2021 FORD F-450 SD Complaints and Recall Information
The 2021 FORD F-450 SD has 8 complaints and 63 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the high pressure fuel pump failure while towing, which has resulted in engine shutdowns and extensive fuel system repairs. Other concerns include transmission hesitations and problems with trailer brake activation.
Common Issues- High pressure fuel pump failure. Several owners report the fuel pump failing while towing, causing the vehicle to shut down and requiring complete fuel system and injector replacements costing up to $15,000.
- Engine shutdown on highway. The vehicle has been reported to suddenly shut down while in motion, leading to loss of brakes and steering control.
- Transmission hesitation. The neutral idle control feature causes the vehicle to jerk or hesitate unexpectedly when accelerating from a complete stop, and transmission replacement did not resolve the issue.
- Trailer brake malfunction. Electric over hydraulic brakes often fail to activate on trailers despite good fuses and wiring, creating a safety risk when towing heavy loads.
There are 63 recalls for the 2021 FORD F-450 SD affecting various systems including fuel delivery, visibility, safety restraints, and trailer hardware. Some recalls involve potential engine stalls, fuel leaks, and wheel attachment defects, which increase crash risks.
Recalls- Fuel pump failure (Recall 25V455000). Affects 850,318 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail and cause engine stalls while driving, raising crash risk. Remedy is under development. Owner letters sent July 16, 2025.
- Rearview camera malfunction (Recall 25V048000). Affects 91,580 vehicles. Rearview camera may show a blank or distorted image, reducing rear visibility and increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace camera free of charge. Owner letters sent February 27, 2025.
- Head restraint manual omission (Recall 23V420000). Affects 691,133 vehicles. Owner manuals lack instructions for adjusting/removing certain head restraints, which may increase injury risk. Ford will mail addendums to owners free of charge.
- High pressure fuel pump failure (Recall 24V957000). Affects 295,449 vehicles. Biodiesel deposits may cause failure of the high pressure fuel pump leading to loss of drive power and crash risk. Dealers will update PCM software. Interim letters sent January 9, 2025.
- Fuel leaks from secondary filter (Recall 22V013000). Affects 19,697 vehicles. A void in the fuel filter cap may cause leaks that increase fire risk. Dealers will replace primary and secondary fuel filters free of charge.
- Windshield bonding defect (Recall 21V090000). Affects 79,017 vehicles. Windshield may not be properly bonded and could detach during a crash, increasing injury risk. Dealers will reinstall windshield at no cost. Recall began April 16, 2021.
- Fifth wheel mounting bracket crack (Recall 21V379000). Affects 1,796 vehicles. Cracked mounting bracket may allow the fifth wheel to detach while towing. Dealers will inspect and replace bracket as needed no charge.
- Front wheel hub extenders torque issue (Recall 21V390000). Affects 17,616 vehicles. Improper attachment may cause front wheels and extenders to separate, raising crash risk. Owners advised not to drive until inspected; dealers will tighten nuts free of charge.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs, safety defects, or recall problems involving the 2021 FORD F-450 SD may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting a consumer protection attorney can help clarify options related to unresolved issues or safety concerns.
2021 FORD F-450 SD Summary
2021
Model Year
8
Total Complaints
8
Total Recalls
2046606
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2021 FORD F-450 SD
850318 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
91580 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition, 2021-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.
Risk: Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
295449 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, F600, and 2021-2022 F-650, F750 vehicles. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
Risk: High pressure Fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
691133 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
19697 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and Medium Duty F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A small void may be present in the top-center of the vehicle's underhood secondary fuel filter cap, which may progress to a pinhole over time, allowing fuel to leak from the top of the secondary fuel filter.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire or injury.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
79017 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 and 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
17616 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels and front wheel hub extenders. The front wheel hub extenders may be improperly attached to the front rotor hub assemblies, which could result in separation of the wheels and wheel extenders from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached wheel and wheel extender can increase the risk of a crash.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
1796 vehicles affected
TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Super Duty F-350 and F-450 vehicles equipped with a fifth wheel left-hand mounting bracket that may be cracked.
Risk: A cracked mounting bracket could result in the fifth wheel detaching from the vehicle while towing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2021 FORD F-450 SD
ID: 2114255POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED FOR BRAKES AND STEERING TO FAIL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUN STATE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS. THEY FOUND EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF METAL IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM PLUS REPLACED ALL INJECTORS WHICH NOW HAS AN OPEN INVOICE OF $15,923.97. AFTER RESEARCH WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CP4 WHICH IS THE MANUFACTIRE RECALL NUMBER 24S78 AND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 24V957. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE RECALL REPAIRS AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT COOPERATING AS WELL. THIS IS A COMPANY VEHICLE LOSING THE COMPANY $3K PER DAY.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
ID: 2114254FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED FOR BRAKES AND STEERING TO FAIL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUN STATE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS. THEY FOUND EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF METAL IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM PLUS REPLACED ALL INJECTORS WHICH NOW HAS AN OPEN INVOICE OF $15,923.97. AFTER RESEARCH WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CP4 WHICH IS THE MANUFACTIRE RECALL NUMBER 24S78 AND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 24V957. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE RECALL REPAIRS AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT COOPERATING AS WELL. THIS IS A COMPANY VEHICLE LOSING THE COMPANY $3K PER DAY.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
ID: 2114253ENGINE
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED FOR BRAKES AND STEERING TO FAIL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUN STATE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS. THEY FOUND EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF METAL IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM PLUS REPLACED ALL INJECTORS WHICH NOW HAS AN OPEN INVOICE OF $15,923.97. AFTER RESEARCH WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CP4 WHICH IS THE MANUFACTIRE RECALL NUMBER 24S78 AND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 24V957. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE RECALL REPAIRS AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT COOPERATING AS WELL. THIS IS A COMPANY VEHICLE LOSING THE COMPANY $3K PER DAY.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
ID: 2110028ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. I then checked the trailer wiring connections on my truck and they were good. I have done a manual reset on my trucks programming and the truck still will not activate the trailer brakes. Please help.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
ID: 2110027SERVICE 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. I then checked the trailer wiring connections on my truck and they were good. I have done a manual reset on my trucks programming and the truck still will not activate the trailer brakes. Please help.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
ID: 2067309POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with a feature known as neutral idle control (NIC), where the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral(N) while at a complete stop to reduce fuel consumption. The contact stated that while at a stop with the feature engaged, the vehicle abruptly jerked, or hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was a normal characteristic of the feature and that no additional repairs could be made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,763.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
ID: 2052188FUEL/PROPULSION 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.
2021 FORD F-450 SD
ID: 2052187ENGINE
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.