2021 Ford F-250 SD Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 11%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Ford F-250 SD, 11% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This car has had a recall for almost year. I’m am terrified to drive my truck especially with my kids in it. Sometimes if I press the gas trying to cross traffic, it takes a while to go. Also sometimes it won’t crank up and start. It takes awhile few tried. My back up camera doesn’t work the way it should”
NHTSA complaint #11682653, filed 2025-08“All of my rear lights stopped working with no warning. My blind spot monitoring and cross traffic detection also stopped working. This is a serious issue as the light go out intermittenly without warning. Especially dangerous at night. Dealership thinks it might be a faulty harness. Dealership thought they fixed it by cleaning contacts but the very next day they went out again while driving in a snow storm. Luckily no one was behind me because they would not have been able to see me.”
NHTSA complaint #11706808, filed 2025-12“I hit an elk at 65 mph while pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with 4000 lbs of hay. The crash warning light did not come on nor did the air bags deploy. The whole front end of the truck is badly damaged. I contacted my local Ford dealer with this information and was told by the service agent that the body shop will handle this. As my concern is how hard do you have to hit something to get the airbags to deploy. I’m concerned for my safety while driving this truck again if it can be repaired. I’m taking it to the repair shop today. …”
NHTSA complaint #11671870, filed 2025-07“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“This is what happen Thursday Night to my Truck sitting in my drive way. My entire wiring harness on the drivers side was under water.. I drove it to the dealership and it was still pouring water from the rear plugs. I have rubber floor mats and wouldn't have even noticed the issue if I didn't pull them to clean the truck. There are tons of truck having this issue. to fix it properly the bed has to be taken off the truck. The insurance company's total cars for electrical being covered in water. This is a recall issue Ford Surly needs to address and fix. …”
NHTSA complaint #11501747, filed 2023-01Related service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 44% |
| 2025 | 2 | 12% |
| 2024 | 10 | 25% |
| 2023 | 13 | 30% |
| 2022 | 19 | 15% |
| 2021 | 18 | 11% |
| 2020 | 27 | 10% |
| 2019 | 33 | 3% |
| 2018 | 9 | 2% |
| 2017 | 54 | 5% |
| 2016 | 25 | 9% |
| 2015 | 9 | 3% |
| 2014 | 1 | 4% |
| 2013 | 3 | 14% |
| 2012 | 10 | 18% |
| 2011 | 6 | 5% |
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 9 | 6% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 32 | 11% |
| 2004 | 56 | 22% |
| 2003 | 14 | 8% |
| 2002 | 29 | 12% |
| 2001 | 39 | 14% |
| 2000 | 23 | 10% |
| 1999 | 34 | 14% |
| 1997 | 6 | 15% |
| 1996 | 1 | 9% |
| 1995 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford F-250 SD
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 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 complaintsBrakes
7 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 27, 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