2021 Ford F-550 SD

Do not drive

Owners filed 12 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, diesel. It has been recalled 9 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel System, Diesel8
000
Engine2
020
Steering1
000
Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft1
000

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump26V158000
Filed Mar 17, 20269,839 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump25V455000
Filed Jul 7, 2025850,318 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. 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. 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.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera25V048000
Filed Jan 31, 202591,580 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump24V957000
Filed Dec 20, 2024295,449 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual23V420000
Filed Jun 9, 2023691,133 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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."

Risk. 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.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages22V250000
Filed Apr 14, 2022652,996 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Fuel System, Diesel22V013000
Filed Jan 14, 202219,697 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Power Train › Axle Hubs21V390000Do not drive
Filed May 25, 202117,616 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Visibility › Windshield › Critical Fasteners21V090000
Filed Feb 18, 202179,017 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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."

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Aug 17, 2026TX

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 manufacturer was made aware.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Apr 14, 2026KY

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.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Feb 23, 2026AZ

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.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Dec 30, 2025CA

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.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Oct 28, 2025CA

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.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Oct 17, 2025CA

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.

EngineFire
Filed Jun 17, 2025CA

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.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed May 14, 2025FL

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 amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed May 8, 2025195,000 milesOH

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 was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 195,000.

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft
Filed Dec 18, 2024101,000 milesIL

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 contact stated that the axle shaft had fractured. The contact stated that the wheels were still connected to the hub and the vehicle lowered to the ground. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was differential fluid still in the axle housing. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 15, 2022NV

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 an aftermarket due to Ford's is an National back order and not known when will be available and Ford told me that this is not covered under warranty or any recall even though there are 5100 of them on back order! I am a 35 year ASE Master Mechanic with a Bachelor Degree is Diesel Power Technology and run a companies fleet of over 40 trucks, we have our own shop and inspected this truck ourselves and repaired.

EngineFire
Filed Sep 16, 2021IN

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 fender melted off and a hole melted in the drivers side hood from the fire. The entire engine compartment was burned as well as melted components and plastic in the passenger compartment of the vehicle from the fire.

12 of 12 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261200Routine
20251300Do not drive
20242200Routine
20231900Do not drive
202291210Do not drive
2021 — this page12920Do not drive
20204800Routine
20194520Routine
20180300Routine
20172800Routine
20163300Routine
201511320Routine
20149620Routine
20132900Routine
201261000Routine
201131200Routine
20101700Routine
20091500Routine
200826400Routine
200723220Routine
200644211Fatalities reported
200532500Routine
200449350Routine
200333550Routine
200222530Routine
200129730Routine
200072620Routine
199961930Routine
19980200Routine
19972300Routine
19960200Routine
19950200Routine
19940200Routine
19930100Routine

Compare every F-550 SD year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 17, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.