Vehicle Data Hub

2021 Ford F-450 SD problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford F-450 SD. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 22% of complaints. After that come drivetrain & axles (15%) and brakes (11%).

At a glance

Complaints
27 filed with NHTSA
Most reported
Electrical system 22% of complaints
Crashes and fires
0 and 2
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0
Typical mileage
78,000 miles 11 complaints with mileage

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

Where the complaints are

Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  • Electrical system 22%
  • Drivetrain & axles 15%
  • Brakes 11%
  • Fuel system 11%
  • Body & structure 11%
  • Engine 7%
  • Latches & locks 7%
  • Tires 4%

When problems show up

Complaints by mileage, 2021 Ford F-450 SD Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 78,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 5 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 0 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 0 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 2 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 3 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 0 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 1 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 78,000 miles
Based on 11 complaints that include mileage. 45% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles5
20k to 40k miles0
40k to 60k miles0
60k to 80k miles2
80k to 100k miles3
100k to 120k miles0
120k to 140k miles1
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Among the 11 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 78,000 miles.

Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a fire.

Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2021 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Ford F-450 SD with enough data (27 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 12 safety recall campaigns.

What owners wrote

A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.

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 contact drove into the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle was able to stop.

Reported at 78,000 miles, September 2025 Fire

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.

Reported at 1,000 miles, March 2021

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.

Reported at 95,000 miles, October 2023

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 harness assembly, engine module, fuse junction box, and the wiring assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.

Reported at 124,483 miles, May 2024

Other model years of the F-450 SD

  • 2026
  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
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  • 2016
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  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
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  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
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  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • 1999
  • 1998
  • 1997
  • 1996
  • 1995
  • 1994
  • 1993
  • 1992

Best and worst years for the Ford F-450 SD