2021 Ford F-450 SD problems, complaints & recalls

2021 Ford F-450 SD recalls (12)

• Recall 26V158000Mar 17, 20269,839 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 25V686000Oct 10, 2025291,901 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

  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 driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 25V626000Sep 19, 2025115,539 vehicles
  STEERING:COLUMN

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 25V455000Jul 7, 2025850,318 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 25V048000Jan 31, 202591,580 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 24V957000Dec 20, 2024295,449 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 23V420000Jun 9, 2023691,133 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 22V250000Apr 14, 2022652,996 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 22V013000Jan 14, 202219,697 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 21V390000May 25, 202117,616 vehiclesDo not drive
  POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels and front wheel hub extenders. The front wheel hub extenders may be improperly attached to the front rotor hub assemblies, which could result in separation of the wheels and wheel extenders from the vehicle.

  Risk: A detached wheel and wheel extender can increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Owners are instructed not to drive their vehicles until the torque of the wheel extender nuts can be verified. Dealers will inspect and tighten the front wheel hub extender nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S26.

• Recall 21V379000May 24, 20211,796 vehicles
  TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Super Duty F-350 and F-450 vehicles equipped with a fifth wheel left-hand mounting bracket that may be cracked.

  Risk: A cracked mounting bracket could result in the fifth wheel detaching from the vehicle while towing, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect the mounting bracket, and replace the bracket if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S23.

• Recall 21V090000Feb 18, 202179,017 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• PE24014Opened May 9, 2024Open

  Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak

  The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that …

• RQ21001Opened Jan 15, 2021Closed Jan 10, 2024

  Power Tailgate Release Systems

  In January 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ21-001) to assess allegations of post-recall remedy uncommanded tailgate openings in model year (MY) 2017-2019 F-250/350/450 Ford trucks. Besides the recall remedy launched in January 2020, Ford also implemented a production update in November 2019.  At the time of the RQ opening, ODI had received eleven (11) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs). ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Ford in February 2021. In numerous meetings after receiving their IR response, Ford highlighted the drop in claims since the rec…

Recent 2021 Ford F-450 SD complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 16, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Unknown. This vehicle when driving and come to a complete stop will jerk forward. It has been to 2 different ford dealerships to assist with this issue and has been "covered" under transmission control module recall and reprogrammed as per their invoices, but has not fixed the issue. It is currently at the 2nd dealership while they are furthering this inspection.

   NHTSA complaint #11764763 · source
2. Filed Jun 9, 2026MIOther / Unknown

   Failure of a $70 thermocouple sensor in the air conditioning unit requires replacement of the entire evaporative cooler, which requires removal and reinstallation of the entire dash from the vehicle. This should be a part serviceable without such extensive work.

   NHTSA complaint #11742943 · source
3. Filed Sep 15, 2025GAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11687332 · source
4. Filed Sep 15, 202578,000 miMOFireTowedBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owned a 2021 Ford F-450 Super Duty. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on an 8 percent decline and pulling a trailer, the vehicle slightly responded upon depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the transmission failed to downshift and was stuck in 10th gear. The contact pumped the brakes; however, the failure persisted. The contact drove into the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle was able to stop. The contact noticed smoke, and upon inspecting…

   NHTSA complaint #11687296 · source
5. Filed Jul 28, 2025FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle shut down while in motion on highway which caused for brakes and steering to fail. Vehicle was towed to sun state ford dealership where they did a diagnosis. They found excessive amounts of metal in the high pressure fuel system. They had to replace the entire fuel system plus replaced all injectors which now has an open invoice of $15,923.97. After research we found out that there is a recall on the cp4 which is the manufactire recall number 24s78 and nhtsa recall…

   NHTSA complaint #11676722 · source
6. Filed Jul 16, 2025ALBrakesElectrical System

   My 2021 Ford F 450 will not actuate the electric over hydraulic brakes on my gooseneck trailer. I was hauling my tractor to one of my hay fields when a car pulled out in front me. I apply my foot to the brake pedal and the truck and trailer did not slow down liked it use to and I almost rear ended the vehicle that pulled out in front of me. After this I try to apply just the trailer brakes using the brake actuator on the dash and the trailer brakes never operated. I check my…

   NHTSA complaint #11673852 · source
7. Filed Feb 21, 20252,763 miNJTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with a feature known as neutral idle control (NIC), where the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral(N) while at a complete stop to reduce fuel consumption. The contact stated that while at a stop with the feature engaged, the vehicle abruptly jerked, or hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where…

   NHTSA complaint #11644090 · source
8. Filed Jan 2, 2025FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   High pressure fuel pump failed while driving towing a trailer. Was able to pull over safely, entire fuel system needs to be replaced. Unknown if anything else was damaged yet. Vehicle is still in for repairs, estimate is between 9-13k parts and labor. I hope it didn't destroy the entire engine.

   NHTSA complaint #11633674 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. 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