15 recalls across 11 model years
The Ford F-650 SD has 15 recalls spanning 2011 through 2025, with the most serious recent issue being a 2025 model year tie rod defect where ball studs in the front axle assembly can break and cause a complete loss of steering control.
The 2025 model year also has a separate transmission concern where the park pawl may not fully engage, allowing the vehicle to roll away when left in Park. On 2023 models, the parking brake lever can release on its own without pressing the release button, also creating a rollaway risk.
Going back to the 2021 model year, trucks equipped with the 7.3L gasoline engine were built without underbody heat shields, which allows the cabin floor and seat attachment points to reach temperatures that can burn skin on contact in certain driving conditions. The 2018 model year carries several issues: brake circuit hose fittings can corrode prematurely and leak brake fluid, reducing stopping power; the gear shift lever can falsely indicate Park when the transmission is actually in another gear; and the parking brake cable may not hold the vehicle on grades when the transmission is not in Park. A separate 2018 recall affects vehicles that were upfitted as emergency vehicles, where Whelen brake lights can illuminate even when the brake pedal is not pressed, potentially confusing other drivers.
The 2016 model year has two concerns: rear brake hoses on air-suspension-equipped trucks can chafe against the rear axle housing and develop an air leak that reduces rear braking, and some trucks were built with an incorrect steering column that includes a Park position the transmission was not designed to use, which can fracture the park pawl and allow unexpected movement. On 2015 models, a castellated nut on certain Spicer steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to disconnect from the steering knuckle and cause loss of steering at low speeds. The 2015-2016 model years share a parking brake cable connector clip that can fail and allow the vehicle to roll.
The 2011-2015 model years have a seatbelt anchor issue on trucks equipped with a 70% fixed bench passenger seat, where the floor attachment points were installed in the wrong location and may not restrain an occupant properly in a crash. The 2011 model year specifically has a steering arm attachment issue on trucks with a Meritor MFS08 front steer axle, where bolts can loosen and allow the steering arm to separate, causing loss of steering control.
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Latest: Sep 2017
Top 6 of 6 categories across FORD F-650 SD
| Component | Recalls | Share | Critical | High | Medium | Low | Informational |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 7 | 47% | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission | 3 | 20% | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 13% | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body & Latches | 1 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 7% | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 7% | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Component categories are grouped from raw recall data and may not match manufacturer terminology exactly.