RoadVitals

2021 Ford F-350 Sd Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Feb 20, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 94 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Ford F-350 Sd submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Feb 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the DEF Pump, DEF Pump Lines needed, and DEF heater element needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,567.

NHTSA ID
11719362
Incident
Feb 13, 2026
Mileage
92,567 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2026

Cold side intercooler boost tube cracked due to constant vibration impact from coolant overflow hose routed directly above and on top of it. Part and vehicle is available for inspection. The split in the boost hose caused me to loose power while attempting to merge onto a road, almost being hit by another vehicle. After research there are multiple other instances of complaints of the same thing happening to others and multiple aftermarket manufacturers producing replacement and upgraded parts with references and warnings of the same thing happening for the last 10 years. No warning lamps or symptoms prior to failure. After failure no warning lamps but could hear an audible hiss. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the dealer or police. I was told by their parts people it is a regular failure and the part costs typically around $200 and they only sold it as a full part and not just the rubber replacement hose althought they are separate parts connected with hose clamps.

NHTSA ID
11719097
Incident
Feb 5, 2026
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 16, 2026

Driving and abrupt transmission shifting issues.

NHTSA ID
11718342
Incident
Sep 4, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 1, 2025
Fire reported

On 11/19/25 , my 2021 Ford f350 burned to the ground due to engine malfunction. From what the fire department said.

NHTSA ID
11702165
Incident
Nov 19, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2025

At this point, nothing has happened. This is a fuel pump, bio-diesel issue that can cause a lack of power which is a safety risk. This recall has been active for 7 months with no remedy listed, but according to Ford Motor Company will require a software update? The remedy is replacing the fuel pump with a DCR valve. Waiting for the truck to breakdown and potentially leading to loss of life should not be acceptable. They know about the issue, they say no remedy, yet they are continuing to manufacture these vehicles. Are they manufacturing new vehicles with a known safety risk or did they fix the problem on newer model vehicles and just stonewalling current owners?

NHTSA ID
11673419
Incident
Dec 1, 2024
Engine
Filed Jul 7, 2025

There is an active recall on my truck and it is affecting my ability to use my truck for work purposes. I am not allowed to used a vehicle with an open, active recall, therefore I cannot use my truck. This recall has been active for more than six months and a remedy has not yet been identified. I am posting a complaint to try and speed up the recall process, which if I understand correctly is a software update for the engine to reduce biodiesel buildup in the engine which "could" cause loss of power.

NHTSA ID
11671821
Incident
Jul 6, 2025
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 25, 2025

Ongoing Fuel System Failures Related to Recall 24S78 – Request for Escalated Review To Whom It May Concern, My name is [XXX] , and I am the owner of two 2021 Ford F-350 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel trucks, both of which are affected by Recall 24S78 / NHTSA Campaign 24V957 concerning biodiesel deposit accumulation in the fuel system and a pending PCM software update. Vehicle Information: VIN [XXX] VIN [XXX] Both vehicles have already experienced critical failures that directly align with the described defect in the recall, including: Failure of the CP4 high-pressure fuel pump Repeated clogging of the water/fuel separator filter Loss of power, extended crank times, and intermittent no-start conditions These issues occurred prior to the recall remedy being available and have compromised vehicle performance and safety. I am requesting: A full inspection and evaluation of the fuel systems under the scope of Recall 24S78 once the software becomes available. Coverage or reimbursement for repair or replacement of the CP4 pump and related components if found to be caused by biodiesel-related damage as described in the recall. A formal service record entry acknowledging these failures for future reference and eligibility under the recall. Escalation of this issue to a Ford regional service manager, if needed. Given the significant safety risk and the known failure history of the CP4 fuel system, I ask that Ford address this matter thoroughly and beyond a software update, if necessary. Please confirm receipt of this inquiry and advise me on next steps. I can be reached at: Phone: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11663020
Incident
May 25, 2025
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 28, 2024
Fire reported

On highway for 2 hours, pulling 5th wheel trailer. Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaning alert went on. Immediately truck lost power, a few other alerts flashed on the screen that couldn't read in time then alert that truck was being put in Neutral which it did. Smoke coming out of engine compartment. Barely coasted to stop on side of freeway. Quickly turned from white smoke to brown. Barely enough time to get me, wife and dog out of the cab before flames coming out of engine. Engine and cab completely burned out.

