NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Ford F-350 Safety Record
The 2021 Ford F-350 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 14 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2021 Ford F-350 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, leaving its overall safety profile incomplete. No star ratings or Safety Index score can therefore be assigned. The federal record does, however, document a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, reflecting 14 recall campaigns. One of these was a park-outside or do-not-drive directive, indicating a significant safety concern. Additionally, NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints for this model year. While the absence of crash-test data precludes a comprehensive safety assessment, the substantial recall activity warrants close attention from prospective owners.
The 2021 Ford F-350 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, and is covered by 14 recall campaigns according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 14 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 5 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Ford F-350?
A steering column detachment risk, serious enough to warrant a park-outside or do-not-drive warning, defines the 2021 Ford F-350's federal safety record. This critical defect, which could impair vehicle control, is one of fourteen recall campaigns issued for this model year. Owners also faced two separate fuel system concerns, one affecting diesel and the other gasoline delivery, alongside two distinct backup camera issues. The vehicle’s recall and complaint burden is classified as "Heavy," reflecting the significant volume and nature of these federal actions. While the five owner complaints are a relatively modest number, one report of an alleged fire event underscores the gravity of the fuel system recalls. No crash-test data is available for this model year, nor are there tested sibling years for comparison.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Ford F-350 have any recalls?
The 2021 Ford F-350 is covered by 14 recall campaigns. Components addressed include the diesel fuel pump, the gasoline fuel delivery system, the 360-degree backup camera software, backup camera sensing hardware, and the steering column upper shaft. The steering column recall carries a park-outside or do-not-drive designation, meaning Ford or NHTSA determined the defect was serious enough to advise owners not to operate the vehicle until it is repaired.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP26V158000
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.
Reported 2026-03-17
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V686000
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module software, free charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 19, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 13, 2025.
Reported 2025-10-10
STEERING:COLUMN25V626000
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column, and repair or replace the upper shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S94. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 23, 2025.
Reported 2025-09-19
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The remedy is under development. 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.
Reported 2025-07-07
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V048000
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.
Reported 2025-01-31
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP24V957000
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.
Reported 2024-12-20
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL23V420000
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.
Reported 2023-06-09
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES22V250000
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.
Reported 2022-04-14
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS22V087000
Risk: A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 7, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.
Reported 2022-02-16
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL22V013000
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.
Reported 2022-01-14
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY21V536000
Risk: Driveshaft separation may result in a loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the axle housing for deformities, and repair or replace the housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 21S31.
Reported 2021-07-15
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS21V390000
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.
Reported 2021-05-25
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints for the 2021 F-350. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts. The top reported components are the Engine (2 allegations), followed by single allegations each involving Latches and Locks and Linkages, the Power Train, Visibility, and Structure. One of the 5 allegations involves a reported fire.
5 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Ford F-350?
The 2021 F-350 faces a critical safety advisory with its steering column recall, necessitating that owners park the vehicle outdoors or avoid driving it until the repair is completed. This specific recall is one of 14 issued for the model year. Prospective buyers of a used 2021 F-350 should consult the free NHTSA recall lookup at nhtsa.gov with the vehicle's VIN to confirm the status of all open campaigns.
- The 2021 F-350 has a park-outside or do-not-drive recall on record for a steering column upper shaft that may detach, covering 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. Owners should verify through the NHTSA VIN tool whether this campaign has been completed on any specific vehicle.
- Two separate fuel system recalls affect this model year, one targeting diesel fuel pump delivery and a second targeting gasoline fuel pump delivery across multiple Ford and Lincoln nameplates. The presence of both underscores the importance of confirming repair status by VIN.
- The 360-degree backup camera and the backup camera sensing system are each covered by separate recall campaigns on the 2021 F-350, meaning the rear-visibility safety technology on this model year has been flagged twice through distinct federal actions.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2021 F-350, so there are no frontal, side, or rollover star ratings available for this model year. Shoppers relying on crash-test data as part of a safety evaluation will not find that information in the federal record for this specific year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Ford F-350 places
The 2021 Ford F-350 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Ford F-350 safety questions
Was the 2021 Ford F-350 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 14 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford F-350 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 14 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Ford F-350, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Ford F-350?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 5 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Ford F-350. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other F-350 years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford F-350 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.