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Ford F-450 SDModel year report

2021 Ford F-450 SD Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
2,763miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
121 do-not-drive
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Ford F-450 SD (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and brakes (3). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 2,763 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns (1 marked do-not-drive) and 237 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 60 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 66 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The tailgate system fault light started coming on on day 2 of ownership. Has been on and off a few times since. The talgate yesterday opened un commanded and damaged the tailgate and horse trailer it was connected to. Note I filled one of these I=out a munte ago but had the wrong VIN! Sorry!”

NHTSA complaint #11400338, filed 2021-03, 1,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Unknown. This vehicle when driving and come to a complete stop will jerk forward. It has been to 2 different ford dealerships to assist with this issue and has been covered under transmission control module recall and reprogrammed as per their invoices, but has not fixed the issue. It is currently at the 2nd dealership while they are furthering this inspection.”

NHTSA complaint #11764763, filed 2026-09

Brakes: “My 2021 Ford F 450 will not actuate the electric over hydraulic brakes on my gooseneck trailer. I was hauling my tractor to one of my hay fields when a car pulled out in front me. I apply my foot to the brake pedal and the truck and trailer did not slow down liked it use to and I almost rear ended the vehicle that pulled out in front of me. After this I try to apply just the trailer brakes using the brake actuator on the dash and the trailer brakes never operated. I check my fuses and they were good and I checked the trailer using another truck and they worked. …”

NHTSA complaint #11673852, filed 2025-07

Fuel system: “High pressure fuel pump failed while driving towing a trailer. Was able to pull over safely, entire fuel system needs to be replaced. Unknown if anything else was damaged yet. Vehicle is still in for repairs, estimate is between 9-13k parts and labor. I hope it didn't destroy the entire engine.”

NHTSA complaint #11633674, filed 2025-01

Mileage when problems were reported

57% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,000 and 78,000 miles.

57%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7529%75–10014%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 2,763 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2021202220232024202562026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

See all 12 recalls for the 2021 Ford F-450 SD → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 237 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 237 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford F-450 SD

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202499,7073———Too new
20235—13———Too new
20222475,00014———Rising
2021182,76312———Rising
2011658,2508———Not enough data
20086834,0903——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20071653,0001———Stable
20063549,7911——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20054051,6504——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043348,1012——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20031655,2215———Stable
20021455,0004———Not enough data
20012360,3517———Stable
20004361,1355——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19996676,0009——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19935—3———Not enough data
19916—0———Not enough data

All Ford F-450 SD model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Ford F-450 SD have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2021 Ford F-450 SD as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Ford F-450 SD is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (28% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.

Has the 2021 Ford F-450 SD been recalled?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Ford F-450 SD reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 2,763 miles and the middle half falls between 1,000 and 78,000 miles; 57% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.