FORD F-550 SD · model year

2000 FORD F-550 SD

85 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000FORDF-550 SD carries 85 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury, 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 2000 F-550 SD is tires:valve with 19 filings, followed by tires (12) and wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (4). 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 6 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 2000 F-550 SD, 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.

85
Complaints
5
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

85 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES:VALVE19
TIRES12
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS4
TIRES:SIDEWALL3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR2
ENGINE2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
SUSPENSION1

Recalls (6)

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

01V04600014/02/2001

TIRES:VALVE

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES THAT HAVE STEEL CORDS IN THE TIRE SIDEWALL. THE VALVE STEMS MAY HAVE BEEN TORN OR DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LEAK CAUSING SIDEWALL DAMAGE.

09V39900013/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS

01V25800008/08/2001

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPL

07V55300005/12/2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

06V28600001/08/2006

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Recent Complaints

20210730STEERING

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the power steering and brake lines were leaking causing the brakes and steering to become inoperable. The contact pulled over and topped off the power steering fluid reservoir and drove to the residence. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Mileage: 53,000

20210730SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the power steering and brake lines were leaking causing the brakes and steering to become inoperable. The contact pulled over and topped off the power steering fluid reservoir and drove to the residence. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Mileage: 53,000

20160629ENGINE

SPARK PLUG SPIT OUT, A KNOWN FORD PROBLEM.

Mileage: 45,000

20150831ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD F-550 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT, THE FUEL TANK WAS ALIGNED, THE FILTERS AND THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 294,731.

Mileage: 294,731

20140707CrashSERVICE BRAKES

THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO SHED LIGHT ON A DEFECTIVE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGNED BY FORD. THE SYSTEM WILL AFFECT SEVERAL MODEL YEARS OF FORD LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY DOES NOT WITHSTAND REGULAR USE IT TENDS TO FALL APART. THE LAST ASSEMBLY INSTALLED IN MY F-500 IS A FORD NEW ASSEMBLY AND HELD UP FOR 18000 MILES, FORD NOW REFUSES TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM HAS CAUSE THIS TRUCK TO ROLL AND HIT PARKED CARS. *JS THE ENTIRE DESIGN IS A FAILURE AS IT CAN NOT SAFELY HOLD THE WEIGHT OF AN EMPTY VEHICLE. MY TRUCK WEIGHS 14000 EMPTY AND IS RATED AT 19000 GVW. THE ASSEMBLY EVEN WHEN ADJUSTED PROPERLY CAN NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE ON AN INCLINE. THE INSIDE THE ROTOR HAT DESIGN FOR PARKING BRAKES IS A COPY FROM THE LIGHT SUV'S FORD PRODUCES. THIS IS NOT AN ADEQUATE DESIGN FOR HEAVIER VEHICLES. THE SURFACE AREA CONTACT OF SHOES TO THE INSIDE OF THE ROTOR HAT IS NOT GREAT ENOUGH TO PRODUCE THE FRICTION NEEDED TO HOLD THE VEHI

Mileage: 360,749

20140209FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FORD TRUCK BEGAN LOOSING POWER. BECAME UNABLE TO CLIMB HILL AND CONTINUE UP ROAD. DRIVER WAS IN VERY REMOTE ALASKA IN SUBZERO TEMPERATURES IN WORK TRUCK (AS MOST F550S ARE) MILES FROM HELP. PLOWING A FIREWOOD ROAD FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA. WE MAINTAIN OUR TRUCKS TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY TO PREVENT SUCH A LIFE THREATENING CIRCUMSTANCE. DRIVER CALLED ME FOR HELP. I WAS ABLE TO GO ONLINE AND FIND ENOUGH INFORMATION (KNOWING IT WAS NOT A FILTER OR PUMP OR MAINTENANCE ISSUE I DUG DEEPER) TO DEDUCE THE FUEL TANK HAD DELAMINATED AS LATELY HAS BECOME "COMMON" WITH THESE TRUCKS. UNDER MY ADVICE DRIVER (BEING A MECHANIC) WAS ABLE TO BLOW COMPRESSED AIR FROM A COMPRESSOR HE HAD ON BOARD BACK INTO THE TANK AND TEMPORARILY GET THE TRUCK RUNNING CORRECTLY AND GET BACK CIVILIZATION. TRUCK CLOGGED AGAIN AND HAS BEEN RUN STARVING FOR FUEL FOR HOURS BEFORE IT GOT TO THE HILL. WE ARE COMPLETELY UPSET AT THE PRICE FORD WANTS TO REMEDY AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. THESE TRUCKS ARE

Mileage: 110,000

20140209ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FORD TRUCK BEGAN LOOSING POWER. BECAME UNABLE TO CLIMB HILL AND CONTINUE UP ROAD. DRIVER WAS IN VERY REMOTE ALASKA IN SUBZERO TEMPERATURES IN WORK TRUCK (AS MOST F550S ARE) MILES FROM HELP. PLOWING A FIREWOOD ROAD FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA. WE MAINTAIN OUR TRUCKS TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY TO PREVENT SUCH A LIFE THREATENING CIRCUMSTANCE. DRIVER CALLED ME FOR HELP. I WAS ABLE TO GO ONLINE AND FIND ENOUGH INFORMATION (KNOWING IT WAS NOT A FILTER OR PUMP OR MAINTENANCE ISSUE I DUG DEEPER) TO DEDUCE THE FUEL TANK HAD DELAMINATED AS LATELY HAS BECOME "COMMON" WITH THESE TRUCKS. UNDER MY ADVICE DRIVER (BEING A MECHANIC) WAS ABLE TO BLOW COMPRESSED AIR FROM A COMPRESSOR HE HAD ON BOARD BACK INTO THE TANK AND TEMPORARILY GET THE TRUCK RUNNING CORRECTLY AND GET BACK CIVILIZATION. TRUCK CLOGGED AGAIN AND HAS BEEN RUN STARVING FOR FUEL FOR HOURS BEFORE IT GOT TO THE HILL. WE ARE COMPLETELY UPSET AT THE PRICE FORD WANTS TO REMEDY AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. THESE TRUCKS ARE

Mileage: 110,000

20131011FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD F-550 WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES SECONDS LATER VEHICLES CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH HAD BEEN REPLACED UNDER FORDS RECALL OF THE PART ACCORDING TO CONCERNS OF VEHICLE FIRES BUT WAS OBVIOUSLY STILL FAULTY. *TR

20131011FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FORD F-550 WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES SECONDS LATER VEHICLES CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH HAD BEEN REPLACED UNDER FORDS RECALL OF THE PART ACCORDING TO CONCERNS OF VEHICLE FIRES BUT WAS OBVIOUSLY STILL FAULTY. *TR

20110706FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD F550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FAULTY SINCE HE HAD IT REPLACED IN 2007 AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO CORROSION. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20100914POWER TRAIN

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. *TR

20100225FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD F550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MATERIAL IN THE FUEL TANK HAS DETACHED FROM THE INNER STRUCTURE OF THE TANK. THE MATERIAL WAS IN THE FUEL INJECTOR AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND SHUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, FUEL SENDER, FUEL FILTERS, AND THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH WHILE STALLING. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,450.

Mileage: 98,450

20090618FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

2000 FORD F-550 FUEL TANK LINER FAILURES. TANK LINER COMING APART CAUSING THE FUEL TANK NEEDING TO BE RELINED, AND REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20090618FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

2000 FORD F-550 FUEL TANK LINER FAILURES. TANK LINER COMING APART CAUSING THE FUEL TANK NEEDING TO BE RELINED, AND REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20080326STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

DRIVERS SIDE FRAME CROSSMEMBER HAS SEPARATED FROM FRAME RAIL.....BROKEN RIVETS AND WELDS....#8-2B IN THE FORD WORKSHOP MANUAL PAGE 502-02-2 DENOTES CROSS MEMBER AS PART OF THE COMPLETE FRAME ASSEMBLY...........UNSURE HOW TO PROCEED CORRECTLY WITH MINIMAL HELP FROM FORD AFTER NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS. *TR

Mileage: 39,009

20080326STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

DRIVERS SIDE FRAME CROSSMEMBER HAS SEPARATED FROM FRAME RAIL.....BROKEN RIVETS AND WELDS....#8-2B IN THE FORD WORKSHOP MANUAL PAGE 502-02-2 DENOTES CROSS MEMBER AS PART OF THE COMPLETE FRAME ASSEMBLY...........UNSURE HOW TO PROCEED CORRECTLY WITH MINIMAL HELP FROM FORD AFTER NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS. *TR

Mileage: 39,009

20070629CrashTIRES

2000 FORD F-550 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVE INTO A DITCH. *KB (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).*JB

20070307ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

WAS DRIVING ALONG IN MY FORD F550 PSD WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. PULLED OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR FIVE MIN. AND RESTARTED TRUCK. NEXT DAY IT DID THE SAME THING THIS TIME AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. RESTARTED AND DROVE BACK TO CAMP GROUND AND CHANGED THE CPS (CAM POSITION SENSOR) THE PROBLEM NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. GLAD I WAS NOT TOWING THE FIFTH-WHEEL AT THE TIME. *JB

Mileage: 149,256

20070126STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF A 2000 F550 SUPER DUTY TRUCK WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 5 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER MADE A HARD LEFT U-TURN AND THEN A HARD RIGHT AND THE STEERING SHAFT SNAPPED, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,188. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE INDEPENDENT FACILITY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE STEERING BOX SHAFT BREAKING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THE GENERAL MANAGER WAS AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 26,188

20060808PARKING BRAKE

EMERGENCY BRACE ACTUATOR PEDAL # F81Z-2780-AA. *JB

Mileage: 44,108

Compare 2000FORDF-550 SD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 FORD F-550 SD have?
The 2000 FORD F-550 SD has 85 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 FORD F-550 SD?
Yes, the 2000 FORD F-550 SD has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS:HUB. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 FORD F-550 SD?
The most-complained component for the 2000 FORD F-550 SD is TIRES:VALVE with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS.
Is the 2000 FORD F-550 SD 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.