SSM 2021–2025 Super Duty Rattle/Scraping Noise — 54678

[Ford Tremor Forum]

Special Service Message · SSM 54678

This is a Special Service Message, not a recall. SSMs are informational notes Ford sends dealers about a known condition or a change in procedure. They are not repair orders, and they don't by themselves change what is covered.

Published: Mar 20, 2026
Applies to: F-250: 2021–2025 · F-350: 2021–2024

Restrictions stated in the source:

• Engine: 6.8L / 7.3L engine
• Equipment: equipped with a 5 / equipped with a 6 / equipped with a 7

Also listed in the source (outside this forum's coverage): E-250 2021–2023, E-350 2021–2025, Econoline 2025–2026, F-150 2021–2026, F-450 SD 2021–2025, F-53 2021–2025, F-650 SD 2021–2025, F-750 SD 2021–2025

Summary (official text)​

Some 2021-2026 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L/5.2L engine, 2021-2025 F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped with a 6.8L/7.3L engine and 2021-2025 E-Series/F-650/F-750 vehicles equipped with a 7.3L engine may exhibit a rattle/scraping noise upon startup that may remain after the engine is running. Workshop Manual (WSM),

Sources​

• SSM 54678 (PDF, NHTSA document 11030797) — Mar 20, 2026

Details from NHTSA as of Oct 7, 2026. If NHTSA or Ford revises this notice, this post is updated and significant changes are noted in a reply. The linked documents are the authority, and a dealer can confirm whether it applies to your VIN.

Have you experienced this issue with your truck? Let us know your model year and engine, plus any diagnosis or repair details.