2021 Ford F-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Ford F-250 has 164 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns, giving it a complaint index of 45 and a Caution verdict. It ranks 12th out of 21 model years, capped to Caution mainly because of the number of recalls requiring dealer visits.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 F-250 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 164
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Fuel System
Top 2021 Ford F-250 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System41 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (15%)
- Electrical System22 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers17 (10%)
- Engine15 (9%)
- Steering15 (9%)
- Other14 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (8%)
- Structure & Body13 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speed, described by a dealer as a known 'death wobble' issue.
- The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts hard, slips leaving a stop, or randomly jumps gears at highway speed.
- The tailgate has opened on its own multiple times, both parked and while driving.
- Owners report a rear-end vibration that comes and goes at specific speeds between 67 and 77 mph.
- A windshield recall repair reportedly risked cracking the glass, with owners told they'd pay for replacement.
- A brake pedal linkage pin was missing a circlip, causing the pedal to disconnect shortly after purchase.
2021 Ford F-250 recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V158000Mar 17, 2026Fuel System9,839 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
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.
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.
- NHTSA 25V686000Oct 10, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras291,901 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
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 driverâs 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.
- NHTSA 25V626000Sep 19, 2025Steering115,539 vehicles
Steering:column
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.
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.
2021 compared with other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ford F-250 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 164 complaints and 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 F-250, giving it a complaint index of 45 and a Caution verdict, relative to other F-250 model years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Ford F-250?
- Fuel System complaints are the largest category, accounting for 41 complaints (25% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 97,500 miles.
- Does the 2021 Ford F-250 have a fuel pump recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 25V455000 covers a low-pressure fuel pump issue on 2021-2023 vehicles including the F-250 SD, and campaigns 26V158000 and 24V957000 address biodiesel deposits affecting the fuel pump drivetrain.
- How does the 2021 F-250 rank compared to other years?
- It ranks 12th worst out of 21 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 45, better than years like 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 which are rated Avoid.
- Why is the 2021 F-250 rated Caution instead of Good?
- Its verdict is capped to Caution because it has 12 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, despite a moderate complaint index of 45.