FORD F-550 · model year

2011 FORD F-550

17 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011FORDF-550 carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 F-550 is engine with 6 filings, followed by fuel system, diesel (2) and fuel/propulsion system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2011 F-550, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

17
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

17 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE6
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE:BODY1
EQUIPMENT1
PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL1
POWER TRAIN1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
STEERING1

Recalls (5)

13V53500030/10/2013

ENGINE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an en

15V05200030/01/2015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

All Wheel Drive Equipment Mfg., Inc. (All Wheel) is recalling one model year 2011 Ford F-550 truck with a 6.8L gasoline engine manufactured May 14, 2010, to May 28, 2010. The affected vehicle is equipped with a PTO Assembly Pressure Switch, part number FR67, used with power take off (PTO) assemblie

14V49800013/08/2014

EQUIPMENT

PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's 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 coveri

14V41100008/07/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

J.C. Madigan, Inc. (J.C. Madigan) is recalling one model year 2011 Ford F-550, and one model year 2013 Ford F-450 chassis with a 6.8L gasoline engine dump trucks equipped with certain PTO Assembly Pressure Switches, part number 30T37594, manufactured June 2009 through June 2013, used in power take o

14V04000006/02/2014

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Almared, Inc., dba A-1 Alternative Fuel Systems, is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-550 transit buses manufactured May 2011 through April 2013, altered to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the brackets securing the passenger side CNG fuel tank may brea

Recent Complaints

20241206ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-550. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a failure in cylinder #8 and with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 49,000

20241204ENGINE

The contact's local fire department owns a 2011 Ford F-550. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled out as several warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact made multiple attempts to restart the engine but the failure persisted. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic was performed. The mechanic discovered diesel fuel in the oil reservoir which had resulted in engine failure. Upon investigation, the mechanic referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty or recall. The manufacturer then referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,500.

Mileage: 6,500

20210113POWER TRAIN

TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE HAVE HAD THE FRONT END/DRIVE SHAFT/NEW TIRES/WHEELS EITHER REPLACED OR GONE THROUGH. NOTHING HAS IMPROVED.

Mileage: 155,000

20210113VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE HAVE HAD THE FRONT END/DRIVE SHAFT/NEW TIRES/WHEELS EITHER REPLACED OR GONE THROUGH. NOTHING HAS IMPROVED.

Mileage: 155,000

20210113STEERING

TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE HAVE HAD THE FRONT END/DRIVE SHAFT/NEW TIRES/WHEELS EITHER REPLACED OR GONE THROUGH. NOTHING HAS IMPROVED.

Mileage: 155,000

20200422ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO LININGS IN THE INTERNAL PART OF THE VEHICLE WHICH BOTH UNEXPECTEDLY DETACHED AND CONTAMINATED THE FUEL IN FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH TOOK THREE MONTHS. THE DIAGNOSIS RESULTS WAS CONTAMINATION FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *BF*JB

Mileage: 24,000

20200422FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO LININGS IN THE INTERNAL PART OF THE VEHICLE WHICH BOTH UNEXPECTEDLY DETACHED AND CONTAMINATED THE FUEL IN FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH TOOK THREE MONTHS. THE DIAGNOSIS RESULTS WAS CONTAMINATION FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *BF*JB

Mileage: 24,000

20170607ENGINE

ENGINE SHUTTING OFF & WILL NOT RE-START AFTER. WILL RESTART AFTER IT SITS FOR A COUPLE HOURS. HAS BEEN INTO TUTTLECLICK FORD SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR OF THIS ISSUE. STILL NOT FIXED.

Mileage: 22,555

20151110ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE FUEL TANK SHED INTO THE FUEL TANK AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE CLEANED. TWO YEARS LATER, AFTER THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WOULD REQUIRE THE SAME REVISIONS AS BEFORE; HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE PERFORMED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ UPDATED 02/11/16.*JB

Mileage: 18,000

20151110FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE FUEL TANK SHED INTO THE FUEL TANK AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE CLEANED. TWO YEARS LATER, AFTER THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WOULD REQUIRE THE SAME REVISIONS AS BEFORE; HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE PERFORMED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ UPDATED 02/11/16.*JB

Mileage: 18,000

20150825FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-550. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE LOW POWER WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL LINE AND THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,633. UPDATED 11/06/15*LJ *CN

Mileage: 19,633

20150122ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V535000 (ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. MA 07/30/15 UPDATED 9/19/2017*CN

Mileage: 19,000

20140604ENGINE

FORD HAS A TSB ON A CYLINDER #5 GLOWPLUG FAILURE THAT CAUSES ENGINE FAILURE. COINCIDENTALLY, THEIR WARRANTY ON A 6.7 DIESEL IS TO 100,000 MILES. MINE FAILED AT 104,000. FORD IS NOT COVERING IT. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME $13,000. THE ITEM SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 104,000

20140506FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

FUEL TANK IS RUSTED FROM INSIDE . CLOGS FILTERS AND SYSTEM . *TR

Mileage: 14,737

20131218EQUIPMENT

THIS COMPLAINT IS A FOLLOW-UP TO YOUR REF# 521328. IT CONCERNS AN UN-DELIVERED EMERGENCY VEHICLE THAT PLASTISCOL COMPOSITES, THAT IS BEING PAID WITH FEMA FUNDS UNDER A FEDERAL GRANT AND IS TRYING TO FORCE A VIBRATING DRIVE LINE PROBLEM VEHICLE TO OTHER COMPANIES WITHOUT TELLING THEM. THE VEHICLE IS NOW OVER 930 DAYS LATE, DUE TO POORLY ENGINEERING THE DRIVE LINE AFTER INSTALLING A PTO IN THE DRIVE LINE TO POWER THE REAR MOUNTED PUMP. ON NUMEROUS OCCASION, PLASTISOL WORKERS BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO BE INSPECTED FOR ACCEPTANCE, BUT ON EACH OCCASION, NUMEROUS DEFECTS WERE NOTED INCLUDING COLD WELDS, LOOSE PARTS POOR ASSEMBLY. AND THE MOST SERIOUS, WAS THE DRIVE LINE VIBRATION THAT BEGAN AT 40 MPH AND BECAME WORSE. PLASTISOL WORKERS ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE NO ENGINEER ASSISTING THEM TO RESOLVED THE PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE IS EQUIVALENT TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN # 10V092000. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS VEHICLE AND DETERMINE IF THE DRIVE LINE VIBRATI

20131218PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE

THIS COMPLAINT IS A FOLLOW-UP TO YOUR REF# 521328. IT CONCERNS AN UN-DELIVERED EMERGENCY VEHICLE THAT PLASTISCOL COMPOSITES, THAT IS BEING PAID WITH FEMA FUNDS UNDER A FEDERAL GRANT AND IS TRYING TO FORCE A VIBRATING DRIVE LINE PROBLEM VEHICLE TO OTHER COMPANIES WITHOUT TELLING THEM. THE VEHICLE IS NOW OVER 930 DAYS LATE, DUE TO POORLY ENGINEERING THE DRIVE LINE AFTER INSTALLING A PTO IN THE DRIVE LINE TO POWER THE REAR MOUNTED PUMP. ON NUMEROUS OCCASION, PLASTISOL WORKERS BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO BE INSPECTED FOR ACCEPTANCE, BUT ON EACH OCCASION, NUMEROUS DEFECTS WERE NOTED INCLUDING COLD WELDS, LOOSE PARTS POOR ASSEMBLY. AND THE MOST SERIOUS, WAS THE DRIVE LINE VIBRATION THAT BEGAN AT 40 MPH AND BECAME WORSE. PLASTISOL WORKERS ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE NO ENGINEER ASSISTING THEM TO RESOLVED THE PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE IS EQUIVALENT TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN # 10V092000. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS VEHICLE AND DETERMINE IF THE DRIVE LINE VIBRATI

20131214CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

[XXX] THIS IS A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WITH A DOT REGISTRATION AS A GROSS WEIGHT VEHICLE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY SPECIAL ENDORSEMENTS A DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE MUST HAVE, IF ANY, IN ORDER TO DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER STATED HE WAS NOT LICENSED TO DRIVE IT. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Compare 2011FORDF-550 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 FORD F-550 have?
The 2011 FORD F-550 has 17 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 FORD F-550?
Yes, the 2011 FORD F-550 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 FORD F-550?
The most-complained component for the 2011 FORD F-550 is ENGINE with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 FORD F-550 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.