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EnginePart report

2021 Ford F-250 SD Engine Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
7%of 167 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Ford F-250 SD, 7% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 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.

“My 2021 F-250 has had a complete failure due to the fuel system recall notice. Ford will not repair my truck and it has been sitting dead in my lot since April of 2025. Dealer states complete fuel system repair is needed.”

NHTSA complaint #11695791, filed 2025-10

“2021 f250 with the 7.3v8. 120000 miles and lifter has failed. We believe that we caught it early enough to where we have no more issues other than this. After reading up I have noticed where there has been several other customers with same issue on this engine. I run several f350 pickups with our business and have been very pleased and bought this pickup to run around in and keep from driving the work trucks. I would like to think that this should not be an issue with this amount of miles. I hope ford steps up and fixes this issue”

NHTSA complaint #11722234, filed 2026-03

“The exhaust manifold bolts broke and it’s leaking toxic fumes in the path of the cab and it gives me a headache I’ve done research and this is a common issue”

NHTSA complaint #11647765, filed 2025-03

“(UNKNOWEN) I have a problem with accelerator pedal lag time, when pushing down on the accelerator pedal nothing happens at first then you get acceleration which isn't good it's like the truck falls on its face then jumps forward. This is a real problem when driving in traffic or really any time. I have spoken with Ford about this problem but all I get is that's the way it is, Ford needs to fix this problem it's a safety issues, I have looked on-line and I'm not the only one with this problem. This lag problem happens at any and all speeds.”

NHTSA complaint #11606814, filed 2024-08

“ON YOUR VEHICLE, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR AGED BIODIESEL DEPOSITS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THIS MAY RESULT IN EXTENDED CRANKING WITHOUT STARTING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, OR LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE DRIVING. My vehicle has been inoperative for MONTHS due to this recall, per the manufacturer. We had no warning lights or problems prior to trying to start the vehicle and that failing. We took it to the manufacturer, and they said it was because of the recall. The recall date is Dec 20,2024 and it is now June 24, 2025. That is 6 months without a remedy. …”

NHTSA complaint #11668804, filed 2025-06

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026222%
202438%
2023819%
20221713%
2021117%
20202710%
2019212%
2018154%
2017373%
2016279%
20154415%
2014519%
2013733%
20121526%
20112117%
201013%
200929%
200896%
200712%
200673%
2005103%
2004146%
200321%
200242%
200183%
200021%
199921%
1995111%

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
Body and structure
11 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
10 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Lane 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