page9620Routine
20132900Routine
201261000Routine
201131200Routine
20101700Routine
20091500Routine
200826400Routine
200723220Routine
200644211Fatalities reported
200532500Routine
200449350Routine
200333550Routine
200222530Routine
200129730Routine
200072620Routine
199961930Routine
19980200Routine
19972300Routine
19960200Routine
19950200Routine
19940200Routine
19930100Routine

Compare every F-550 SD year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 25, 2015. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.