2021 Ford F-450 SD Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 28%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Ford F-450 SD, 28% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 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.
“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“Power tailgate system fault warning has been coming on nd od. And tail gate opened un commanded and damaged tailgate and horse trailer. It was pouring rain and going les than 10 miles an hour and turning. This started on day 2 of ownership. Truck only has aprox 1000 miles on it. Vehicle is currently at dch Ford in thousand oaks california.”
NHTSA complaint #11400334, filed 2021-03, 1,000 miles“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“The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked on the side of the road, the driver attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery junction box harness had failed. The dealer replaced the battery junction box harness assembly, engine module, fuse junction box, and the wiring assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 20-2298. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11602615, filed 2024-07, 124,483 milesRelated service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 22% |
| 2023 | 1 | 20% |
| 2022 | 8 | 33% |
| 2021 | 5 | 28% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 3 | 9% |
| 2005 | 2 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 9% |
| 2002 | 1 | 7% |
| 2001 | 2 | 9% |
| 2000 | 2 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1991 | 2 | 33% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford F-450 SD
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford F-450 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