Ford F-550 SD · model year

2020 Ford F-550 SD

5 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 8 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
5
Recalls
8

The verdict

The 2020 Ford F-550 SD posts below-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

Top 35%
fewest complaints, own model years
8
recall campaigns

The 2020FordF-550 SD carries 5 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2020 F-550 SD is power train with 2 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (2) and unknown or other (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 179 investigation files overlapping the 2020 F-550 SD, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

5
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2020 Ford F-550 SD

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

5 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recalls (8)

20V57500023/09/2020

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or dist

20V36500023/06/2020

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super-Duty F-250, F-350, and F-550 diesel pickups. The transmission torque converter damper plate was not tempered, resulting in a brittle damper plate that may fracture and cause the engine to stall or require increased brake pedal effort in orde

24V95700020/12/2024

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, F600, and 2021-2022 F-650, F750 vehicles. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.

21V09000018/02/2021

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 and 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requi

26V15800017/03/2026

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, 2021-2022 F600, and 2022 F750 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V957. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the hi

22V25000014/04/2022

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.

22V25600014/04/2022

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism.

23V42000009/06/2023

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head re

Recent Complaints

20250521POWER TRAIN

Low on fluid And Transmission

20250505FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Attempting registration renewal on 01/30/2025, and DMV has rejected, but cashed our check for registration renewal. Upon research of FORD Recall Available to Remedy, the SOFTWARE is NOT Available to Remedy since January 1st, 2025. How do we handle not being able to remedy FORD MANUFACTURER RECALL #22E04 ? Please ADVISE at your earliest opportunity? How to complete DMV registration when serious remedy is NOT available and registration has been expired since 03/31/25. We have sent CARB registration, copies of all RECALL Notices received not able to remedy and DMV continues no reject renewal until Recall can be completed.

20250216CrashPOWER TRAIN

I have more files and receipts Vehicle Information: •Make: Ford •Model: F-550 Super Duty •Year: 2020 Issue Summary: After a recall service (22E04) for powertrain and transmission software updates, the vehicle experienced a complete power failure within 40 miles, leading to a stall and loss of control, resulting in the vehicle veering into a ditch. Incident Details: •Recall Service Date: ] •Mileage at Service: 63,993 •Incident Mileage: ~64,030 miles •Description: Post-recall, multiple warning lights activated, including powertrain malfunction and traction control off. The vehicle stalled, became unresponsive, and veered off the road. After multiple attempts coming after multiple attempts to call the dealership and corporate with no answer, forced to leave a bad survey and then someone contacted Follow-Up Actions: The dealership attributed the issue to a missing 10-amp fuse. However, prior warnings from the FordPass app indicated powertrain malfunctions since October 202

20250216CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have more files and receipts Vehicle Information: •Make: Ford •Model: F-550 Super Duty •Year: 2020 Issue Summary: After a recall service (22E04) for powertrain and transmission software updates, the vehicle experienced a complete power failure within 40 miles, leading to a stall and loss of control, resulting in the vehicle veering into a ditch. Incident Details: •Recall Service Date: ] •Mileage at Service: 63,993 •Incident Mileage: ~64,030 miles •Description: Post-recall, multiple warning lights activated, including powertrain malfunction and traction control off. The vehicle stalled, became unresponsive, and veered off the road. After multiple attempts coming after multiple attempts to call the dealership and corporate with no answer, forced to leave a bad survey and then someone contacted Follow-Up Actions: The dealership attributed the issue to a missing 10-amp fuse. However, prior warnings from the FordPass app indicated powertrain malfunctions since October 202

20250216CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I have more files and receipts Vehicle Information: •Make: Ford •Model: F-550 Super Duty •Year: 2020 Issue Summary: After a recall service (22E04) for powertrain and transmission software updates, the vehicle experienced a complete power failure within 40 miles, leading to a stall and loss of control, resulting in the vehicle veering into a ditch. Incident Details: •Recall Service Date: ] •Mileage at Service: 63,993 •Incident Mileage: ~64,030 miles •Description: Post-recall, multiple warning lights activated, including powertrain malfunction and traction control off. The vehicle stalled, became unresponsive, and veered off the road. After multiple attempts coming after multiple attempts to call the dealership and corporate with no answer, forced to leave a bad survey and then someone contacted Follow-Up Actions: The dealership attributed the issue to a missing 10-amp fuse. However, prior warnings from the FordPass app indicated powertrain malfunctions since October 202

Compare 2020FordF-550 SD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 6 Open

View all investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 Ford F-550 SD have?
The 2020 Ford F-550 SD has 5 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Ford F-550 SD?
Yes, the 2020 Ford F-550 SD has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford F-550 SD?
The most-complained component for the 2020 Ford F-550 SD is POWER TRAIN with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2020 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.

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2020 Ford F-550 SD; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.