VehicleVerdict

2021 Ford F-550 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2021 Ford F-550 Sd carries two red flags at once: 15 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 3.0× the F-550 Sd norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). It is one of the F-550 Sd years to avoid.

15

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other F-550 Sd years?

F-550 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted92 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 92 complaints2000: 85 complaints2001: 35 complaints2002: 31 complaints2003: 40 complaints2004: 67 complaints2005: 41 complaints2006: 55 complaints2007: 25 complaints2008: 31 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 4 complaints2012: 8 complaints2013: 3 complaints2014: 10 complaints2015: 18 complaints2016: 4 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 7 complaints2021: 15 complaints2022: 15 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 5 complaints2025: 3 complaints2026: 3 complaints
F-550 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-550 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Ford F-550 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System960%
Engine320%
Transmission213%
Steering17%

Does the 2021 Ford F-550 Sd have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V158000Fuel SystemMarch 17, 2026 · 9,839 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, 2021-2022 F600, and 2022 F750 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V957. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.

Consequence

High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S17. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 18, 2026.

25V455000Fuel SystemJuly 7, 2025 · 850,318 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 16, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated 2nd Quarter 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

25V048000Driver AssistanceJanuary 31, 2025 · 91,580 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S05.

24V957000Fuel SystemDecember 20, 2024 · 295,449 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S78.

23V420000OtherJune 9, 2023 · 691,133 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.

22V250000Visibility & WipersApril 14, 2022 · 652,996 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.

Consequence

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.

22V013000Fuel SystemJanuary 14, 2022 · 19,697 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the primary and secondary fuel filters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S01.

21V390000TransmissionMay 25, 2021 · 17,616 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A detached wheel and wheel extender can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are instructed not to drive their vehicles until the torque of the wheel extender nuts can be verified. Dealers will inspect and tighten the front wheel hub extender nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S26.

21V090000Visibility & WipersFebruary 18, 2021 · 79,017 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE24014

Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak

The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Operator was driving a 2021 Ford F550 equipped with an Altec AT48M aerial upfit. As he was driving the operator noted that the check engine light came on and almost immediately followed by the message center displayed "Low Fuel Pressure" warning. As he was preparing to stop, he could see smoke…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 16, 2025 · fire

“Operator was driving a 2021 Ford F550 equipped with an Altec AT48M aerial upfit. As he was driving the operator noted that the check engine light came on and almost immediately followed by the message center displayed "Low Fuel Pressure" warning. As he was preparing to stop, he could see smoke…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 16, 2025 · fire

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 31, 2024

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 11, 2022

2021 Ford F-550 Sd — common questions

Is the 2021 Ford F-550 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 15 complaints put the 2021 model at #12 of 34 F-550 Sd years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the F-550 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2021 F-550 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (9 complaints), engine (3 complaints), transmission (2 complaints).

Does the 2021 Ford F-550 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Ford F-550 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Ford F-550 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Ford F-550 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-550 Sd years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2015, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2019, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among F-550 Sd years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.