2021 Ford F-450 SD: complaints, problems and recalls

POWER TAILGATE SYSTEM FAULT WARNING HAS BEEN COMING ON ND OD. AND TAIL GATE OPENED UN COMMANDED AND DAMAGED TAILGATE AND HORSE TRAILER. IT WAS POURING RAIN AND GOING LES THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR AND TURNING. THIS STARTED ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. TRUCK ONLY HAS APROX 1000 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DCH FORD IN THOUSAND OAKS CALIFORNIA.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11400334 at NHTSA ↗

THE TAILGATE SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT STARTED COMING ON ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. HAS BEEN ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES SINCE. THE TALGATE YESTERDAY OPENED UN COMMANDED AND DAMAGED THE TAILGATE AND HORSE TRAILER IT WAS CONNECTED TO. NOTE I FILLED ONE OF THESE I=OUT A MUNTE AGO BUT HAD THE WRONG VIN! SORRY!

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11400338 at NHTSA ↗

TAILGATE OPENED UNINTENDED CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO RAIL COVER AND TAILGATE.

Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 11403417 at NHTSA ↗

While towing my gooseneck horse trailer the tailgate opened randomly. I had towed for about 20 miles and got off the freeway and was driving through a parking lot when it happened. When I turned the tailgate struck the horse trailer causing body parts to fall in the roadway which could be dangerous to other motorist. Normally when the tailgate is open a message appears on the dash. No message was received, no buttons on keys or dash were depressed to cause this to occur.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429287 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V379000 (Trailer Hitches). The contact called multiple local dealers, Texas Country Ford (321 E Coke Rd, Winnsboro, TX 75494: [phone removed]), Tyler Ford, LTD (2626 S SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701:[phone removed]) and Pegues-Hurst Motor Company (200 TX-63 Spur, Longview, TX 75601: [phone removed]) and was informed that the dealer was not equipped to perform the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454118 at NHTSA ↗

The tailgate opened while I was traveling down the road! I did Not hit any buttons. It causes damage to my RV and my truck.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11471452 at NHTSA ↗

My F-450 has had the tailgate recall 19S48 completed. However, this did not correct the problem and the tailgate still unlatches and extends without warning while driving. In this latest incident, a cargo trailer I was towing was severely damaged as a result.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527528 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the electronic brake control became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer, Ray's Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 385 Bypass Rd., Brandenburg, KY 40108, and was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to…

Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11552000 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: 2021-05-24 (May 24, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2021-05-25 (May 25, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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: 2022-04-14 (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: 2025-07-07 (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.