NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The 2021 Ford F-350 SD has 14 recalls, the most serious covering loss of drive power, wheel separation, driveshaft failure, steering loss, and fuel leaks that can lead to fire.
Fuel system issues affect both diesel and gasoline variants: biodiesel deposits can kill the high-pressure fuel pump, a pinhole defect in the diesel secondary fuel filter cap can leak fuel near ignition sources, and the low-pressure fuel pump on gas-engine trucks can fail and stall the engine. On the drivetrain side, loose underbody heat shields can contact and fracture the aluminum driveshaft, the rear axle housing on certain diesel pickups can deform and cause driveshaft separation, and front wheel hub extenders on dual-rear-wheel trucks may not be properly secured and can detach with the wheel. The steering column upper shaft can separate from the column entirely, and on fifth-wheel-equipped trucks a cracked mounting bracket can cause the hitch to break free while towing. The windshield may not be properly bonded and can separate in a crash. Rearview and 360-degree cameras can display blank or distorted images in certain lighting conditions, and the wiper arms can break and leave the windshield uncleared in rain. The owner's manual also lacks instructions for adjusting certain head restraints, which can lead to improper positioning in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
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Biodiesel deposits can build up on the fuel pump's internal roller parts, potentially causing the high-pressure fuel pump to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will update your engine control computer software at no cost to prevent deposit buildup.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 360-degree view camera system may fail to display the rearview image properly in certain lighting conditions.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the image processing module software at no charge to fix the camera display issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column's upper shaft may detach, causing you to lose steering control of your vehicle.
What the fix does
Your dealer will inspect the steering column and repair or replace the upper shaft at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Ford is developing a fix. A second letter with repair instructions will be mailed when available, expected in Q2 2026.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera may show a blank or distorted image instead of a clear view of the area behind the vehicle.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the rearview camera at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Biodiesel deposits can build up on the high-pressure fuel pump's internal roller parts, potentially causing the pump to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will update your powertrain and transmission control software at no cost to prevent deposit buildup.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual lacks instructions for adjusting or removing head restraints in certain seating positions, making these vehicles non-compliant with federal head restraint safety standards.
What the fix does
Ford will mail free owner's manual addendums with instructions for adjusting and removing center-position head restraints.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper arms can break, causing the windshield wipers to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and rub against the aluminum driveshaft, potentially damaging and fracturing it.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the driveshaft, repair it if needed, and securely reattach the underbody insulators.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A small void in the secondary fuel filter cap may grow into a pinhole leak over time, causing fuel to leak from the top of the secondary fuel filter.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the primary and secondary fuel filters at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle housing may deform under the truck's weight, potentially causing the driveshaft to separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the axle housing for deformities and repair or replace it as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front wheel hub extenders may not be properly secured to the front rotor hub assemblies, potentially causing the wheels and extenders to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the front wheel hub extender nuts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fifth wheel left-hand mounting bracket may develop cracks, which could affect the bracket's integrity.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the mounting bracket and replace it if cracked, at no charge to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield may not be properly bonded to the vehicle during manufacturing, which could cause it to detach in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.