Ford's 2024 Diesel Fuel Pump Recall: How To Protect Your Truck

Understanding the December 2024 Ford Recall

In December 2024, Ford Motor Company issued a significant recall affecting nearly 300,000 trucks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, the recall covers various 2020-2022 F-Super Duty models, including F250, F350, F450, F550, F600, and 2021-2022 F-650 and F750 vehicles.

The issue? Biodiesel deposits forming on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to high-pressure fuel pump failure. Such a failure increases the risk of an accident due to loss of driving power.

My Personal Experience with the Ford Recall

As the owner of a 2022 Ford F450 affected by this recall, I received the initial notification letter from Ford. However, the letter only stated that Ford doesn't yet have a fix for the problem and that they'll send another notification when a solution is available.

I spoke with my Ford dealership technician who confirmed with Ford's technical department that no fix is currently available. Interestingly, he mentioned that in his years of working on these trucks since 2011, he's only seen one actual high-pressure fuel pump failure. He attributed most reported issues to what he calls "operator error" – primarily the use of poor-quality or contaminated fuel.

The Real Culprit: Fuel Quality

Many diesel truck owners don't realize how significantly fuel quality can affect their vehicle's performance and longevity. There are several factors that can compromise diesel fuel quality:

• Age of fuel: Diesel that sits for long periods in low-turnover stations
• Storage conditions: Condensation and contamination in fuel tanks
• Old farm tanks: Many Super Duty owners use farm diesel tanks that may have rust, sediment, or water contamination
• Inconsistent additives: Fuel stations may add unknown additives in questionable amounts

I once had an enlightening conversation with a fuel tanker driver while filling my truck. When I asked if they add any additives to the diesel, he pulled out a small white bottle and admitted he had no idea what it was or what the proper ratio should be – he was just instructed to pour it into the thousands of gallons in his tanker. This highlights the unpredictability of fuel quality at many stations.

My Solution: Premium Fuel and Quality Additives

To protect my own vehicles from these issues, I've taken some preventative measures:

1. I purchase premium diesel fuel
2. I have my own 300-gallon bulk fuel tank at my farm
3. I treat every fuel delivery with AMSOIL's Diesel 4-In-1
4. My personal fueling setup includes a high-quality filter to remove water and fine particles

While this comprehensive setup might not be practical for everyone, there's one simple step all diesel truck owners can take: use a high-quality diesel fuel additive with every fill-up.

For those who can't maintain their own fueling station, I strongly recommend using AMSOIL Diesel 4-In-1 with every fill-up. This product combines several critical elements:

• Lubricity improver (diesel injector cleaner)
• Anti-gelling additive (diesel cold flow)
• Cetane booster

Even if the base fuel quality is questionable, a premium additive like this will significantly improve its performance and help protect your high-pressure fuel pump from damage.

Conclusion

While we wait for Ford to develop an official fix for this recall, taking proactive steps to ensure you're using quality fuel can help prevent problems. The high-pressure fuel pump in modern diesel engines is a precision component that requires clean, high-quality fuel to function reliably.

Whether you're driving a Ford Super Duty affected by this recall or any modern diesel vehicle, fuel quality matters. Investing in premium diesel additives now could save you from costly repairs down the road.