CARFOCALvehicle research
Research CarsCompareRankingsArticles
  1. Home›
  2. Manufacturers›
  3. Ford›
  4. F-550›
  5. 2011›
  6. Complaints

2011 Ford F-550 Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20264 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson

Complaint Summary

The 2011 Ford F-550 has 17 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve engine and fuel system, diesel.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

8.4/ 10

Based on 17 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ENGINE

6 35.3%

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

2 11.8%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 11.8%

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 5.9%

EQUIPMENT

1 5.9%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 35.3% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 10 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

Subscribe to Recall Alerts

Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2011 Ford F-550.

Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.

Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2011 Ford F-550

The 2011 Ford F-550 has 17 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 35% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2011 Ford F-550 are ENGINE (6), FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL (2), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 13 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 Ford F-550?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2012 F-550 complaints2013 F-550 complaints2016 F-550 complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 10 of 10 systems

ENGINE

6 Reports35% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

FORD HAS A TSB ON A CYLINDER #5 GLOWPLUG FAILURE THAT CAUSES ENGINE FAILURE. COINCIDENTALLY, THEIR WARRANTY ON A 6.7 DIESEL IS TO 100,000 MILES. MINE FAILED AT 104,000. FORD IS NOT COVERING IT. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME $13,000. THE ITEM SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

6/4/2014

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V535000 (ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. MA 07/30/15 UPDATED 9/19/2017*CN

1/22/2015

4 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

2 Reports12% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

FUEL TANK IS RUSTED FROM INSIDE . CLOGS FILTERS AND SYSTEM . *TR

5/6/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE FUEL TANK SHED INTO THE FUEL TANK AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE CLEANED. TWO YEARS LATER, AFTER THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WOULD REQUIRE THE SAME REVISIONS AS BEFORE; HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE PERFORMED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ UPDATED 02/11/16.*JB

11/10/2015

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 Reports12% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-550. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE LOW POWER WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL LINE AND THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,633. UPDATED 11/06/15*LJ *CN

8/25/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO LININGS IN THE INTERNAL PART OF THE VEHICLE WHICH BOTH UNEXPECTEDLY DETACHED AND CONTAMINATED THE FUEL IN FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH TOOK THREE MONTHS. THE DIAGNOSIS RESULTS WAS CONTAMINATION FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *BF*JB

4/22/2020

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

[XXX] THIS IS A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WITH A DOT REGISTRATION AS A GROSS WEIGHT VEHICLE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY SPECIAL ENDORSEMENTS A DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE MUST HAVE, IF ANY, IN ORDER TO DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER STATED HE WAS NOT LICENSED TO DRIVE IT. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

12/14/2013

EQUIPMENT

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THIS COMPLAINT IS A FOLLOW-UP TO YOUR REF# 521328. IT CONCERNS AN UN-DELIVERED EMERGENCY VEHICLE THAT PLASTISCOL COMPOSITES, THAT IS BEING PAID WITH FEMA FUNDS UNDER A FEDERAL GRANT AND IS TRYING TO FORCE A VIBRATING DRIVE LINE PROBLEM VEHICLE TO OTHER COMPANIES WITHOUT TELLING THEM. THE VEHICLE IS NOW OVER 930 DAYS LATE, DUE TO POORLY ENGINEERING THE DRIVE LINE AFTER INSTALLING A PTO IN THE DRIVE LINE TO POWER THE REAR MOUNTED PUMP. ON NUMEROUS OCCASION, PLASTISOL WORKERS BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO BE INSPECTED FOR ACCEPTANCE, BUT ON EACH OCCASION, NUMEROUS DEFECTS WERE NOTED INCLUDING COLD WELDS, LOOSE PARTS POOR ASSEMBLY. AND THE MOST SERIOUS, WAS THE DRIVE LINE VIBRATION THAT BEGAN AT 40 MPH AND BECAME WORSE. PLASTISOL WORKERS ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE NO ENGINEER ASSISTING THEM TO RESOLVED THE PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE IS EQUIVALENT TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN # 10V092000. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS VEHICLE AND DETERMINE IF THE DRIVE LINE VIBRATION IS SAFE AND THE VEHICLE IS ROAD WORTHY AND WON'T CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE UNIVERSAL JOINTS AND A CRASH , WHICH COULD JEOPARDIZE THE LIVES OF THE FIREMEN OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INSPECT ALL WELDS OF THE FABRICATED CROSS MEMBER . THE PTO IS ATTACHED TO AND DETERMINE IF THEY ARE WITHIN INDUSTRY STANDARDS OR POORLY WELDED AND UNSAFE. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE ALL TRUCKS PRODUCED BY PLASTISOL...UPDATED 12/17/13 *BF

