Certain 2017 through 2020 Model Year F550 Equipped with Payload Plus Upgrade Package Frame Rail Crack Program Terms: Program will be extended for an additional year; Urgency/Expiration Date: Program will be extended for an additional year Owner Refunds: Refunds have been extended to December 31, 2022, for owner paid repairs completed prior to owner notification date
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Ford F-550 body problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Ford F-550 have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of November 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 F-550 (this page) | 3 |
| 2019 F-550 | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 body complaints filed for the 2017 Ford F-550, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners are still filing on this — the most recent NHTSA body complaint for this vehicle was logged 39 days ago.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Certain 2017 through 2020 Model Year F550 Equipped with Payload Plus Upgrade Package Frame Rail Crack REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT ⢠Technical Instructions: Updated to clarify amount of use for Rotobroach cutter.⢠Attachment V: Updated list of trucks that will not require bracket installation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2017 through 2020 Model Year F550 Equipped with Payload Plus Upgrade Package ;Frame Rail Crack In some of the affected vehicles certain second unit body (SUB) upfits could cause stress points on the frame rail. Over time this stress could cause a crack in the frame rail behind the cab.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2018 Model Year Expedition and Navigator Vehicles Equipped With R-1234yf Refrigerant - Special R-1234yf Refrigerant Service Information. Certain 2015-2018 Model Year F-150 and 2017-2018 Model Year F-250-F-550 - Vehicles - Door Latch Freezing Concerns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2018 F-150, 2017-2018 F-Super Duty, 2018 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a vista roof opening panel may exhibit binding while opening or closing of the movable glass panel. The roof opening panel glass brackets are available for service. Both brackets must be replaced, FL3Z-1651070-A right side and FL3Z-1651071-A left side. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-17 for removal and installation procedure. For claiming, use causal part 1651070 and applicable labor operations in section 12 of the service labor time standards (SLTS) manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-550. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the brake dust cover, but the sound persisted. The vehicle was taken to EarthRoamer (5073 Silver Peak Ave, Dacono, CO 80514), who replaced the suspension bushing and shock mount; however, the failure…
See attached letter
The front cab over is getting loose and separating worried it will fall off, have huge water leak coming into the cab from the top through auxiliary buttons and driver side. Have been reading forums and lots of people have the same issues this is very concerning that it's not being taken seriously.
Had body trouble with your 2017 Ford F-550?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2017 Ford F-550?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 70,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Ford/F-550.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.