2019 Ford F-550 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 F-550.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V894000 (manufacturer code 18S45).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207,…
What could happen: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 F-550.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V633000 (manufacturer code 19C07).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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.
What could happen: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 F-550.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V398000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-384-4400.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
4. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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."
What could happen: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Watts Manufacturing will notify owners and Whelen dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Watts Manufacturing customer service at 1-785-404-6003.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 F-550.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V226000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-785-404-6003.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Summary: Watts Manufacturing, LLC (Watts Manufacturing) is recalling certain 2019 First responder vehicles built on 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. 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."
Consequence: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Watts Manufacturing will notify owners and Whelen dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Watts Manufacturing customer service at 1-785-404-6003.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2019 Ford F-550 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (6), Body / structure (4), Electrical system (3), Steering (2), Fuel system (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/18/2026 · Steering
The complaint was filed on behalf of the contact's employer. The contact's employer owns a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was swerving from side to side. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer sever…
08/12/2025 · Transmission / drivetrain
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated that upon noticing an abnormal burning odor, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the wiring underneath the driver's side of the dashboard was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The mechanic replaced the wiring a second time; however, the failure persisted. The power train and t…
07/10/2025 · Engine · fire
While driving down the road a passerby got our drivers attention to tell them the truck was on fire. When he pulled over and got out the truck went up in flames fast from under the hood. Due to the heavy damage we are unsure where the fire started. It has not been inspected by anyone yet. It was towed to our shop. The driver reported there was an odd s…
01/13/2025 · Engine · fire
The contact owned a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, turned on, and unoccupied, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front of the engine compartment had caught fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed however, the cause for the failure was not yet det…
11/14/2024 · Electrical system · fire
A clogged fuel filter caused an engine fire. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. The fuel filter has been known to be problematic for these trucks, in yet there has been no recall. A simple google search shows these fires are common. The vehicle has been in for service at the dealership many times but no one checked…
10/17/2024 · Body / structure
Purchased truck used and discovered frame was cracked shortly after I had taken it in to Ford several times because alignment wouldn’t keep vehicle from feeling bouncy (hopping) going down the road. At no point did anyone tell me of a customer satisfaction program that was in place for my vehicle for a frame repair/replacement. Instead they strung me along…
07/31/2024 · Body / structure
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-550. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the subframe. The contact stated that the failure recurred increasingly while driving on a bumpy road surface. The contact stated that while inspecting the frame, he noticed that the frame rail behind the cab was fractured. The veh…
06/04/2024 · Engine
Our company has been proactively replacing some of the older fuel filters in our fleet as part of a safety campaign. A fuel filter on VIN [XXX] was replaced yesterday (XXX) with a Ford Motocraft filter. Today (XXX), the operator was driving the unit when they started to smell smoke in the cab. By the time they pulled over, the cab had smoke inside and th…