12/18/2013

PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THIS COMPLAINT IS A FOLLOW-UP TO YOUR REF# 521328. IT CONCERNS AN UN-DELIVERED EMERGENCY VEHICLE THAT PLASTISCOL COMPOSITES, THAT IS BEING PAID WITH FEMA FUNDS UNDER A FEDERAL GRANT AND IS TRYING TO FORCE A VIBRATING DRIVE LINE PROBLEM VEHICLE TO OTHER COMPANIES WITHOUT TELLING THEM. THE VEHICLE IS NOW OVER 930 DAYS LATE, DUE TO POORLY ENGINEERING THE DRIVE LINE AFTER INSTALLING A PTO IN THE DRIVE LINE TO POWER THE REAR MOUNTED PUMP. ON NUMEROUS OCCASION, PLASTISOL WORKERS BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO BE INSPECTED FOR ACCEPTANCE, BUT ON EACH OCCASION, NUMEROUS DEFECTS WERE NOTED INCLUDING COLD WELDS, LOOSE PARTS POOR ASSEMBLY. AND THE MOST SERIOUS, WAS THE DRIVE LINE VIBRATION THAT BEGAN AT 40 MPH AND BECAME WORSE. PLASTISOL WORKERS ADMITTED THAT THEY HAVE NO ENGINEER ASSISTING THEM TO RESOLVED THE PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE IS EQUIVALENT TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN # 10V092000. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS VEHICLE AND DETERMINE IF THE DRIVE LINE VIBRATION IS SAFE AND THE VEHICLE IS ROAD WORTHY AND WON'T CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE UNIVERSAL JOINTS AND A CRASH , WHICH COULD JEOPARDIZE THE LIVES OF THE FIREMEN OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INSPECT ALL WELDS OF THE FABRICATED CROSS MEMBER . THE PTO IS ATTACHED TO AND DETERMINE IF THEY ARE WITHIN INDUSTRY STANDARDS OR POORLY WELDED AND UNSAFE. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE ALL TRUCKS PRODUCED BY PLASTISOL...UPDATED 12/17/13 *BF

12/18/2013

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERIOR LINING OF THE FUEL TANK SHED INTO THE FUEL TANK AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE CLEANED. TWO YEARS LATER, AFTER THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WOULD REQUIRE THE SAME REVISIONS AS BEFORE; HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE PERFORMED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ UPDATED 02/11/16.*JB

11/10/2015

POWER TRAIN

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE HAVE HAD THE FRONT END/DRIVE SHAFT/NEW TIRES/WHEELS EITHER REPLACED OR GONE THROUGH. NOTHING HAS IMPROVED.

1/13/2021

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE HAVE HAD THE FRONT END/DRIVE SHAFT/NEW TIRES/WHEELS EITHER REPLACED OR GONE THROUGH. NOTHING HAS IMPROVED.

1/13/2021

STEERING

1 Report6% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TRUCK WILL SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE HAVE HAD THE FRONT END/DRIVE SHAFT/NEW TIRES/WHEELS EITHER REPLACED OR GONE THROUGH. NOTHING HAS IMPROVED.

1/13/2021

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 Ford F-550?

The most reported complaint category for the 2011 Ford F-550 is ENGINE, with 6 owner reports. That is about 35% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2011 Ford F-550 a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 13 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 Ford F-550?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2011 Ford F-550 severe?

13 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Ford F-550: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
17
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

We may earn a commission via links on this page.

In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

Buyer guideMaintenance guideRecall reportTuning guide

Get recall and ownership alerts for the 2011 Ford F-550

Get our free model-year alerts and ownership updates.

Sign Up

We may earn a commission if you buy parts through our links. Learn more.

Carfocal

Automotive Research

Real data on vehicle reliability, safety, and ownership costs.

  • Used Car Research
  • Reliability Rankings
  • Buying Guides

  • Data Sources & Methodology
  • Editorial Standards
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Carfocal · All Rights Reserved