Is the 2021 Ford F-450 SD reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford F-450 SD?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford F-450 SD have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

2021 Ford F-450 SD

○ Not enough data

2021 Ford F-450 SD
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:32.479Z

Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 18
Recalls: 12
Investigations: 2
Top problem: —

Complaints per year

2021: 18 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1991	6
1992	3
1993	5
1994	3
1995	2
1996	2
1997	4
1998	1
1999	66
2000	43
2001	23
2002	14
2003	16
2004	33
2005	40
2006	35
2007	16
2008	68
2009	3
2010	3
2011	6
2012	3
2013	2
2014	1
2015	1
2016	1
2017	1
2018	0
2019	3
2020	0
2021	18
2022	24
2023	5
2024	9
2025	2
2026	3

Known problem areas

Only 18 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Electrical system

6 of 18 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing integrated trailer brake control.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-26

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-03-11

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-03-11

Also filed under Structure

Power train

4 of 18 total reports mention: power train.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-15

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Unknown. This vehicle when driving and come to a complete stop will jerk forward.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-16

Structure

3 of 18 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing body.

Service brakes

3 of 18 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

FIRE

Latches/locks/linkages

2 of 18 total reports mention: latches/locks/linkages, most commonly citing latch.

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

I
2021-01-15Recall queryClosed 2024-01-10 Power Tailgate Release Systems
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2021-04-16Visibility21V090000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 and 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2021-06-16Trailer hitches21V379000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Super Duty F-350 and F-450 vehicles equipped with a fifth wheel left-hand mounting bracket that may be cracked.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the mounting bracket, and replace the bracket if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2021-06-18Power train21V390000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels and front wheel hub extenders.

Remedy: Owners are instructed not to drive their vehicles until the torque of the wheel extender nuts can be verified. Dealers will inspect and tighten the front wheel hub extender nuts, free of charge.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2022-01-28Fuel system, diesel22V013000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and Medium Duty F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2022-10-21Visibility22V250000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2023-07-21Equipment23V420000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2024-05-09Preliminary evaluationOpen Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
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2025-09-18Back over prevention25V048000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition, 2021-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2026-01-23Fuel system, diesel24V957000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, F600, and 2021-2022 F-650, F750 vehicles.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2026-02-20Steering25V626000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2026-04-07Fuel system, diesel26V158000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2026-05-19Back over prevention25V686000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module software, free charge. 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline25V455000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2021 Ford F-450 SD — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Electrical system: 6 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 4 reports on file for this year.
Structure: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 25V455000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 21V090000 · Visibility
Recall 21V379000 · Trailer hitches
Recall 21V390000 · Power train
Recall 22V013000 · Fuel system, diesel
Recall 22V250000 · Visibility
Recall 23V420000 · Equipment
Recall 25V048000 · Back over prevention
Recall 24V957000 · Fuel system, diesel
Recall 25V626000 · Steering
Recall 26V158000 · Fuel system, diesel
Recall 25V686000 · Back over prevention

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 Ford F-450 SD reliable?: There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford F-450 SD?: The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford F-450 SD have?: 12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.