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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2021 Ford F-550 SD

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 12 safety complaints about the 2021 Ford F-550 SD with the US government. Of those, 2 mention a fire and no death is recorded. 9 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the diesel fuel system, named in 8 complaints, 67% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers September 2021 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

12 complaints on file

12

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 8 · 67%
ENGINE 2 · 17%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 · 8%
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 1 · 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 8%
POWER TRAIN 1 · 8%
STEERING 1 · 8%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 12.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 6.

8 6 4 2
21 22 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2021 Ford F-550 SD. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

9 on file

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

26V158000 · March 17, 2026

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

Ford Motor Company · up to 9,839 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

25V455000 · July 7, 2025

The 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.
The risk
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The 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. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

Ford Motor Company · up to 850,318 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V048000 · January 31, 2025

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

Ford Motor Company · up to 91,580 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

24V957000 · December 20, 2024

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

Ford Motor Company · up to 295,449 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

23V420000 · June 9, 2023

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

Ford Motor Company · up to 691,133 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

22V250000 · April 14, 2022

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

Ford Motor Company · up to 652,996 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

22V013000 · January 14, 2022

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

Ford Motor Company · up to 19,697 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

21V390000 · May 25, 2021

Do not drive until repaired

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

Ford Motor Company · up to 17,616 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS

21V090000 · February 18, 2021

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

Ford Motor Company · up to 79,017 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak

PE24014

Still open preliminary evaluation · opened May 9, 2024

the diesel fuel system, the fuel system

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.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

fire

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 vehicle he observed flames shooting out from under the console towards his feet. Upon exiting the vehicle I saw flames under the hood of the vehicle and utilized his supplied fire extinguisher to attempt to put the fire out. This was futile and to our benefit he had a pressure washer and 119 gallons of water that he was able to put into action to subdue the fire. Noting that the drivers side front

NHTSA complaint 11433239, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

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 coming out from under the hood of the truck. As he exited the cab, he could see smoke and flames coming out of the truck.

NHTSA complaint 11667475. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Parts Not Available Complaint: The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-550. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) however upon having the vehicle diagnosed by a local dealer where the following code was displayed "P2291" The contact was advised that because of the code displayed that the remedy would not be performed. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer where the contact was advised that because the code had been wiped by the previous dealer that the remedy would not be performed. The contact emphasized that they do not feel safe driving the vehicle without the remedy being completed. The contact had not experienced a failure. The

NHTSA complaint 11757532, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-550 SD. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The local dealer was contacted several times for more than a year, and the contact was advised that the part was not yet available and that the manufacturer had paused the recall campaign. The contact called the manufacturer and was advised that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11731105. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-550. 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 amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11719798. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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 contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11707908. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11696083. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-550 SD. The contact received a recall letter from the manufacturer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The contact called a local dealer several times to schedule an appointment for the recall repair but was informed that the manufacturer would mail another letter whenever parts were available for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11694076. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-550 SD

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 9 12 —
2015 11 3 —
2014 9 6 —

Other 2021 Ford models

F-150 1,018 Bronco Sport 699 Explorer 430 Escape 348 Mustang Mach E 347 Ecosport 259 F-150 Hybrid 259 Expedition 235

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst