2021 Ford F-350 problems
The 2021 Ford F-350 has 92 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Ford F-350 has 92 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is fuel system at 21 complaints, typically surfacing around 127,685 miles (~$1,200 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 F-350 | 198 | 2 |
| 2019 F-350 | 463 | 4 |
| 2020 F-350 | 182 | 2 |
| 2021 F-350 (this page) | 92 | 0 |
| 2022 F-350 | 106 | 0 |
| 2023 F-350 | 37 | 0 |
| 2024 F-350 | 43 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2021 Ford F-350? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- fuel system — 21 owner reports · tends to show around 127,685 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
- electrical — 12 owner reports · tends to show around 121,550 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 88,784 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 8 owner reports · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 88,784 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Ford F-350
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V250000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH while it was sleeting, the windshield…
The cable connecting the engine block heater caught on fire near the plug. My right hand, thumb and index finger were burned while disconnecting the cable. I was able to stop fire from consuming the vehicle. How ever cable is burned near the 3 pronged connector.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, he observed a puddle of water in the front middle seat which was folded down to use as a cup holder. The contact stated that it had rained the night before but not enough to form a puddle…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact received a recall letter related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The contact was concerned about being involved in a crash. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the software fix was not…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Ford F-350 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Ford F-350 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Ford F-350?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Ford F-350 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Ford F-350?
Inspect the fuel system first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 21 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 127,685 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,200 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Ford F-350 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 92 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is fuel system. Typical failure occurs around 127,685 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Ford F-350?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is fuel system, with 21 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 127,685 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,200 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The fuel system is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,200 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 127,685 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-350 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Ford F-350?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 92 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,200, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.