Total Complaints
35 filings
FORD F-550 SD · model year
35 NHTSA complaints, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001FORDF-550 SD carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 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 2001 F-550 SD is fuel system, diesel with 7 filings, followed by tires:valve (6) and fuel system, gasoline (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 7 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 2001 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.
Total Complaints
35 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 7 |
| TIRES:VALVE | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 1 |
| HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
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
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM
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.
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
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
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
I was waiting at a red light and my truck started smoking and caught fire
FUEL TANK DELAMINATION LEADING TO STALLING AND EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF TANK AT MY COST.
Mileage: 150,000
SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. APPEARS TO BE LATCHED BUT WHEN VEHICLE ENGAGES THE SLIGHTEST BUMP ON THE ROAD THE BUCKLE RELEASES. I KNOW THIS WILL NOT HOLD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN 2002, WHICH WAS JUST AN INSPECTION AT THAT TIME BUT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT PERFORMED AT THAT TIME.
Mileage: 32,895
THIS BEING 2ND DIESEL FORD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD SAME ISSUE....LOSING POWER , BLOWING SMOKE. ON THIS 2001 , I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FILTERS, DRAINED TANK TO CLEAN ,WIRE HARNESSES,FUEL INJECTORS ONLY TO REPLACE MOTOR WITHIN A MONTH OR SO DUE TO CONTAMINATION TO SYSTEM ALSO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE NEW MOTOR WHICH I FEEL COULD OF BEEN DUE TO STRAIN ON VEHICLE....NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRUCK HAS STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.I HAVE SANK SO MUCH INTO IT I'D NEVER GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT IF SOLD.I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND ALL THE MONEY PEOPLE HAVE PUT OUT TO CORRECT THE ISSUES OCCURRING, WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO GET HOME AND IT STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *TR
THIS BEING 2ND DIESEL FORD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD SAME ISSUE....LOSING POWER , BLOWING SMOKE. ON THIS 2001 , I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FILTERS, DRAINED TANK TO CLEAN ,WIRE HARNESSES,FUEL INJECTORS ONLY TO REPLACE MOTOR WITHIN A MONTH OR SO DUE TO CONTAMINATION TO SYSTEM ALSO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE NEW MOTOR WHICH I FEEL COULD OF BEEN DUE TO STRAIN ON VEHICLE....NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRUCK HAS STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.I HAVE SANK SO MUCH INTO IT I'D NEVER GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT IF SOLD.I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND ALL THE MONEY PEOPLE HAVE PUT OUT TO CORRECT THE ISSUES OCCURRING, WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO GET HOME AND IT STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *TR
THIS BEING 2ND DIESEL FORD TRUCK THAT HAS HAD SAME ISSUE....LOSING POWER , BLOWING SMOKE. ON THIS 2001 , I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS FILTERS, DRAINED TANK TO CLEAN ,WIRE HARNESSES,FUEL INJECTORS ONLY TO REPLACE MOTOR WITHIN A MONTH OR SO DUE TO CONTAMINATION TO SYSTEM ALSO TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE NEW MOTOR WHICH I FEEL COULD OF BEEN DUE TO STRAIN ON VEHICLE....NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRUCK HAS STARTED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.I HAVE SANK SO MUCH INTO IT I'D NEVER GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT IF SOLD.I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND ALL THE MONEY PEOPLE HAVE PUT OUT TO CORRECT THE ISSUES OCCURRING, WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOUR TRYING TO GET HOME AND IT STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-550 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PAINT INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WAS CHIPPING AND CONTAMINATING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-550 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF PAINT DELAMINATING INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I HAVE A 2001 FORD F550 SUPER DUTY FLATBED TOWTRUCK, THE TRUCKS DESIGN IS A COMBINATION FROM FORD AND INTERNATIONAL, WHICH DUE TO THE FAULTY FUEL TANK DELAMINATING AND CAUSING A FINANCIAL LOSE OF NOT ONLY A DAYS WORK, BUT ALSO THE NEED OF HAVING A TWO VEHICLES WHICH WHILE IN TOW STOP TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK LOOSES POWER AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TURNS ON. COST OVER 1000.00 JUST IN WRECKER BILLS, AND NOT TO MENTION TRASHED THE INJECTORS, PUMP, AND FILTER SYSTEM AND ALL THE LINES. FORD OR INTERNATIONAL WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR A BAD FUEL TANK RECALL. TRUCK IS STILL DOWN AND SEEMS THAT I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO REPLACE ALL PARTS MENTIONED AT MY COST. *TR
Mileage: 290,000
WE OWN A LANDSCAPE CONST BUSINESS AND WE HAVE 3 FORD F550'S AND ALL 3 HAVE LEAKS IN THE GAS TANKS. THIS IS A VERY LARGE SAFETY HAZARD AND WE WOULD LIKE THIS ADDRESSED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WE OWN A LANDSCAPE BUSINESS IN SOUTH JERSEY. WE HAVE 3 FORD F550'S AND ALL 3 HAVE LEAKS IN THEIR GAS TANKS. IM FILING A COMPLAINT FOR EACH ONE. WE WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED, ITS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WE OWN A LANDSCAPE BUSINESS IN SOUTH JERSEY. WE HAVE 3 FORD F550'S AND ALL 3 HAVE LEAKS IN THEIR GAS TANKS. IM FILING A COMPLAINT FOR EACH ONE. WE WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED, ITS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WE HAVE 3 FORD F550'S THAT HAVE GAS TANK LEAKS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A FORD F550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE THERE WAS A HIGH DEMAND FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
JUNE 21, 2007AT SHOP FOR STATE INSPECTION ALSO ENGINE MISSING. REPLACE FUEL FILTER DURING REGULAR SERVICE DUE TO MISSING ENGINE. JUNE 17, 2008 - VEHICLE MISSING AND STALLING, DIAGNOSTICS DONE , REPLACED WIRE ASSEMBLY AND GASKET VALVE COVER, CLEANED MOTOR SEPT. 23, 2008- MISSING IN ENGINE AND STALLING, DIAGNOSTICS DONE, REPLACED CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND CARB CLEANER ADDED SEPT. 25, 2008 - MISSING AND STALLED WOULD NOT START TOWED TO SHOP. DIAGNOSTICS DONE, DRAINED FUEL TANK DISCOVERED PEELING AND SLIVERS, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, GASKETS AND WIRE ASSEMBLY, FUEL INJECTORS AND REPLACED FUEL TANK. *TR
Mileage: 80,182
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD TANK FALLING APART INSIDE - HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND READ ABOUT 100+ POSTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, NO CAUSED BY THE FUEL, BUT BY THE TANKS CHEAP DESIGN. ITS GOING TO COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX - THIS IS NOT FAIR - FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT!!!!! *TR
Mileage: 288,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F550. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE, FUEL STARVATION ON MY 2001 F550 DIESEL TRUCK. I REPLACED THE FILTERS TODAY AT THE ONSET OF THE INCIDENT, BUT JUST REPLACED THEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO WITH MY MECHANIC. IT RUNS FINE ON LEVEL GROUND, BUT AT AN INCLINE IT LOSES POWER AND BARELY MAKES IT UP A HILL. I REMOVED THE TANK PUMP FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND LOOKED IN TO IT WITH A FLASHLIGHT. THE LINING OF MY TANK IS PEELING OFF. AFTER INVESTIGATING ONLINE, I FIND THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH FORD. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I RUN A SMALL BUSINESS, AND RELY ON THIS ONLY TRUCK TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY OF 7 KIDS, WIFE AND MOTHER. I HAVE PUT 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS VEHICLE IN ITS 110,000 MILE LIFETIME, AND NOW THIS. *TR
Mileage: 110,000
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE, FUEL STARVATION ON MY 2001 F550 DIESEL TRUCK. I REPLACED THE FILTERS TODAY AT THE ONSET OF THE INCIDENT, BUT JUST REPLACED THEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO WITH MY MECHANIC. IT RUNS FINE ON LEVEL GROUND, BUT AT AN INCLINE IT LOSES POWER AND BARELY MAKES IT UP A HILL. I REMOVED THE TANK PUMP FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND LOOKED IN TO IT WITH A FLASHLIGHT. THE LINING OF MY TANK IS PEELING OFF. AFTER INVESTIGATING ONLINE, I FIND THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH FORD. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I RUN A SMALL BUSINESS, AND RELY ON THIS ONLY TRUCK TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY OF 7 KIDS, WIFE AND MOTHER. I HAVE PUT 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS VEHICLE IN ITS 110,000 MILE LIFETIME, AND NOW THIS. *TR
Mileage: 110,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.