Recall 21V536 affects 27,604 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Sd trucks for rear axle housing deformation. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 27,604 2020-2021 F-350 Sd pickup trucks because the rear axle housing can deform under the truck's load and lead to driveshaft separation. A separated driveshaft can cause loss of drive power or unintended movement when parked without the parking brake, increasing crash risk; Ford dealers will inspect and repair the axle housing free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle housing on the 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Sd is the heavy metal tube and center section that carries the rear axle shafts and supports the truck's load. On trucks with the 6.7L diesel engine and Dana Model 275 rear axle, that housing also has to handle high towing and payload forces while keeping the driveshaft aligned with the rear axle.
On these trucks, a supplier design change reduced the wall thickness in the spring seat area of the axle housing. That area is where the suspension spring seat is welded to the axle tube. Under the higher torsional loads of this F-350 diesel configuration, the tube can deform and the weld at the spring seat can separate. If the axle housing moves far enough out of shape, the driveshaft can separate from the rear axle.
Drivers can notice vibration or shaking at highway speeds. Shuddering during acceleration is also a warning sign and should be treated as related to the axle concern until a Ford dealer inspects it.
Who's affected?
Covers two model years of the F-350 Sd, with drive-axle hardware listed for each year.
| 2021 Ford F-350 Sd | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2020 Ford F-350 Sd | drive axle |
| Units affected | 27,604 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 12 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A separated driveshaft can cause loss of drive power. If the truck is parked without the parking brake applied, it can also move unintentionally, increasing crash risk. Treat vibration, shaking at highway speeds, or shuddering during acceleration as a reason to schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Sd is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free rear axle housing inspection and any needed repair or replacement that addresses driveshaft separation.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V536 and Ford recall 21S31 when you call.
- Set the parking brake every time you park until the axle housing has been inspected or repaired.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions before your dealer visit.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the rear axle housing for deformities. If the housing is deformed, the dealer repairs it or replaces the housing, free under the recall. The inspection, parts, and labor are covered. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because Ford says the warranty would provide a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| July 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 16, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| August 30, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 30, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 31, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 3, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V536?
Recall 21V536 covers 27,604 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Sd pickup trucks with 6.7L diesel engines and Dana model 275 rear axles. The rear axle housing can deform and lead to driveshaft separation. Ford dealers will inspect the axle housing and repair or replace it for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Sd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 21V536. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the axle housing inspection. Reference Ford recall number 21S31 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Ford dealers will inspect the rear axle housing and repair or replace the housing free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is driveshaft separation. If the driveshaft separates, the truck can lose drive power, or it can move unintentionally while parked if the parking brake is not applied. That increases crash risk. Until the repair is complete, use the parking brake when parking.
When were owners notified about recall 21V536?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on September 3, 2021. If you bought the truck used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Sd is included before calling the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V536000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V536 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V536000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →