As one-half of America’s best-selling model – the Ford F-Series lineup – the Ford Super Duty is one of the most commonly spotted vehicles on U.S. roads, and has been for much of its quarter-century in existence. In fact, the Ford F-250 Super Duty, specifically, was recently highlighted as being one of the top automotive models that remain in operation on U.S. roads, not to mention one of the vehicles that’s most likely to last beyond the 250k-mile mark. Thus, it’s somewhat surprising to learn that the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty isn’t a recommended used vehicle purchase, at least from one particular organization.
That organization is Consumer Reports, which just added the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty to its latest list of used vehicles to avoid. The F-250 Super Duty was one of 60 vehicles used shoppers should avoid this time around, per the consumer organization, based on rankings it derived using data from a variety of sources. Those include its Annual Auto Surveys submitted by owners, which notate any problems those folks have experienced with their vehicles. In that case, every vehicle on this list has much worse-than-average reliability compared to the rest of the pack.
In that regard, the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty ranks next-to-last in terms of reliability rankings among all pickups on the market today with a score of 20 out of 100 possible points. Most of the problems owners have reportedly experienced revolve around the truck’s powertrain, as well as defective body hardware and squeaky CV joints. The Ford F-250 Super Duty wasn’t the only Blue Oval model to make the latest list of used vehicles to avoid by Consumer Reports, however. It was also joined by the 2017-2019 Ford Expedition, as well as the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid and 2021 Escape.
We’ll have more on the Super Duty soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford Super Duty news, and comprehensive Ford news coverage.
Comments
Seems to me, if it is an American vehicle it’s safe to say consumer report will not like it!
Consumer Reports is not even worth consulting when it comes to automobiles, and more and more, not anything else either. Their authors are not subject matter experts and their buying advice now tends to favor the most expensive options. I’m surprised they don’t recommend the F-250 for those considering a Ford Maverick.
But on this type of thing they tend to throw an entire model under the bus when it might be something issue with one particular motor, or even a problem that has been resolved through a recall.
My F250 is a 2018 gasser CCSB and has been virtually trouble free after 140k miles pulling race car trailers and used as a daily driver. I installed Fox shocks and replaced tie rod ends and ball joints once. The only vehicle that was truly bullet proof was my 1991 Toyota SR5 V-6 4×4. Frankly, the two vehicles that I would grade an “F” for reliability was my wife’s Prius and Chevy Volt. Absolute garbage vehicles that left us stranded several times on mountain passes due to battery and electrical issues.
Unless it’s a Buick Road Barge, Consumer Reports will flag it for any and all reasons.
One has to wonder if CR likes anything American made. On that note, if products were built to last for years, you’d have no need for Ford Service, or any auto service for that matter or any other type of service.
Not wild about Consumer Reports for the past several Decades, however the f250 superduty troubles are very believable.
An old f250 with the diesel option and manual transmission went over 1,000,000 miles. What with 330 oil changes, 3 new clutches, umpteen tires, and if memory recalls, about 15 alternators. But the basic simple powertrain worked..
With the ecoboost crap overstraining engines, and ford’s known intercooler troubles, I’d be very surprised to see any of these go 1/4 as far as the old ones could.
I don’t believe either of the F-250 engines are turbocharged, and the only turbocharged engine is the diesel. If I’m right, you’re completely off-base.
Some of the trucks built during COVID started rusting, from bearings to cylinder walls, everything decayed and then these parts were put right into production when things resumed. It was common that trucks were leaking oil right from the factory. Engines fail during or right after warranty, etc…
This will show you how old I am, granted I was a kid at the time. I lost respect for CR when they did the road test of the Suzuki Samarai back in the day. They drove it like a sports car and then said it was dangerous, would roll over easy. Well those types of vehicles weren’t made to be driven like that. Then of course there is their hatred of most things American made. F CR.
I have a 2015 Super Duty with the big 6.7L powerstroke diesel engine. It does have reliability problems but they are not with the powertrain. Basically just some bad wiring behind the dash (which did sideline the truck til it was repaired, a minor oil leak from the front engine cover (the engine is notorious for oil leaks on the lower oil pan). Performance is amazing. But the diesel does require more maintenance and a closer eye than with a gas motor. More filter changes, better care with the fuel or you pay the consequences.