2021 Ford F-550 SD
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Ford F-550 SD has 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 10. The most common issue is fuel system problems (60% of all complaints), specifically: while driving down the road at approximately 45 mph, under normal conditions, with no warning indicators the low fuel pressure light came on. when the driver stopped the vehicle he lost all power and observed smoke emanating from the underside and hood of the vehicle. prior to him exiting the vehi. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.
15
Total Complaints
9
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 4 of 4)
FUEL SYSTEM
9 complaints- • While driving down the road at approximately 45 mph, under normal conditions, with no warning indicators the low fuel pressure light came on. When the driver stopped the vehicle he lost all power and observed smoke emanating from the underside and hood of the vehicle. Prior to him exiting the vehi
- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-550 SD. The contact stated that while an employee was driving 65 MPH and towing a vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was unable to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway due to a loss of electronic power steering; however, the vehicle wa
- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-550 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 not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable
“While driving down the road at approximately 45 mph, under normal conditions, with no warning indicators the low fuel pressure light came on. When the driver stopped the vehicle he lost all power and observed smoke emanating from the underside and hood of the vehicle. Prior to him exiting the vehi”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (9)
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.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C06.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Ford F-550 SD
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford F-550 SD Service Intervals
IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2021 F-550 SD, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 15 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: While driving down the road at approximately 45 mph, under normal conditions, with no warning indicators the low fuel pressure light came on. When the driver stopped the vehicle he lost all power and observed smoke emanating from the underside and hood of the vehicle. Prior to him exiting the vehi
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: While driving down the road at approximately 45 mph, under normal conditions, with no warning indicators the low fuel pressure light came on. When the driver stopped the vehicle he lost all power and observed smoke emanating from the underside and hood of the vehicle. Prior to him exiting the vehi
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-550 SD. The contact stated that while his son was driving at unknown speeds and making a right turn, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver’s side rear dual wheel axle had fractured inside the differential housing. The c
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: While driving and getting off the freeway at approximately 55 PMH truck when into a violent death wobble and had to slam on the brakes and come to a complete stop before it started. Truck has 36,384 miles on it and all front end steering is tight with no play, steering stabilizer was replaced with a
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford F-550 SD — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 9
- Fire reports
- 5
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 10
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Ford F-550 SD