Is the 2017 Ford F-550 SD reliable?

The 2017 Ford F-550 SD has 5 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Ford F-550 SD?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (1 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (1 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Ford F-550 SD?

Yes, there are 8 recall(s): STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, ENGINE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL, SEATS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Ford F-550 SD?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Ford F-550 SD is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Ford F-550 SD

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2017 Ford F-550 SD has 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 10. The most common issue is transmission problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2017 ford f-550 sd. while driving 65 mph, the rear passenger side of the vehicle began to shake, fishtail, and an echoing noise was heard from the rear end. the vehicle was taken to paso robles ford (2401 oakwood st, paso robles, ca 93446), but the failure could not be diagnos. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

TRANSMISSION

1 complaints

20%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL, AND AN ECHOING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PASO ROBLES FORD (2401 OAKWOOD ST, PASO ROBLES, CA 93446), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL, AND AN ECHOING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PASO ROBLES FORD (2401 OAKWOOD ST, PASO ROBLES, CA 93446), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (8)

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS11/12/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCrew Cab vehicles with carpet flooring. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.

Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply heat resistant tape to the carpet and its insulation, and modify the B-Pillar insulation as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S52.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Ford F-550 SD

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford F-550 SD Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2017 F-550 SD, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 5 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL, AND AN ECHOING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PASO ROBLES FORD (2401 OAKWOOD ST, PASO ROBLES, CA 93446), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL, AND AN ECHOING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PASO ROBLES FORD (2401 OAKWOOD ST, PASO ROBLES, CA 93446), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE TRUCK WILL BEGIN TO LOSE SPEED AND THE ENGINE WILL DIE, RESULTING IN DIFFICULT STEERING AND BRAKING. THE FORD DEALER HAS INDICATED THIS ISSUE IS BEING CAUSED BY WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL, ALTHOU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE TRUCK WILL BEGIN TO LOSE SPEED AND THE ENGINE WILL DIE, RESULTING IN DIFFICULT STEERING AND BRAKING. THE FORD DEALER HAS INDICATED THIS ISSUE IS BEING CAUSED BY WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL, ALTHOU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)