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U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Ford F-250 SD problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

163 owner complaints analyzed

12 distinct recall campaigns

45,950 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 48 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Diesel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 163 complaints (15.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Fuel system concerns169.8%
Transmission and shifting159.2%
Braking behavior159.2%
Steering behavior127.4%
Engine operation84.9%
Electrical and battery issues84.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Fuel System, Diesel
25
Power Train
23
Suspension
17
Steering
15
Unknown Or Other
14
Fuel/Propulsion System
12
Electrical System
11
Engine
11
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Fuel System, Diesel25
Power Train23
Suspension17
Steering15
Unknown Or Other14
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Electrical System11
Engine11

Fuel System, Diesel: 25; Power Train: 23; Suspension: 17; Steering: 15; Unknown Or Other: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Electrical System: 11; Engine: 11

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
13
25,000 to 49,999
13
50,000 to 74,999
9
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
9
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00013
25,000 to 49,99913
50,000 to 74,9999
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9999
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 115 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2021
11
2022
21
2023
27
2024
27
2025
46
2026
31
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
202111
202221
202327
202427
202546
202631

2021: 11; 2022: 21; 2023: 27; 2024: 27; 2025: 46; 2026: 31

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Diesel leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11552725 · 2023-10-30 (October 30, 2023)

A 26000 miles the cp4 fuel pump failed and stranded my family (on the busiest road) in Colorado while pulling a trailer. This is a known problem, with multiple manufactures, for more than a few years. Yet here we are!?

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11552725 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11591637 · 2024-05-30 (May 30, 2024)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and caused the vehicle to go into IDLE Mode before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted and taken to a dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the diesel fluid injector was leaking, and the exhaust system needed to be replaced. Shortly afterward the failure reoccurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer however, no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was made aw…

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11591637 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11437482 · 2021-10-20 (October 20, 2021)

The 10-Speed Automatic Transmission shifts hard and randomly. Leaving a stop sign, at any rate of speed, causes slippage in the shifting. Sometimes it'll shift too slowly, resulting in a jerky motion of the vehicle. Sometimes when on the highway, usually traveling at 68mph (cruise control), the vehicle will randomly jump gears when it's not necessary. Recently while getting up to speed we heard a large grinding noise shifting into 4th gear. The vehicle, otherwise, runs great. The transmission leaves alot to be desired and I do not have any con…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11437482 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11464440 · 2022-05-13 (May 13, 2022)

Transmission hard shifting from 1-3 and hard shifting down from 10-8.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11464440 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11387258 · 2021-01-08 (January 8, 2021)

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK AND AS I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, THE PIN HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE LINKAGE FELL OUT BECAUSE A CIRCLIP WAS NOT INSTALLED TO HOLD IT IN. I WAS COASTING INTO A BUSY HIGHWAY SO I WAS ABLE TO THINK QUICKLY AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, HAD I NOT DONE THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. AT THAT TIME A SERVICE TECH WAS CALLED OUTAND TOOK THE TRUCK INTO SERVICE. I RESCINDED MY PURCHASE AGREEMENT DUE TO THIS AS I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. IT MAKES ME WONDER IF MORE ARE OUT THERE LIKE THAT. VIN NUMBER …

Owner-reported narrative. 33 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387258 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11441889 · 2021-11-28 (November 28, 2021)

Speed Control: During night driving on 11/25/2021 at 65 mpg on I-80, I released my foot from the accelerator to slowdown, BUT the F-250 failed to slow down. Upon applying the brakes, the truck slowed (a message on the dash stated I applied the brakes), BUT, upon releasing the brakes, the truck ACCELERATED. I repeated the braking solution, until I found a safe pullover. I shut the truck off & put the headlights to off from auto. Problem did not repeat, but the Blind Spot, Cross Traffic, & Airbag Faults continued as long as I had the headlights …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441889 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11442401 · 2021-12-02 (December 2, 2021)

The steering wheel started shaking violently, fighting with me for control. Observers said my tires looked as though they where coming off. While this was occurring the vehicle drifted toward the center lane as if the alignment was out. Dealership stated it was called Death wobble a known issue on F-250's but it was not a recall

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442401 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11473363 · 2022-07-11 (July 11, 2022)

When traveling on the highway at speeds above 65 mph, a slight bump in the road would take control over the steering wheel and cause the steering wheel and whole truck to shake uncontrollably. Braking would only prolong the shake. Only by slowing down to 45mph or lower, by taking foot off the gas, would the shaking stop. The process repeats at the next uneven pavement it encounters. I have multiple videos that I can share, but this site will not let me upload. This felt very unsafe and luckily I was the only car on the road at the time or the o…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473363 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11612235 · 2024-09-03 (September 3, 2024)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump and module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11612235 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11501747 · 2023-01-14 (January 14, 2023)

This is what happen Thursday Night to my Truck sitting in my drive way. My entire wiring harness on the drivers side was under water.. I drove it to the dealership and it was still pouring water from the rear plugs. I have rubber floor mats and wouldn't have even noticed the issue if I didn't pull them to clean the truck. There are tons of truck having this issue. to fix it properly the bed has to be taken off the truck. The insurance company's total cars for electrical being covered in water. This is a recall issue Ford Surly needs to a…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501747 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11521203 · 2023-05-09 (May 9, 2023)

During towing of 10,000lb trailer, the trailer brakes cut out during heavy braking and the dash displayed "wiring fault". Also, sometimes during normal braking, the trailer brakes will cut in and out, if you watch the gain meter during these episodes, the gain meter will also cut in and out. My and my families safety was definitely put at risk and now we were fully dependent on only the truck brakes to stop our vehicle and trailer. The dealer checked the vehicle on 5/9/23 and say there is nothing wrong with the truck. There is an active safety…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521203 at NHTSA ↗