2021 Ford F-250 SD Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other F-250 SD years
- More complaints than other years 15th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 12 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford F-250 SD. That ranks 15th out of 32 F-250 SD model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel system, diesel (25 complaints, 15%), typically at around 100,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes. There are 12 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 166owner complaints
- 12safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Ford F-250 SD problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Diesel | 25 | 15% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 25 | 15% | 56,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 18 | 11% | 47,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 18 | 11% | 43,900 | — | — |
| Steering | 15 | 9% | 78,800 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 14 | 8% | 12 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 13 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 12 | 7% | 62,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 11 | 7% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 11 | 7% | 21,528 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 10 | 6% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 4% | 33 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 3% | 17,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 3% | 21,750 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 5 | 3% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 3% | 8,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 2% | 10,332 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 2% | 74,122 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 1% | 36,868 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1% | 42,100 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Ford F-250 SD recalls (12)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, 2021-2022 F600, and 2022 F750 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V957. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
Risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S17. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 18, 2026.
Back over prevention:software
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The 360-degree view camera system may not display a rearview image properly in certain lighting conditions.
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the image processing module software, free of charge.This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 30, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were mailed May 19, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 13, 2025.
Steering:column
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering column, and repair or replace the upper shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S94. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 23, 2025.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Back over prevention:software
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition, 2021-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.
Risk: Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S05.
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, F600, and 2021-2022 F-650, F750 vehicles. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
Risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S78.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.
Structure:frame and members:underbody shields; power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
Risk: A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 7, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.
Fuel system, diesel
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and Medium Duty F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A small void may be present in the top-center of the vehicle's underhood secondary fuel filter cap, which may progress to a pinhole over time, allowing fuel to leak from the top of the secondary fuel filter.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the primary and secondary fuel filters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S01.
Visibility:windshield:critical fasteners
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 and 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C06.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak (PE24014) — opened May 9, 2024, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly hesitated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available…
My 2021 Ford F250 super duty pickup truck experienced a catastrophic failure of the Bosch CP4 high pressure fuel pump. This has been confirmed by the dealer's service center. As a result of this part failure, metal shards were introduced into the entire fuel system. This now requires the fuel pump…
Purchased a 2021 F250 brand new from dealership and have had serviced at dealer since new. This truck is equipt with the 10r140 transmission that is a known problem. Starting at 48K miles transmission slipped from 3-5 gear. Report to Mooresville Ford and they âdroveâ the truck 6 miles and…
Transmission, temporally could be available but to replace it there is a $1500 core charge The transmission catastrophically failed, which lead to the rear wheels to lock up while driving, putting me and others at risk, had i been going faster when it did lock up No the problem has not been…
Cab trim is coming off vehicle, causing likelihood of vehicle getting water inside the body/ structure of the vehicle, which can lead to degradation and loss of structural integrity during a collision.
Other Ford F-250 SD years
← 2020 F-250 SD · 2022 F-250 SD →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 F-250 SD | 9 | 6 |
| 2025 F-250 SD | 17 | 7 |
| 2024 F-250 SD | 40 | 4 |
| 2023 F-250 SD | 43 | 16 |
| 2022 F-250 SD | 126 | 17 |
| 2021 | 166 | 12 |
| 2020 F-250 SD | 266 | 14 |
| 2019 F-250 SD | 1,165 | 11 |
| 2018 F-250 SD | 398 | 9 |
| 2017 F-250 SD | 1,155 | 14 |
| 2016 F-250 SD | 290 | 3 |
| 2015 F-250 SD | 296 | 2 |
| 2014 F-250 SD | 26 | 0 |
| 2013 F-250 SD | 21 | 0 |
| 2012 F-250 SD | 57 | 0 |
| 2011 F-250 SD | 122 | 0 |
| 2010 F-250 SD | 32 | 0 |
| 2009 F-250 SD | 23 | 0 |
| 2008 F-250 SD | 141 | 0 |
| 2007 F-250 SD | 54 | 1 |
| 2006 F-250 SD | 274 | 1 |
| 2005 F-250 SD | 295 | 3 |
| 2004 F-250 SD | 254 | 2 |
| 2003 F-250 SD | 178 | 4 |
| 2002 F-250 SD | 245 | 3 |
| 2001 F-250 SD | 288 | 2 |
| 2000 F-250 SD | 233 | 2 |
| 1999 F-250 SD | 249 | 2 |
| 1998 F-250 SD | 1 | 1 |
| 1997 F-250 SD | 39 | 2 |
| 1996 F-250 SD | 11 | 1 |
| 1995 F-250 SD | 9 | 1 |
See all Ford F-250 SD problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford F-250 SD?
Owners most often report fuel system, diesel, power train, electrical system problems. The top one, fuel system, diesel, accounts for 25 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford F-250 SD?
Yes, 12 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Ford F-250 SD a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other F-250 SD model years, the 2021 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.