2021 Ford F-250 SD Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 15%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Ford F-250 SD, 15% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles.
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“Hi. I took my 2021 f250 6,7 to the ford dealership as it was having trouble starting, and just wasn’t running great. They changed the batteries, and told me it was a NOX sensor. So I went and got my truck to fix the sensors myself; because they wanted to charge me close to 3 grand. The next day I got up, lo and behold it wouldn’t crank. I had to have it towed back to the dealership. I tested codes before I had it towed, and took a video of it not cranking. The following codes showed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11678590, filed 2025-08“My truck currently has 92,305 miles and are all highway miles. This truck is not used for towing outside of the weight rating. The issue is that there was a vibration when I reached speeds of 65mph and higher. The dealer states that the rear end has excessive back lash, excessive wear in the ring and pinion gears and metal shavings in the rear differential fluid. Ford's rear differential service recommendation is 100,000 miles which I have not reached. …”
NHTSA complaint #11554812, filed 2023-11“The transmission suffers erratic shifting normally between 3rd to 5th, and 9th to 10th gears where it feels as if the transmission goes into neutral when upshifting or downshifting between these gears. But, one issue occurred which has concerned me. After stopping at an intersection, when it was safe to proceed, I moved my foot from the brake to the gas pedal to proceed. The engine revved to higher RPM's, but the truck did not move as if it was in neutral instead of gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #11593097, filed 2024-06“Dear staff; I purchased my 2021 Ford F-250 new July 25th, 2021. I noticed my undercarriage was covered in great portions of rust. The front driveshaft to the outer ends and the rear housing, including the rear driveshaft u-joint has a significant amount of rust. What’s surprising is I have only 5400 miles and the truck appears to look 20 years old. I have a neighbor who is a GM of another competitor dealership. He crawled under the truck and said this is a safety issue which needs to be addressed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11458100, filed 2022-03Related service bulletins
- 11038166Oct 6, 2026For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R140 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS)…
- 11037979Oct 1, 2026This bulletin supersedes 24-2249. Reason for update: update the claim quantity of the torque converter nuts, part number and claim quantity of the front support assembly bolt…
- 11032694May 6, 2026This bulletin supersedes 25-2549. Reason for update: To add 2020 model year chassis cab vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an…
- 11029923Mar 5, 2026This article supersedes TSB 24-2249 to update the claim quantity of the torque converter nuts, part number and claim quantity of the front support assembly bolt washers, and part…
- 11029081Feb 17, 2026For 20172026 vehicles equipped with a 10R transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure has been made in the WSM, located in Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and…
- 11025854Nov 26, 2025This article supersedes TSB 25-2322 to update the Service Procedure, Labor Operations and Parts List. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an…
- 11025526Nov 10, 2025Some 2021-2025 Expedition/Navigator/F-150/F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis/F-650/F-750/Transit vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.5L (non…
- 11025529Nov 6, 2025This article supersedes TSB 25-2119 to update the vehicles affected, parts list, and Service Procedure. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an…
- 11024900Oct 29, 2025Some 2021-2025 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L/5.2L engine, 2021-2025 F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped with a 6.8L/7.3L engine…
- 11020894Jul 18, 2025This article supersedes TSB 25-2200 to update the parts list to add the new camshaft and tappet service kit and add F-650/F-750. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2024 | 7 | 18% |
| 2023 | 7 | 16% |
| 2022 | 22 | 17% |
| 2021 | 25 | 15% |
| 2020 | 77 | 29% |
| 2019 | 46 | 4% |
| 2018 | 16 | 4% |
| 2017 | 25 | 2% |
| 2016 | 14 | 5% |
| 2015 | 19 | 6% |
| 2014 | 2 | 8% |
| 2013 | 2 | 10% |
| 2012 | 3 | 5% |
| 2011 | 10 | 8% |
| 2010 | 3 | 9% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 3 | 6% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 16 | 5% |
| 2004 | 21 | 8% |
| 2003 | 20 | 11% |
| 2002 | 12 | 5% |
| 2001 | 45 | 16% |
| 2000 | 21 | 9% |
| 1999 | 23 | 9% |
| 1997 | 8 | 21% |
| 1995 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford F-250 SD
44 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 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 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