2021 Ford F-250 Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Ford F-250.

20202022
Complaints
201
per 10K Sold
2.8
US Sales
726,003
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
12

Worst 2021 Ford F-250 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#122 complaints

Diesel Fuel System

Avg mileage:81,620 mi
#221 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:41,333 mi
#317 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:303,812 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Ford F-250.

Diesel Fuel System
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,620
Transmission / Drivetrain
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,333
Suspension Failures
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
303,812
Steering Defects
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
78,800
Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
43,000
Engine Problems
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,000
Body Structure
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
21,528
Backup Camera
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
34,000
Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
12,250
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
17,000
Wipers & Visibility
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
8,000
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Side/Rear Glass
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Ford F-250. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Ford F-250

12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,542,417 vehicles.

26V158000Fuel System, Diesel:delivery:fuel Pump
~7,105 affected

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.

25V686000Back Over Prevention:software
~291,901 affected

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.

25V626000Steering:column
~115,539 affected

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.

25V455000Fuel Pump
~850,318 affected

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.

25V442000Back Over Prevention:software
~200,237 affected

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.

25V048000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~91,580 affected

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.

24V957000Fuel System, Diesel:delivery:fuel Pump
~295,449 affected

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.

23V420000Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
~691,133 affected

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."

22V250000Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
~652,996 affected

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.

22V087000Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~247,445 affected

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.

+ 2 more recalls

Other Ford F-250 Years

2021 Ford F-250 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Ford F-250 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2021 Ford F-250 has 201 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Diesel Fuel System with 22 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Ford F-250?
Top reported problems: Diesel Fuel System (22 complaints, avg 81,620 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (21 complaints, avg 41,333 mi); Suspension Failures (17 complaints, avg 303,812 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Ford F-250?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 80,044 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Ford F-250?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Ford F-250 include 5 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,542,417 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Ford F-250?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford F-250 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2021 Ford F-250

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