RoadVitals

2021 Ford F-450 Sd Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
17
Latest Jun 9, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
4
Reports on file since Mar 11, 2021

What this page shows

Our database holds 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Ford F-450 Sd. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–17 of 17

Filed Jun 9, 2026

Failure of a $70 thermocouple sensor in the air conditioning unit requires replacement of the entire evaporative cooler, which requires removal and reinstallation of the entire dash from the vehicle. This should be a part serviceable without such extensive work.

NHTSA ID
11742943
Incident
Jun 8, 2026
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 26, 2026

Technician was airing the tires - zipper ruputer occured on the inside of the tire. 225/70R19.5

NHTSA ID
11720607
Incident
Feb 9, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Sep 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11687332
Incident
Sep 15, 2025
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 15, 2025
Fire reported

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. The contact noticed smoke, and upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear brakes were on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's friend, where the trailer was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where it was test-driven, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The vehicle was taken back to the residence of the contact's friend. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to start the vehicle, the brake pedal travelled all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and traded for another vehicle. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID
11687296
Incident
Sep 1, 2025
Mileage
78,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 28, 2025

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED FOR BRAKES AND STEERING TO FAIL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUN STATE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS. THEY FOUND EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF METAL IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM PLUS REPLACED ALL INJECTORS WHICH NOW HAS AN OPEN INVOICE OF $15,923.97. AFTER RESEARCH WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CP4 WHICH IS THE MANUFACTIRE RECALL NUMBER 24S78 AND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 24V957. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE RECALL REPAIRS AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT COOPERATING AS WELL. THIS IS A COMPANY VEHICLE LOSING THE COMPANY $3K PER DAY.

NHTSA ID
11676722
Incident
Jul 14, 2025
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 16, 2025

My 2021 Ford F 450 will not actuate the electric over hydraulic brakes on my gooseneck trailer. I was hauling my tractor to one of my hay fields when a car pulled out in front me. I apply my foot to the brake pedal and the truck and trailer did not slow down liked it use to and I almost rear ended the vehicle that pulled out in front of me. After this I try to apply just the trailer brakes using the brake actuator on the dash and the trailer brakes never operated. I check my fuses and they were good and I checked the trailer using another truck and they worked. I then checked the trailer wiring connections on my truck and they were good. I have done a manual reset on my trucks programming and the truck still will not activate the trailer brakes. Please help.

NHTSA ID
11673852
Incident
Jul 13, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with a feature known as neutral idle control (NIC), where the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral(N) while at a complete stop to reduce fuel consumption. The contact stated that while at a stop with the feature engaged, the vehicle abruptly jerked, or hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was a normal characteristic of the feature and that no additional repairs could be made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,763.

NHTSA ID
11644090
Incident
Jan 24, 2022
Mileage
2,763 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 2, 2025

High pressure fuel pump failed while driving towing a trailer. Was able to pull over safely, entire fuel system needs to be replaced. Unknown if anything else was damaged yet. Vehicle is still in for repairs, estimate is between 9-13k parts and labor. I hope it didn't destroy the entire engine.

NHTSA ID
11633674
Incident
Nov 24, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jul 16, 2024

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. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 20-2298. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 124,483.

NHTSA ID
11602615
Incident
May 14, 2024
Mileage
124,483 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 26, 2023

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. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V193000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ID
11552000
Incident
Oct 19, 2023
Mileage
95,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jun 17, 2023

My F-450 has had the tailgate recall 19S48 completed. However, this did not correct the problem and the tailgate still unlatches and extends without warning while driving. In this latest incident, a cargo trailer I was towing was severely damaged as a result.

NHTSA ID
11527528
Incident
Jun 17, 2023
Filed Jun 28, 2022

The tailgate opened while I was traveling down the road! I did Not hit any buttons. It causes damage to my RV and my truck.

NHTSA ID
11471452
Incident
Jun 9, 2022
Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 25, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V379000 (Trailer Hitches). The contact called multiple local dealers, Texas Country Ford (321 E Coke Rd, Winnsboro, TX 75494: (903) 342-3700), Tyler Ford, LTD (2626 S SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701:(800) 788-7876) and Pegues-Hurst Motor Company (200 TX-63 Spur, Longview, TX 75601: (903) 758-6211) and was informed that the dealer was not equipped to perform the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11454118
Incident
Dec 1, 2021
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 16, 2021

While towing my gooseneck horse trailer the tailgate opened randomly. I had towed for about 20 miles and got off the freeway and was driving through a parking lot when it happened. When I turned the tailgate struck the horse trailer causing body parts to fall in the roadway which could be dangerous to other motorist. Normally when the tailgate is open a message appears on the dash. No message was received, no buttons on keys or dash were depressed to cause this to occur.

NHTSA ID
11429287
Incident
Aug 15, 2021
Body & structure
Filed Mar 17, 2021

TAILGATE OPENED UNINTENDED CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO RAIL COVER AND TAILGATE.

NHTSA ID
11403417
Incident
Mar 13, 2021
Mileage
450 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Mar 11, 2021

THE TAILGATE SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT STARTED COMING ON ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. HAS BEEN ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES SINCE. THE TALGATE YESTERDAY OPENED UN COMMANDED AND DAMAGED THE TAILGATE AND HORSE TRAILER IT WAS CONNECTED TO. NOTE I FILLED ONE OF THESE I=OUT A MUNTE AGO BUT HAD THE WRONG VIN! SORRY!

NHTSA ID
11400338
Incident
Mar 10, 2021
Mileage
1,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 11, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11400334
Incident
Mar 10, 2021
Mileage
1,000 mi

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .