2021 Ford F-350 SD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
96 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
90,284 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 36 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Diesel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 96 complaints (24.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 20 | 20.8% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 5.2% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Diesel | 23 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 |
Fuel System, Diesel: 23; Engine: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 14; Electrical System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 10; Power Train: 9; Suspension: 5; Back Over Prevention: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 60 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 14 |
2021: 9; 2022: 16; 2023: 9; 2024: 11; 2025: 37; 2026: 14
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Diesel leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 20 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 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 11553939 · 2023-11-07 (November 7, 2023)
The Diesel Emission Fluid Injectors are becoming clogged due to crystalized DEF. This causes a DEF error to be generated which de-rates the vehicles speed over time from 50mph to 5 mph over a range of ~50 miles. In remote areas with desert, like where I live this can cause you to be limited to 5 mph on an 80 mph fwy which is incredibly dangerous, especially when some of the more remote fwys are 1-2 lane with limited emergency lanes for nearly 100 miles (especially over bridges). My understanding is this speed limitation is not due to the me…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11553939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11635122 · 2025-01-09 (January 9, 2025)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, he had had a failure of the diesel fuel pump prior to receiving the recall letter. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact was observing that the check engine warning was illuminated and that he was having engine misfires. The contact stated that he was also hearing abnormal noises from th…
Owner-reported narrative. 128,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11635122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11636065 · 2025-01-15 (January 15, 2025)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 55 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 40 MPH, lost automotive power, and stalled. The contact stated that the messag…
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11636065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11653947 · 2025-04-10 (April 10, 2025)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and sent shards throughout the fuel system, and the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manuf…
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11653947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11446844 · 2022-01-10 (January 10, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350 towing a boat. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, applied the brakes however crashed head-on with a 2015 Toyota Scion. The contact stated the rear seats failed to lockdown. The contact had the tools under the seat and was released into the vehicle during the crash. The air bags deployed. The passenger sustained broken ribs, right ankle sprain or fractured, and the seatbelt bruised the chest. The driver struck the steering wheel and sustained chest pains, lower, mid, and upper back issues, and neck injuri…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11446844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11597337 · 2024-06-27 (June 27, 2024)
On my 21 f350 while towing a 36 foot gooseneck unloaded I noticed a burning wire smell. And I realized I had no more trailer brakes. After diagnosis of the system I found the factory trailer brake controller had melted on the inside. Causing it to loose braking.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11597337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429268 · 2021-08-16 (August 16, 2021)
Electronic tailgate on the 2021 Ford F-350 is opening on its own while driving. Doesn't matter the speed...its happened at 10 mph and at 60 mph. This is a critical issue since it is damaging RVs. My latest occurrence is noted in the Additional Details section, but it has now happened three (3) times since I purchased brand new with 6 miles on it...now has about 10,900 miles. There was a recall on model years 2019 and prior for this very symptom caused by moisture getting into the wiring harness.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431466 · 2021-09-02 (September 2, 2021)
An unknown electrical issue possibly sensor, module or wiring related causes several faults in the system and they appear on the dash. These faults disable many safety features built in to the vehicle and a few convenience features as well. The faults displayed are: "pre-collision assist not available", "hill start assist warning", "service advance trac" and "drive mode not available" When this happens randomly the vehicle will stop producing forward acceleration and slow down very quickly as if I took my foot off the accelerator. When this occ…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440834 · 2021-11-17 (November 17, 2021)
This truck on a daily basis, shuts down with out warning. Check engine light comes on some time, some times get P0191, P0171 and other codes dealing with fuel rail and pressure. Vehicle had less than 10000 miles when started. Dealer don't know what to do. Shuts off when you are in a turn and leaves you with out steering, and shuts off when coming to a stop sign, or trying to park. Fuel filters have been changed 2 times in 2 months. Truck is not safe to drive because it keeps surging and cutting off. Idle speed varies as much as 250 rpm when sit…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11535328 · 2023-07-30 (July 30, 2023)
Transmission shifts erratically and sometimes completely doesn’t work. Has left me in traffic with no ability to negotiate vehicle and was almost hit on multiple occasions. There is a recall on vehicles built before 8-20 Kentucky but my vehicle build date is 11-20. The local dealer said nothing they can do until my 11-20 Kentucky build date truck is included. No offer of loaner and truck is NOT SAFE TO DRIVE !!!!! This has left me without.... transportation..... faith in Ford trucks Also. ..... same vehicle has the 7.3 ( Godzilla ). Dead mis…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11535328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11600089 · 2024-07-08 (July 8, 2024)
Transmission lunges forward at times even when putting into park position and starting vehicle. Also, when driving down the road vehicle jerks or bucks and throws you forward. Periodically, there is a complete loss of transmission function then you hear large bang and truck jerks forward. This has been reported to Fenton Ford Camden, NY several times and they cannot seem to find issue and stated if it doesnt duplicate happening when they have vehicle there is nothing they can do about it. This has become a serious safety concern when truck jerk…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11600089 at NHTSA ↗