2018 Ford F-550 problems, complaints & recalls

2018 Ford F-550 recalls (10)

• Recall 19V414000Jun 5, 20194 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT

  Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling certain 2018 Ford F-550 vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the factory default settings which can cause the camera image to be reversed.

  Risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Farber will notify owners, and dealers will add a harness relay capacitor module, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188 or ASA customer service at 1-800-384-4400.

• Recall 19V398000May 29, 201913 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT

  LGE Coachworks, Inc. (LGE Coachworks) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ford E-450, F-550, and Freightliner M2-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager back-up camera displays. The displays may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.

  Risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: ASA will notify LGE Coachworks owners, and dealers will replace the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA customer service at 1-800-384-4400 or LGE Coachworks at 1-800-209-3985.

• Recall 19V401000May 29, 201922 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT

  VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists (VCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550, 2014 E-350 and E-450, 2015 F-250 and F-450, 2016 E-450, 2017 E-350, F-450 and E-450, 2018 F-350, 2010 E-450, 2005-2006 E-450, 2009 E-450 and Chevrolet C4500-based Type I and Type III ambulances equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The monitors may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.

  Risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists will work with ASA to notify the owners, and remedy the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics at 1-800-384-4400.

• Recall 19V358000May 13, 20194 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

  Unruh Fire, Inc. (Unruh Fire) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550-based fire trucks equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

  Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Unruh Fire has notified owners and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began in May 20, 2019. Owners may contact Unruh Fire customer service at 1-800-856-7080.

• Recall 19V342000May 3, 201917 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

  Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

  Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Taylor Made will notify owners and Whelen will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2019. Owners may contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310.

• Recall 19V269000Apr 3, 20191 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

  Weis Fire & Safety is recalling one 2018 Emergency vehicle built on a Ford F-550 4x4 Crew Cab chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights recalled under 18E-063. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

  Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Weis Fire & Safety has already notified the owner, and replaced the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Weis Fire & Safety customer service at 1-785-825-9526.

• Recall 19V254000Mar 28, 20191 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

  Blanchat Mfg., Inc. (Blanchat) is recalling one 2018 B-27 Minuteman vehicle built on a Ford F-550 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

  Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Blanchat has notified the owner, and will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2019. Owners may contact Blanchat customer service at 1-620-896-7145.

• Recall 19V251000Mar 28, 20192 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

  Fire Equipment Sales & Service (FES) is recalling one Super C Brush emergency vehicle and one Tanker emergency vehicle equipped with Whelen brake lights recalled under 18E-063. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

  Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: FES has already notified owners, and replaced the brake lights, free of charge. Owners may contact FES customer service at 1-803-494-6000 or Whelen customer service at 1-860-718-2331.

• Recall 19V236000Mar 26, 201936 vehicles
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

  Excellance, Inc. (Excellance) is recalling certain 2018 Ambulances and Emergency Vehicles built on Ford E-350, E-450, F-650, F-550 4x4, Chevrolet G4500, G4500 Diesel, C3500, G3500, Freightliner M2, International 4300, and Dodge 4500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Excellance has notified owners, instructing them to contact Whelen to have the brake lights replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2019. Owners may contact Whelen customer service at 1-860-718-2331 or Execellance at 1-256-772-9321.

• Recall 18V894000Dec 18, 2018410,289 vehicles
  ENGINE

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.

  Risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.

Recent 2018 Ford F-550 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Feb 11, 202573,000 miMOBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-550. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the frame was cracked between the bed and the cab. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the vehicle was previously repaired under a related unknown recall and declined to perform the recall repair on a second occasion. The dealer determined that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11642046 · source
2. Filed Jul 25, 2024268,967 miCATowedBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the subframe suddenly fractured in half. The contact stated that the fracture occurred near the rear cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed from the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 268,967.

   NHTSA complaint #11604457 · source
3. Filed Nov 17, 202326,000 miCATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact observed a humming sound coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ring and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ring and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11555618 · source
4. Filed Jul 31, 202366,265 miWIEngine

   The contact's company owns a 2018 Ford F-550. The contact stated while an employee was driving at 55 MPH, the service vehicle soon warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the turbocharger to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced failure a second time on July 28, 2023. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the turbocharger…

   NHTSA complaint #11535467 · source
5. Filed Mar 17, 202117,000 miINSteeringSuspension

   Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ford f-550. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehcile started to shake violently from front end of vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to heartland ford (5979 west, us hwy 136, covington, in 47932, [phone removed]) where it was diagnosed with needing the steering damper, 3 ball joints, and track bar to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to lafayette ford (2051 sagamore pkwy s,…

   NHTSA complaint #11403467 · source
6. Filed Jan 20, 202114,000 miWISteering

   Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ford f-550. The contact stated that when driving their vehicle, the vehicle would veer left or right on it's own without warning. The vehicle's steering would not be able to straighten itself. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (dorsch ford lincoln kia 2641 eaton rd, green bay, wi 54311; [phone removed]) who replaced the steering box, a few tie rods, and a few wheel alignments. The failure still persist. The manufacturer was not made aware…

   NHTSA complaint #11388990 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology