2021 Ford F-250 SD: complaints, problems and recalls

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 I RESCINDED MY PURCHASE AGREEMENT DUE TO THIS AS I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.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 ↗

AUTOMATIC TAIL GATE OPENING WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET.

Owner-reported narrative. 56 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395326 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V090000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRADLEY FORD OF LAKE HAVASU CITY (1690 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ 86403, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. 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…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11414641 at NHTSA ↗

PURCHASED A NEW TRUCK AND IT HAD A OPEN RECALL. I FOUND OUT WHEN I INSTALLED FIRST PASS. IT POPPED UP IN MESSAGE. WE ALSO HAD DAMAGE ON TRUCK AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT. WE HAD TO TURN IN INSURANCE. THEY SOLD 3 OTHER TRUCKS SAME TIME WITH OPEN RECALL.

Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415644 at NHTSA ↗

The truck tailgate opened by itself 4 times since receiving the vehicle (5 month period). It happened both while stopped and while driving. This put drivers behind me at risk for cargo spilling out, though luckily that did not happen. The last incident scratched and dented the lift gate as it fell upon an attached bicycle rack in its raised storage position. I have not yet reported it to the dealer and plan to do so when I return from a trip. No messages on the dash were noticed. The problem appeared during the first month of use, but I ass…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419221 at NHTSA ↗

The truck has has a vibration from the rear of the vehicle coming from either the drive shaft or within the rear end assembly. The vibration begins at 67 mph and goes away at 70 mph, comes back at 72 mph and goes away at 75 mph and then comes back at 77 mph. I have not driven the truck beyond the third vibration speed. My concern is that something mechanical has a problem and there is no way to determine when and to what degree it will fail. Extensive testing has been done by the Ford Dealership with the assistance of Ford technical and the…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433349 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number 21V090000 (Visibility). The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer twice and he was informed each time that the remedy might cause the windshield to break during the repair. The contact was also informed that he would be responsible for the cost of a new windshield if the windshield was cracked during the repair. The contact declined the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435995 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

Reported: 2021-02-18 (February 18, 2021)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2022-01-14 (January 14, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2022-02-16 (February 16, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2022-04-14 (April 14, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-06-09 (June 9, 2023)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2024-12-20 (December 20, 2024)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2025-01-31 (January 31, 2025)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2025-06-27 (June 27, 2025)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2025-07-07 (July 7, 2025)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2025-09-19 (September 19, 2025)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2025-10-10 (October 10, 2025)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2026-03-17 (March 17, 2026)

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.

Consequence: 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.