WenmarOpen by Wenmar Pro

Service bulletin 21B04-S3

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
TypeService bulletin
NHTSA id10210901
Published by NHTSA2022-05-04
Manufacturer's number21B04-S3
Manufacturer's date2022-04-08
NHTSA componentSTRUCTURE

NHTSA's summary

Certain 2017 through 2020 Model Year F550 Equipped with Payload Plus Upgrade Package-Frame Rail Cracks: 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 fame rail behind the cab.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Body and frame

Vehicles listed
FORD F-550 SD2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
20210852021-02-19. Structure
19V8800002019-12-11. SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER; STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
20175022017-10-18. Structure
17V3310002017-05-22. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
25N10S12026-07-01. Other. Certain 2017-2025 F-450 – F-600 Chassis Cab Upfitted with an Aerial Bucket Frame Rail Crack
SSM 546012026-02-27. Service bulletin. Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
SSM 543262025-10-28. Service bulletin. Some 2018-2025 F-150 and 2018-2026 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a tailgate step may exhibit a step assembly that binds/will not open or opens/pops up while driving. This could be due to an incorrect adjustment of the tailgate step assembly. Before replacing any components for this concern, follow the revised Tailgate Step Adjustment procedure in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-04.
SSM 515362023-05-04. Service bulletin. For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN.
SSM 512632023-01-06. Service bulletin. Some 2015-2023 F-150, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles may exhibit dust ingress into the cabin through the doors or air extractors. This may be due to the climate control system being in recirculation mode as a result of the recirculation button being on or automatic strategies for heating/cooling efficiency. To minimize dust ingress when driving in off-road or secondary road conditions, make sure that all doors and windows are fully closed and the climate control system is switched to defrost on and the instrument panel and footwell air vents are switched to off. Temperature and fan settings may be adjusted as desired. Alternatively, max defrost can be activated which will adjust all settings automatically. Operating in defrost mode will keep constant air flow through the rear air extractors and other small areas, helping minimize dust ingress.
SSM 511852022-11-30. Service bulletin. Some 2015-2022 F-150 and 2017-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles may experience issues with the tailgate center step moulding. If there is an issue with the center molding (warped, damaged condition, loose, or if the molding is missing), the trim cover is now available separately. It is no longer necessary to replace the entire rear step assembly (402A48).
21B04 S42022-10-05. Service bulletin. 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
21M05-S12022-07-28. Service bulletin. Certain 2017-2022 Model Year Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with a Power Release Tailgate - Unintended Tailgate Opening. In the affected vehicles, some customers report experiencing an unintended tailgate opening and may have previously serviced their vehicle for this concern. Ford had developed an enhanced remedy for customers who may want this enhanced repair performed n their vehicle.
SSM 508562022-06-29. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with power tailgate release may exhibit a perceived inoperative power tailgate latch release function. This may be due to a change to the power tailgate release strategy after the body control module (BCM) has received a software update or the BCM has been replaced. When using the power tailgate release switch in the instrument panel, release switch on the tailgate, or the remote keyless entry (RKE) fob, the power tailgate release switch must be pressed 2 times (2x) within 3 seconds with the transmission in Park for the tailgate to release. If the power tailgate release is still inoperative, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-14 for normal diagnostics.
21B04-S22022-04-04. Service bulletin. 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.