2021 Ford F-450 Sd problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (3) · Power Train (3) · Service Brakes (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-450 Sd model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (12)
Fuel System, Diesel:delivery:fuel Pump 2026-03-17 · campaign 26V158000 · 9,839 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Back Over Prevention:software 2025-10-10 · campaign 25V686000 · 291,901 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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. Ve
Steering:column 2025-09-19 · campaign 25V626000 · 115,539 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2025-07-07 · campaign 25V455000 · 850,318 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2025-01-31 · campaign 25V048000 · 91,580 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Diesel:delivery:fuel Pump 2024-12-20 · campaign 24V957000 · 295,449 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-06-09 · campaign 23V420000 · 691,133 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:linkages 2022-04-14 · campaign 22V250000 · 652,996 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Diesel 2022-01-14 · campaign 22V013000 · 19,697 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:axle Hubs 2021-05-25 · campaign 21V390000 · 17,616 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Trailer Hitches:fifth Wheel Assembly 2021-05-24 · campaign 21V379000 · 1,796 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield:critical Fasteners 2021-02-18 · campaign 21V090000 · 79,017 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (237)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-06 · SSM 55218 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2020 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10r140 transmission, a new transmission clutch circuit leak test has been introduced in the ford diagnosis and repair system (fdrs). this test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (pvt) when available. workshop manual (wsm) updates related to this di
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-01 · TSB 26-2088 v2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes 24-2249. reason for update: update the claim quantity of the torque converter nuts, part number and claim quantity of the front support assembly bolt washers, and part number change of the fluid pan from the parts list. reissued 01-oct-2026 - added lc3z-7g091-b to the part l
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-28 · 25M01 · Other
customer satisfaction program 25m01 certain 2021 model year f-150 3.0l diesel engine and 2020-2022 model year super duty with 6.7l diesel engine nitrogen oxide (nox) sensor replacement, if required after dealer evaluation reference: emissions recalls 22e02, 22e04, 23e01, and 25e09
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-23 · 25N10S1 · Other
certain 2017-2025 f-450 – f-600 chassis cab upfitted with an aerial bucket frame rail crack
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-19 · TSB 26-2256 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 25-2572 to update the parts list to correct the part number lc3z-6006-l to lc3z-6781-a, remove the flex plate bolts al3z-6379-ba from the parts list as these bolts are in kit lc3z-6781-a, update the claim quantity of the part number w709771-s440 to 9 pieces (f-650/f750-en
Power Train 2026-05-06 · TSB 26-2216 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes 25-2549. reason for update: to add 2020 model year chassis cab vehicles. some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit an incorrectly illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p0420 and/or p0430 stored in the powe
Showing the 6 most recent of 237 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-16 · Power Train“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 t…”
2026-06-09 · Unknown Or Other“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.…”
2026-02-26 · Tires:sidewall“technician was airing the tires - zipper ruputer occured on the inside of the tire. 225/70r19.5…”
2025-09-15 · Fuel System, Diesel“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…”
2025-09-15 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 78,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2025-07-28 · Power Train“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.…”
2025-07-16 · Service Brakes“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 t…”
2025-02-21 · Power Train · 2,763 mi“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 hes…”
2025-01-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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.…”
2024-07-16 · Electrical System · 124,483 mi“the contact owns a 2021 ford f-450 sd. the contact stated while the vehicle was parked on the side of the road, the driver attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery junction box harness had failed. the dealer replaced the battery junction box harne…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.