What 17 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Ford F-450

Failure of a $70 thermocouple sensor in the air conditioning unit requires replacement of the entire evaporative cooler, which requires removal and reinstallation of the entire dash from the vehicle. This should be a part serviceable without such extensive work.

NHTSA ODI 11742943

Technician was airing the tires - zipper ruputer occured on the inside of the tire. 225/70R19.5

NHTSA ODI 11720607

The contact owned a 2021 Ford F-450 Super Duty. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on an 8 percent decline and pulling a trailer, the vehicle slightly responded upon depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the transmission failed to downshift and was stuck in 10th gear. The contact pumped the brakes; however, the failure persisted. The contact drove into the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle was able to stop. The contact noticed smoke, and upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear brakes were on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's friend, where the trailer was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where it was test-driven, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The vehicle was taken back to the residence of the contact's friend. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to start the vehicle, the brake pedal travelled all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and traded for another vehicle. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11687296

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 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. 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 ODI 11687332

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED FOR BRAKES AND STEERING TO FAIL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUN STATE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS. THEY FOUND EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF METAL IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM PLUS REPLACED ALL INJECTORS WHICH NOW HAS AN OPEN INVOICE OF $15,923.97. AFTER RESEARCH WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CP4 WHICH IS THE MANUFACTIRE RECALL NUMBER 24S78 AND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 24V957. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE RECALL REPAIRS AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT COOPERATING AS WELL. THIS IS A COMPANY VEHICLE LOSING THE COMPANY $3K PER DAY.

NHTSA ODI 11676722

My 2021 Ford F 450 will not actuate the electric over hydraulic brakes on my gooseneck trailer. I was hauling my tractor to one of my hay fields when a car pulled out in front me. I apply my foot to the brake pedal and the truck and trailer did not slow down liked it use to and I almost rear ended the vehicle that pulled out in front of me. After this I try to apply just the trailer brakes using the brake actuator on the dash and the trailer brakes never operated. I check my fuses and they were good and I checked the trailer using another truck and they worked. I then checked the trailer wiring connections on my truck and they were good. I have done a manual reset on my trucks programming and the truck still will not activate the trailer brakes. Please help.

NHTSA ODI 11673852

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with a feature known as neutral idle control (NIC), where the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral(N) while at a complete stop to reduce fuel consumption. The contact stated that while at a stop with the feature engaged, the vehicle abruptly jerked, or hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was a normal characteristic of the feature and that no additional repairs could be made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,763.

NHTSA ODI 11644090

High pressure fuel pump failed while driving towing a trailer. Was able to pull over safely, entire fuel system needs to be replaced. Unknown if anything else was damaged yet. Vehicle is still in for repairs, estimate is between 9-13k parts and labor. I hope it didn't destroy the entire engine.

NHTSA ODI 11633674

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked on the side of the road, the driver attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery junction box harness had failed. The dealer replaced the battery junction box harness assembly, engine module, fuse junction box, and the wiring assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 20-2298. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 124,483.

NHTSA ODI 11602615

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the electronic brake control became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer, Ray's Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 385 Bypass Rd., Brandenburg, KY 40108, and was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V193000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11552000

My F-450 has had the tailgate recall 19S48 completed. However, this did not correct the problem and the tailgate still unlatches and extends without warning while driving. In this latest incident, a cargo trailer I was towing was severely damaged as a result.

NHTSA ODI 11527528

The tailgate opened while I was traveling down the road! I did Not hit any buttons. It causes damage to my RV and my truck.

NHTSA ODI 11471452

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V379000 (Trailer Hitches). The contact called multiple local dealers, Texas Country Ford (321 E Coke Rd, Winnsboro, TX 75494: (903) 342-3700), Tyler Ford, LTD (2626 S SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701:(800) 788-7876) and Pegues-Hurst Motor Company (200 TX-63 Spur, Longview, TX 75601: (903) 758-6211) and was informed that the dealer was not equipped to perform the recall repair. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11454118

While towing my gooseneck horse trailer the tailgate opened randomly. I had towed for about 20 miles and got off the freeway and was driving through a parking lot when it happened. When I turned the tailgate struck the horse trailer causing body parts to fall in the roadway which could be dangerous to other motorist. Normally when the tailgate is open a message appears on the dash. No message was received, no buttons on keys or dash were depressed to cause this to occur.

NHTSA ODI 11429287

TAILGATE OPENED UNINTENDED CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO RAIL COVER AND TAILGATE.

NHTSA ODI 11403417

POWER TAILGATE SYSTEM FAULT WARNING HAS BEEN COMING ON ND OD. AND TAIL GATE OPENED UN COMMANDED AND DAMAGED TAILGATE AND HORSE TRAILER. IT WAS POURING RAIN AND GOING LES THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR AND TURNING. THIS STARTED ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. TRUCK ONLY HAS APROX 1000 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DCH FORD IN THOUSAND OAKS CALIFORNIA.

NHTSA ODI 11400334

THE TAILGATE SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT STARTED COMING ON ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. HAS BEEN ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES SINCE. THE TALGATE YESTERDAY OPENED UN COMMANDED AND DAMAGED THE TAILGATE AND HORSE TRAILER IT WAS CONNECTED TO. NOTE I FILLED ONE OF THESE I=OUT A MUNTE AGO BUT HAD THE WRONG VIN! SORRY!

NHTSA ODI 11400338