Is the 2021 Ford F-250 SD a bad year?
171 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other F-250 SD years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Ford F-250 SD are in line with other F-250 SD years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 F-250 SD owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 89,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 45 (26%) | 47k–115k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 26 (15%) | 25k–91k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 18 (11%) | 7k–52k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 16 (9%) | 23k–78k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 18 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 18 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 15 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 89,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 171 complaints: 3 mention a crash · 10 say the car was towed.
43 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Ford F-250 SD: 13
Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump. High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 360-degree view camera system may not display a rearview image properly in certain lighting conditions. A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control. A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image. Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump. High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture. 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.
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. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire or injury.
During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up. If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 234
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Ford F-250 SD. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
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…
Some 2021-2026 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L/5.2L engine, 2021-2025 F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped…
Some 2021-2025 Expedition/Navigator/F-150/F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis/F-650/F-750/Transit vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.5L…
Some 2021-2025 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L/5.2L engine, 2021-2025 F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
Neighbouring years
2020 F-250 SD: 270 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2022 F-250 SD: 132 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford F-250 SD year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All F-250 SD years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Ford F-250 SD a bad year?
171 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other F-250 SD years. At 89,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford F-250 SD?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (45), transmission and drivetrain (26), electrical system (18), engine (16), suspension (18).
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford F-250 SD have?
13 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 26V-158), Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-686), Steering (NHTSA 25V-626), Fuel system (NHTSA 25V-455) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.