NHTSA ID
11604955
Incident
Jul 27, 2024
Engine
Filed Jan 25, 2024
Fire reported

The contact owned a  2021 Ford F-350 Diesel. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the contact's residential yard, the contact noticed the vehicle was on fire. The contact had just parked the vehicle and walked around to the back of the residence. The contact stated that the fire came from under the center area of the hood. The contact attempted to extinguish the fire, however the fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was still located at the contact's residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was not available

NHTSA ID
11567872
Incident
Jan 24, 2024
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 7, 2023

The Diesel Emission Fluid Injectors are becoming clogged due to crystalized DEF. This causes a DEF error to be generated which de-rates the vehicles speed over time from 50mph to 5 mph over a range of ~50 miles. In remote areas with desert, like where I live this can cause you to be limited to 5 mph on an 80 mph fwy which is incredibly dangerous, especially when some of the more remote fwys are 1-2 lane with limited emergency lanes for nearly 100 miles (especially over bridges). My understanding is this speed limitation is not due to the mechanical operation but is a manufacturer software introduced fault condition, which cannot be bypassed. This also appears to be a wide spread issue as my truck has been sitting in the Ford dealership lot for 2 months waiting for a new injector as these are nationally out of stock. Ford has changed the design on 2023-2024 trucks, the new parts are not forward and backward compatible. Was the design change due to reliability issues with their previous design, should there be a recall for existing customers. P.S. I have a 2021 F350 with less than 15000 miles.

NHTSA ID
11553939
Incident
Oct 9, 2023
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 5, 2023

1st when the truck is running it has 14.7v from cigarette lighter, and I had an app that reported over voltage since day one and have to replace the battery every 6-8 months. 2nd less than 60,000 miles had issues with drive train (could be something else as I’m not mechanical) and it went after the 60,000 miles because they said it was a computer issue. They said the issues were unrelated even though they did the same things. I had to wait over 2 months on parts as it was the same issue that GM had as they had the same parts.

NHTSA ID
11553652
Incident
Feb 15, 2022
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 30, 2023

Transmission shifts erratically and sometimes completely doesn’t work. Has left me in traffic with no ability to negotiate vehicle and was almost hit on multiple occasions. There is a recall on vehicles built before 8-20 Kentucky but my vehicle build date is 11-20. The local dealer said nothing they can do until my 11-20 Kentucky build date truck is included. No offer of loaner and truck is NOT SAFE TO DRIVE !!!!! This has left me without.... transportation..... faith in Ford trucks Also. ..... same vehicle has the 7.3 ( Godzilla ). Dead miss in 1 cylinder. Internet information says not common but it has happened on multiple occasions. Stuck lifter which causes loss of oil pressure and scoring of cylinder walls. Local Ford dealership said replace 1 head with remanned parts and new pistons. My F350 has 58000 miles one would think it should last longer than that My thoughts. LEMON LAW Thank you for posting of this message. I have spoken personally with several people who have had the same issues and with similar results. Basically nothing from Ford.

NHTSA ID
11535328
Incident
Jul 17, 2023
Engine
Filed Dec 24, 2022
Fire reported1 injury reported

The cable connecting the engine block heater caught on fire near the plug. My right hand, thumb and index finger were burned while disconnecting the cable. I was able to stop fire from consuming the vehicle. How ever cable is burned near the 3 pronged connector.

NHTSA ID
11498766
Incident
Dec 24, 2022
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 12, 2022

Check engine light comes on almost everyday. After at least 5 minutes driving, this trucks engine will shut down with out notice. Usually when making a turn or coming to a stop light. When this happens you loose all steering control. You have to shift to neutral and try and restart. This has caused me to almost rearend a highway patrol vehicle. Very dangerous. I have had this vehicle in to the local Ford dealership on numerous occasions; however they will NOT run diagnostics to see what is happening. Have ad independant mechanic and my scan tool run tests and it always shows code P0191 fuel pressure rail faault. Maintenance is always uptodate ad fuel filters changed by dealer every 5,000 miles. Dealer and MF not honoring warrenty.

NHTSA ID
11473541
Incident
Jul 11, 2022
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 17, 2021

This truck on a daily basis, shuts down with out warning. Check engine light comes on some time, some times get P0191, P0171 and other codes dealing with fuel rail and pressure. Vehicle had less than 10000 miles when started. Dealer don't know what to do. Shuts off when you are in a turn and leaves you with out steering, and shuts off when coming to a stop sign, or trying to park. Fuel filters have been changed 2 times in 2 months. Truck is not safe to drive because it keeps surging and cutting off. Idle speed varies as much as 250 rpm when sitting still. Now

NHTSA ID
11440834
Incident
Oct 26, 2021

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

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