MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index
NHTSA crash test of the 2021 Ford F-250

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2021 Ford F-250

Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.

0Recalls
156Complaints
0Investigations
ABOUT THE FORD F-250

The Ford F-250 is a heavy-duty, full-size pickup truck aimed squarely at buyers who need serious towing and hauling capability without compromising on daily usability. Sitting above the half-ton F-150 in Ford's lineup, the F-250 targets contractors, fleet operators, and truck enthusiasts who demand a workhorse that can also serve as a family vehicle. It is one of the most recognizable and widely sold heavy-duty trucks in the United States.

VERDICT

The 2021 Ford F-250 earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 88 out of 100, an strong result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. Both frontal and side crash protection reached the full 5 stars. No vehicle recalls are on file for this model year.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY

Reviewers generally regard the Ford F-250 as a benchmark heavy-duty pickup, praising its towing capability, powertrain options, and interior refinement relative to its work-truck roots. Most acknowledge it as a capable, well-rounded choice in the segment. Concerns typically center on its large footprint making everyday driving more demanding, and some reviewers note that the ride can feel stiff when the truck is unladen.

NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 29.2%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15434

Index breakdown

Crash protection62/70
Avoidance tech7.5/10
Defect record18.5/20
Forward collision warning: OptionalLane departure warning: StandardStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record

No vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Ford F-250 at NHTSA as of 2026-07-02. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the safety score.

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints

156 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

3reported crash
0reported fire
0reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsFuel System 27Diesel 24Power Train 22Suspension 18Electrical System 17Unknown Or Other 14

Other F-250 years

Rivals in Truck (2021)

Last verified 2026-07-02. Sources: NHTSA SafetyRatings (VehicleId 15434), recallsByVehicle, complaintsByVehicle for Ford F-250 2021. Class rank 1 of 4 in Truck 2021. Methodology · Disclosure