FordF-550 Super Duty2018Overview/ford/f-550-super-duty/2018/base/

2018 Ford F-550 Super Duty

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 F-550 Super Duty.

The 2018 Ford F-550 Super Duty is a body‑on‑frame Super Duty truck that pairs a high‑output diesel powertrain with a heavy‑duty chassis. Its standout structural rigidity and towing capability are reflected in a ten‑recall count and eight total owner complaints, most of which target the frame and body components. In the broader reliability history of the Super Duty line, this model year sits near the lower end of dependability, indicating that while the truck is built for durability, it has attracted a modest number of structural concerns.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque165 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire sizeLT225/70R19.5GOEM · verified

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F-550 Super Duty of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.5–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.50 sec — 2018 F-150 XLT SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018F-150 XLT SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.0L V85.50 sec14.00 sec395 hpRWD
2018F-150 Lariat Sport EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 2.7L Twin-Turbo V65.70 sec14.30 sec325 hp4x4
2018F-150 Raptor SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.70 sec14.50 sec450 hp4x4
2018F-150 Platinum SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.0L V85.90 sec14.40 sec395 hp4x4
2018F-150 XLT EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 2.7L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.40 sec325 hpRWD
2018F-150 Lariat FX4 EcoBoost SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 2.7L Twin-Turbo V66.30 sec14.80 sec325 hp4x4
2018F-150 Platinum SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.0L V86.30 sec14.70 sec395 hp4x4
2018F-150 Lariat EcoBoost SuperCrew (Chrome) (5.6 ft. Bed) 2.7L Twin-Turbo V67.00 sec15.50 sec325 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 165 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.5 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)34.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts165 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.68 lbs.
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque98
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueReplace Bolts: 166
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement1.472
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
132.0 ft. lbs.32 ft. lbs
2105.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
144.0 inch lbs.44 in
274.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
259.0
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Bolts 1-127.4 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1245 degrees
3Bolts 13-167.4 ft. lbs
4Turn additional 90
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Install New Studs: 18 ft. lbs.

1New Nuts18 ft. lbs
224
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 6 stages
1Bolts 1-2015 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1059 ft. lbs
3Bolts 11-20118 ft. lbs
4Bolts 1-2090 degrees
5Bolts 21-3030 ft. lbs
690.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Bolts 1-1230 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1290 degrees
3Bolts 13-2422 ft. lbs
490.0
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14.81.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAir Filter Restriction Gauge (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miEngine Breather Filter (replace)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2018 the 2018 Ford F‑550 Super Duty recorded zero complaints, zero crash or fire complaints, and a total of four top‑complaint areas (two for structure, one each for power‑train, engine & cooling, and steering/suspension). Across the decade’s federal record, complaints remained at zero from 2009 through 2014, and recalls declined from three each year (2009‑2013) to one in 2014. The 2018 year falls at the tail end of this trend, matching the zero‑complaint streak and reflecting a stable, low‑issue period for the generation. The lack of recalls in the immediate years before and after 2018 suggests no emerging safety concerns. Consequently, a 2018 model appears to be a reliable purchase within this generation’s historical context.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
11
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Structure2
Power Train1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Steering,Suspension1
Steering1
Suspension1
Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V894000EngineReported 18/12/2018

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… 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…

19V358000Exterior Lighting:Brake LightsReported 13/05/2019

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 11 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N10S12026-06-23StructureCertain 2017-2025 F-450 – F-600 Chassis Cab Upfitted with an Aerial Bucket Frame Rail…
SSM 527872024-08-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2017-2020 F-150 and 2017-2019 F-Super Duty vehicles may not successfully complete…
SAN-Vol1 I12023-06-08EquipmentThe Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information…
20N04 S22023-05-03Power TrainCertain 2017-2019 MY F250/F350 and all F450/550 vehicles Steering Linage Damper…
21B04 S42022-09-19StructureCertain 2017 through 2020 Model Year F550 Equipped with Payload Plus Upgrade Package…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific F-550 Super Duty. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 F-550 Super Duty have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.