2021 Ford F-250 SD Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,066miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Ford F-250 SD, 4% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,066 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased this truck and as I left the dealership, the pin holding the brake pedal to the linkage fell out because a circlip was not installed to hold it in. I was coasting into a busy highway so I was able to think quickly and use the emergency brake, had I not done that I could have been killed by highway traffic. At that time a service tech was called outand took the truck into service. I rescinded my purchase agreement due to this as I did not feel safe driving this vehicle. It makes me wonder if more are out there like that. …”
NHTSA complaint #11387258, filed 2021-01, 33 miles“I have been experiencing a brake problem with the trailer brake system in my 2021 Ford F250 Crew Cab. When my travel trailer is connected to the truck the trailer brakes do not always apply and sometimes the brakes apply, then release and then apply again. On my most recent trip, I traveled half way through an intersection before stopping because the trailer brakes did not apply. The trailer brakes were replaced two years ago and were just inspected on January 27th of this year. They were rated in excellent condition. …”
NHTSA complaint #11717074, filed 2026-02“During towing of 10,000lb trailer, the trailer brakes cut out during heavy braking and the dash displayed wiring fault . Also, sometimes during normal braking, the trailer brakes will cut in and out, if you watch the gain meter during these episodes, the gain meter will also cut in and out. My and my families safety was definitely put at risk and now we were fully dependent on only the truck brakes to stop our vehicle and trailer. The dealer checked the vehicle on 5/9/23 and say there is nothing wrong with the truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #11521203, filed 2023-05“The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake became inoperable. The contact stated there was brake fluid was gushing out from the driver's side front of the vehicle. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by safely getting to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,100.”
NHTSA complaint #11537137, filed 2023-08, 42,100 miles“driving on two lane road with low visibility - car lost power and stopped in road- ford refused to cover repairs /tow for over one year vehicle sat - they compromised with us paying half for new engine -”
NHTSA complaint #11708366, filed 2026-01Related service bulletins
- 11027144Dec 16, 2025Some 2017-2026 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit a pull/drift condition during braking. This may be due to the brake pads needing to be broken in. Repeated, heavy brake…
- 10233701Mar 13, 2023Some 2020-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit a condition where the vehicle will not shift out of park (P). Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) C0040 and/or P0504 may also be…
- 10228876Dec 16, 2022Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the…
- 10222788Oct 6, 2022Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the…
- 10210805Apr 21, 2022Some 2017-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit a pull / drift condition during braking. This may be due to the brake pads needing to be broken in. The Workshop Manual, Section…
- 10205489Dec 20, 2021Some 2021-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit an illuminated anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning lamp due to various diagnostic trouble codes or faults. If the ABS module…
- 10201034Aug 25, 2021Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2025 | 5 | 29% |
| 2024 | 6 | 15% |
| 2023 | 7 | 16% |
| 2022 | 6 | 5% |
| 2021 | 7 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% |
| 2017 | 18 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 12 | 4% |
| 2014 | 2 | 8% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 7% |
| 2011 | 6 | 5% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 18 | 13% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 6% |
| 2005 | 20 | 7% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 7% |
| 2002 | 30 | 12% |
| 2001 | 11 | 4% |
| 2000 | 28 | 12% |
| 1999 | 33 | 13% |
| 1997 | 3 | 8% |
| 1996 | 1 | 9% |
| 1995 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford F-250 SD
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
10 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsLane departure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford F-250 SD
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology