Skip to content
Engine coolingPart report

2021 Ford F-250 SD Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
2%of 167 total for the year
Median mileage
74,122miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2021 Ford F-250 SD, 2% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,122 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.

“The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal valve noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with delaminated lifter cam and rockers and push rods. There were metal shavings found in the engine oil. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and confirmed there was no repair coverage for the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11677437, filed 2025-07, 107,244 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated there was an abnormal odor of the exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The contact also stated the diesel cleaning system activated independently causing a strong odor. In addition, the RPM was fluctuating. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but the result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11586801, filed 2024-05, 41,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202413%
202312%
202222%
202132%
202021%
201920%
201810%
201730%
201672%
201521%
201428%
201315%
2012712%
201143%
20101134%
2009522%
20083323%
200747%
2006187%
20053713%
200410140%
20037240%
200210141%
20019132%
20006930%
19999538%
19971128%
1996436%
1995222%

Other parts of the 2021 Ford F-250 SD

Fuel system
44 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
25 complaints
Electrical system
18 complaints
Suspension
18 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaints
Steering
15 complaints
Other or unknown
14 complaints
Engine
11 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
10 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
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