2021 Ford F-350 SD Axle Hubs Recall (21V390)
Ford Motor Company · 17,616 vehicles · Reported May 25, 2021
Ford Motor Company is recalling 17,616 2021 Ford F-350 SD; 2021 Ford F-450 SD vehicles. 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. A detached wheel and wheel extender can increase the risk of a crash. The manufacturer is telling owners not to drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done.
Recall 21V390 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V390000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 21S26 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | May 25, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021 Ford F-350 SD; 2021 Ford F-450 SD |
| Units affected | 17,616 |
| Component | Power Train > Axle Hubs |
| Safety risk | A detached wheel and wheel extender can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Ford F-350 SD in recall 21V390?
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.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 F-350 SD with recall 21V390?
No. NHTSA lists recall 21V390 as a Do Not Drive recall. Leave the vehicle parked until the repair is done.
NHTSA lists this as a Do Not Drive recall. The manufacturer is telling owners not to drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. Call the dealer and ask for a tow and a loaner or rental.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A detached wheel and wheel extender can increase the risk of a crash.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V390?
Recall 21V390 covers 17,616 vehicles: 2021 Ford F-350 SD; 2021 Ford F-450 SD.
NHTSA lists 17,616 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ford | F-350 SD |
| 2021 | Ford | F-450 SD |
What is the fix for the F-350 SD axle hubs recall?
Yes. Owners are instructed not to drive their vehicles until the torque of the wheel extender nuts can be verified.
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.
When was recall 21V390 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 21V390 to NHTSA on May 25, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 25, 2021 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V390000. |
| June 18, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 65 months ago. If your F-350 SD was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my F-350 SD is part of recall 21V390?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V390 is open on your F-350 SD, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V390000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should F-350 SD owners do about recall 21V390?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V390000 applies to your F-350 SD.
- Do not drive the vehicle. Ask the dealer to arrange a tow and a loaner.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the axle hubs happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are F-350 SD owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 13 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 21V390 was reported on May 25, 2021, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 2 of them (15%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after May 25, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 114 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 13 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Ford F-350 SD: 96 complaints in total, 9 about the transmission
- 2021 Ford F-450 SD: 18 complaints in total, 4 about the transmission
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
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.
2021 Ford F-450 SD owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11644090, filed February 21, 2025
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.
2021 Ford F-450 SD owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11676722, filed July 28, 2025
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.
2021 Ford F-450 SD owner, MO, NHTSA complaint 11687296, filed September 15, 2025
Can recall 21V390 make my F-350 SD a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V390000 does not automatically make your F-350 SD a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Ford F-350 SD has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the F-350 SD went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your F-350 SD been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford F-350 SD recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V390
Did the recall 21V390 fix work?
Since recall 21V390 was reported on May 25, 2021, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 2 of them (15%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V390000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my F-350 SD is part of recall 21V390000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V390000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.