FordF-550 Super Duty2020Overview/ford/f-550-super-duty/2020/base/

2020 Ford F-550 Super Duty

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 F-550 Super Duty.

The 2020 Ford F‑550 Super Duty is a heavy‑duty truck built on Ford’s Super Duty platform and equipped with a diesel powertrain, positioning it as a work‑focused chassis cab for commercial applications. While the model benefits from the robust engineering typical of the F‑Series, it recorded a modest 16 owner‑reported complaints, with the fuel‑system diesel area emerging as the most frequent issue, and it was subject to two recalls during its production run. As the 2020 iteration sits in the middle of the F‑550’s recent model cycle, its relatively low complaint count and limited recall history suggest a steady reliability record that researchers can view as a baseline for assessing incremental improvements in subsequent years.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

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.

5.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2020 F-150 Raptor SuperCrew (5'7.1" Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020F-150 Raptor SuperCrew (5'7.1" Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.30 sec14.00 sec450 hp4x4
2019F-150 Limited SuperCrew (5'7.1" Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.10 sec13.70 sec450 hp4x4
2019F-150 Raptor SuperCrew (5'7.1" Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.10 sec13.90 sec450 hp4x4
2019F-150 Limited SuperCrew (5'7.1" Bed)(93 octane) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.30 sec14.00 sec450 hp4x4
2019F-150 Limited SuperCrew (5'7.1" Bed)(87 octane) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec450 hp4x4
2019F-150 Lariat FX4 Power Stroke SuperCrew (5'7.1" Bed) 3.0L Turbo Diesel V67.90 sec16.10 sec250 hp4x4
2019F-150 XL SuperCrew (5'7.1" Bed) 3.3L V67.90 sec16.10 sec290 hp4x4
2021F-150 Raptor SuperCrew (37 Performance Pack) (5'7.1" Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec14.00 sec450 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.68 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.68 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 35.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 105°15 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 74.044 in
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-2015 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-489 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miAir Filter Restriction Gauge (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 2009–2014 federal record shows a consistent pattern: zero owner complaints logged for any of those model years, with recalls holding steady at three per year from 2009 to 2013 before dropping to one in 2014. No investigations or TSBs were reported across that entire span. In contrast, the 2020 model year—sitting well beyond the provided data—breaks the earlier complaint-free trend with a cluster of issues, led by four Fuel System, Diesel complaints, two each for Power Train and Suspension, and one additional Fuel/Propulsion System complaint, along with a single fire incident. While the earlier years suggest a period of low reported owner dissatisfaction, the 2020 data indicates a notable emergence of diesel fuel system concerns and a fire report, though the root cause is not specified in the available numbers. Given this, the 2020 F-550 Super Duty appears to carry more documented risk than the 2009–2014 models, making it a less compelling choice based on the federal record alone.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
12
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
16
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 16 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Diesel4
Power Train2
Suspension2
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Fuel System, Diesel,Engine1
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine1
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Suspension,Structure,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V633000Seats:Front Assembly:ReclinerReported 28/08/2019

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… 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…

20V099000Power Train:Driveline:Differential UnitReported 21/02/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-550 and 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it, or replace the rear axle as necessary, free of charge. The recall began…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 12 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N10S12026-06-23StructureCertain 2017-2025 F-450 – F-600 Chassis Cab Upfitted with an Aerial Bucket Frame Rail…
SAN-Vol1 I12023-06-08EquipmentThe Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information…
21B04 S42022-09-19StructureCertain 2017 through 2020 Model Year F550 Equipped with Payload Plus Upgrade Package…
21B04-S12021-10-07Equipment Adaptive/MobilityCertain 2017 through 2020 Model Year F550 Equipped with Payload Plus Upgrade Package…
21B042021-09-24StructureCertain 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 2020 F-550 Super Duty have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.