2021 FORD F-250 SD — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 162 complaints · 13 recalls
Most-reported system: FUEL SYSTEM (35 complaints · 21.6%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 3
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 0
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 2020 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution FUEL SYSTEM appears in 35 of 162 owner complaints (21.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. FUEL SYSTEM: 35 complaints, 21.6% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 35 · 21.6% POWER TRAIN: 17 complaints, 10.5% of reports POWER TRAIN 17 · 10.5% SUSPENSION: 15 complaints, 9.3% of reports SUSPENSION 15 · 9.3% VISIBILITY: 15 complaints, 9.3% of reports VISIBILITY 15 · 9.3% ENGINE: 12 complaints, 7.4% of reports ENGINE 12 · 7.4% ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 10 complaints, 6.2% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 · 6.2% STRUCTURE: 9 complaints, 5.6% of reports STRUCTURE 9 · 5.6% BACK OVER PREVENTION: 8 complaints, 4.9% of reports BACK OVER PREVENTION 8 · 4.9% STEERING: 8 complaints, 4.9% of reports STEERING 8 · 4.9% UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 72 complaints, 44.4% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 72 · 44.4% · 1 crash reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
FUEL SYSTEM 35 21.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
POWER TRAIN 17 10.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
SUSPENSION 15 9.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
VISIBILITY 15 9.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
ENGINE 12 7.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 6.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
STRUCTURE 9 5.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
BACK OVER PREVENTION 8 4.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
STEERING 8 4.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 72 44.4% 1 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 2021; the first recall shown was reported in Dec 2020. 2021-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2021-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2022-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2022-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2022-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2022-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2023-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2023-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2023-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2023-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2024-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2024-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2024-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2025-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2025-Q2: 19 owner reports 19 2025-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2025-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2026-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2026-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2026-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 Owner reports Dec 2020 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 20E090000 ◆ Recall campaign 20E090000 Recall campaign 21V090000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V090000 Recall campaign 22V013000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V013000 Recall campaign 22V087000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V087000 Recall campaign 22V250000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V250000 Recall campaign 23V420000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V420000 Recall campaign 24V957000 ◆ Recall campaign 24V957000 Recall campaign 25V048000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V048000 Recall campaign 25V442000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V442000 Recall campaign 25V455000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V455000 Recall campaign 25V626000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V626000 Recall campaign 25V686000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V686000 Recall campaign 26V158000 ◆ Recall campaign 26V158000 Investigation PE24014 ● Investigation PE24014
  • Campaign 22V087000 was reported 119 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V250000 was reported 349 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V420000 was reported 851 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 24V957000 was reported 417 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 25V048000 was reported 541 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 25V442000 was reported 688 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 25V455000 was reported 616 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 25V626000 was reported 1,387 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 25V686000 was reported 793 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 26V158000 was reported 869 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2021-Q1 Owner reports 2
2021-Q2 Owner reports 3
2021-Q3 Owner reports 1
2021-Q4 Owner reports 5
2022-Q1 Owner reports 3
2022-Q2 Owner reports 4
2022-Q3 Owner reports 5
2022-Q4 Owner reports 9
2023-Q1 Owner reports 6
2023-Q2 Owner reports 6
2023-Q3 Owner reports 8
2023-Q4 Owner reports 7
2024-Q1 Owner reports 3
2024-Q2 Owner reports 10
2024-Q3 Owner reports 10
2024-Q4 Owner reports 4
2025-Q1 Owner reports 12
2025-Q2 Owner reports 19
2025-Q3 Owner reports 8
2025-Q4 Owner reports 7
2026-Q1 Owner reports 19
2026-Q2 Owner reports 5
2026-Q3 Owner reports 6
Recall campaign 1 20E090000
Recall campaign 1 21V090000
Recall campaign 1 22V013000
Recall campaign 1 22V087000
Recall campaign 1 22V250000
Recall campaign 1 23V420000
Recall campaign 1 24V957000
Recall campaign 1 25V048000
Recall campaign 1 25V442000
Recall campaign 1 25V455000
Recall campaign 1 25V626000
Recall campaign 1 25V686000
Recall campaign 1 26V158000
Defect investigation 1 PE24014
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (13)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20E090000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V090000

    Report date
    Component:
    VISIBILITY
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C06.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V013000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire or injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the primary and secondary fuel filters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S01.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V087000

    Report date
    Component:
    POWER TRAIN
    Consequence:
    A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 7, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V250000

    Report date
    Component:
    VISIBILITY
    Consequence:
    Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 23V420000

    Report date
    Component:
    EQUIPMENT
    Consequence:
    Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 24V957000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
    Consequence:
    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) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S78.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 25V048000

    Report date
    Component:
    BACK OVER PREVENTION
    Consequence:
    Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S05.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 25V442000

    Report date
    Component:
    BACK OVER PREVENTION
    Consequence:
    A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 25V455000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 25V626000

    Report date
    Component:
    STEERING
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 25V686000

    Report date
    Component:
    BACK OVER PREVENTION
    Consequence:
    A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the image processing module software, free charge.nThis 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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  13. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 26V158000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 162 complaints · page 1 of 7

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources