2021 Ford F-450 SD

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Ford F-450 SD has 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: 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. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

6 complaints

23%

• 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
• 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!
• The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the electronic brake control became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

3 complaints

12%

• 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!
• TAILGATE OPENED UNINTENDED CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO RAIL COVER AND TAILGATE.
• My F-450 has had the tailgate recall 19S48 completed. However, this did not correct the problem and the tailgate still unlatches and extends without warning while driving. In this latest incident, a cargo trailer I was towing was severely damaged as a result.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 filing

OTHER

3 complaints

12%

• The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V379000 (Trailer Hitches). The contact called multiple local dealers, Texas Country Ford (321 E Coke Rd, Winnsboro, TX 75494: (903) 342-3700), Tyler Ford, LTD (2626 S SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701:(800)
• The tailgate opened while I was traveling down the road! I did Not hit any buttons. It causes damage to my RV and my truck.
• Failure of a $70 thermocouple sensor in the air conditioning unit requires replacement of the entire evaporative cooler, which requires removal and reinstallation of the entire dash from the vehicle. This should be a part serviceable without such extensive work.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V379000 (Trailer Hitches). The contact called multiple local dealers, Texas Country Ford (321 E Coke Rd, Winnsboro, TX 75494: (903) 342-3700), Tyler Ford, LTD (2626 S SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701:(800) ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

3 complaints

12%

• The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the electronic brake control became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local
• 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 t
• The contact owned a 2021 Ford F-450 Super Duty. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on an 8 percent decline and pulling a trailer, the vehicle slightly responded upon depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the transmission failed to downshift and was stuck in 10th gear. The contact pumpe

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the electronic brake control became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

3 complaints

12%

• 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.
• 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 I
• The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amou

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 26 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: 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!
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V379000 (Trailer Hitches). The contact called multiple local dealers, Texas Country Ford (321 E Coke Rd, Winnsboro, TX 75494: (903) 342-3700), Tyler Ford, LTD (2626 S SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701:(800)
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the electronic brake control became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)