2021 Ford F-250 SD transmission & drivetrain problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

25 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2021 Ford F-250 SD, 15% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 56,000 mi.

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints
25
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
56,000 mi

Specific components reported

Transmission & Drivetrain covers: transmission shifting, slipping, axles, driveshaft, transfer case.

ComponentComplaints
Power train24
Power train:driveline:differential unit1

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints across Ford F-250 SD years

11201513201619201782018412019762020252021212022720237202412026
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year. The 2021 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

1Under 10k10k–30k130k–60k260k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 22V087000Feb 16, 2022247,445 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 24, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain
    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 “drove” the truck 6 miles and stated they could not recreate the slip. Reported again to Mooresville Ford at ~78k, technician drove vehicle for 12 miles and documented a slight slip between 3-5 but Ford declined to take…
    NHTSA complaint #11766798 · source
  2. Filed Aug 28, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain
    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 reproduced by a independent service center as i am going to replace the transmission myself I have inspected it along with a mechanic via photos showing all the metal fragments in the…
    NHTSA complaint #11760335 · source
  3. Filed Jul 15, 2026NETransmission & Drivetrain
    This is a follow-up to my original complaint #XXX, filed XXX, regarding the failure of the 10R140 10-speed automatic transmission in my 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty (VIN: [XXX]). The transmission began exhibiting symptoms of gear slipping, jerking, delayed and harsh shifting, and pinging from the torque converter around 100,000 miles. These symptoms progressively worsened until the transmission suffered a catastrophic internal failure. As documented in the attached Sid Dillon…
    NHTSA complaint #11750552 · source
  4. Filed Mar 20, 2026NYTransmission & Drivetrain
    Transmission has shifting issues. Sometimes is don't down shift below 4th gear and when in an intersection truck barley moves then it shifts hard and can move . It also is constantly shifting between gears. It will shift form 10th to 5yh while driving.
    NHTSA complaint #11725744 · source
  5. Filed Feb 27, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    This vehicle is subject to two open safety recalls for which no repair remedy is currently available from the manufacturer: 1. Recall 24V957 (24S78) Dec 20, 2024 involves the high-pressure fuel pump and powertrain control system. The recall states the fuel pump may fail and cause extended cranking/no start or loss of motive power while driving. Loss of motive power while in traffic or while towing increases the risk of a crash. The manufacturer has stated that parts and/or…
    NHTSA complaint #11720881 · source
  6. Filed Feb 12, 2026LAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power and became inoperable due to failure of the high-pressure fuel system. This VIN is subject to an active safety recall (NHTSA 24V957 / Ford 24S78) addressing high-pressure fuel pump failure that can result in loss of motive power while driving. Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited reduced engine performance and drivability issues consistent with fuel system malfunction. No Water-In-Fuel warning or alert was displayed…
    NHTSA complaint #11717653 · source
  7. Filed Nov 30, 2025NETransmission & Drivetrain
    My 2021 Ford F-250 equipped with the 10R140 10-speed transmission suffered a sudden internal failure around ~100,000 miles. The failure symptoms and internal damage match the defect Ford acknowledged in Safety Recall 22V-256, which applies to the 2020 F-250/F-350 trucks using the same 10R140 transmission. Despite identical symptoms and the same transmission design, my VIN [XXX] ) was excluded from the recall. NHTSA’s VIN decoder also returned an “ambiguous model year”…
    NHTSA complaint #11702058 · source
  8. Filed Aug 24, 2025GADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    This car has had a recall for almost year. I’m am terrified to drive my truck especially with my kids in it. Sometimes if I press the gas trying to cross traffic, it takes a while to go. Also sometimes it won’t crank up and start. It takes awhile few tried. My back up camera doesn’t work the way it should
    NHTSA complaint #11682653 · source
  9. Filed Aug 5, 2025NCFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    Hi. I took my 2021 f250 6,7 to the ford dealership as it was having trouble starting, and just wasn’t running great. They changed the batteries, and told me it was a NOX sensor. So I went and got my truck to fix the sensors myself; because they wanted to charge me close to 3 grand. The next day I got up, lo and behold it wouldn’t crank. I had to have it towed back to the dealership. I tested codes before I had it towed, and took a video of it not cranking. The following…
    NHTSA complaint #11678590 · source
  10. Filed Jun 13, 202552,000 miKYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from under the floorboards. The contact was towing a 16-foot dump trailer with an approximate load of 16,000 lbs. during the failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stopped the vehicle and inspected the rear of the vehicle and became aware that the rear of…
    NHTSA complaint #11666822 · source
  11. Filed May 29, 2025VTTransmission & Drivetrain
    10 speed transmission causing unsafe operation. Stalling , stopping decelerated shifting.. replace with a new transmission by ford and nown14k miles in its doing the same thing. Someone will wreck because of this and it won't be good!
    NHTSA complaint #11663594 · source
  12. Filed Oct 4, 202460,000 miKYSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the mechanic informed the contact that a small amount of fluid had leaked from the front differential. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal metallic and whining sound coming from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
    NHTSA complaint #11618022 · source

Other 2021 Ford F-250 SD problem areas

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (43)
  • Suspension (18)
  • Electrical System (18)
  • Visibility & Wipers (17)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (16)
  • Steering (15)
  • Engine (14)
  • Other / Unknown (14)
  • Body & Structure (13)
  • Brakes (7)
  • Lighting (5)
  • Airbags (4)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (2)
  • Wheels & Tires (2)

Back to all 2021 Ford F-250 SD problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology