FordTransit-350 HD2021Overview/ford/transit-350-hd/2021/base/

2021 Ford Transit-350 HD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Transit-350 HD.

The 2021 Ford Transit-350 HD pairs a 6.0-quart oil capacity with a choice of 5W-30, 0W-30, or 5W-20 viscosity, reflecting its work-ready engineering. This model year recorded 20 owner complaints, predominantly centered on the engine, and was subject to six recalls, situating it as a year with notable but not overwhelming reliability concerns that researchers should weigh against the vehicle’s heavy-duty role.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30 / 5W-20OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Battery is vented to outside of the vehicle: 48 · 610 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Battery is vented to outside of the vehicle: 48 · 610 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size195/75R16C 107/105ROEM · verified
Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 / 5W-20 engine oil, 75W-85 · Synthetic in the differential, Dot 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · Synthetic
Engine Oil5W-30 · Synthetic · 0W-30 · 5W-20 · 0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Transfer Case FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.47 qt
Windshield Washer Fluid Capacity4.80 qt

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-12-D
Standard BCI Cranking Performance610 cca
Optional BCI Cranking Performance760 cca

Service checks

RPMEcoboost: 71.0; Duratech: 75.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.078 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1,2 & 4-75.91 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.25 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 180°, Step 3: 2.25 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 1-9 & 11-14: 14.75 ft. lbs., Step 5: Bolts 1-9 & 11-14: 45°, Step 6: Bolt 10: 14.75 ft. lbs., Step 7: Bolt 10: 90°, Step 8: Bolts 15 & 16: 7.14 ft. lbs., Step 9: Bolts 15 & 16: 45°.2.25 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.25 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 180°, Step 3: 2.25 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 1-9 & 11-14: 14.75 ft. lbs., Step 5: Bolts 1-9 & 11-14: 45°, Step 6: Bolt 10: 14.75 ft. lbs., Step 7: Bolt 10: 90°, Step 8: Bolts 15 & 16: 7.14 ft. lbs., Step 9: Bolts 15 & 16: 45°.2.25 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.25 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 180°, Step 3: 2.25 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 1-14: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Bolt 10: 90°, Step 6: Bolts 15 & 16: 7.142.25 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 200,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 200,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly Mounting Bolts (torque) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 200,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2021 Ford Transit-350 HD dominate in one area — the engine, 9 of 20 reports (45%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the engine are also the target of recall 20V-795 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
45
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
20
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 20 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine9
Steering,Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Unknown Or Other2
Steering,Service Brakes1
Service Brakes1
Steering,Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Fuel System, Diesel1
Steering1
Traction Control System,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V795000EngineReported 17/12/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot. Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If gaps are present, the dealer will install engine cover…

20V175000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipReported 23/03/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage. If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 45 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 26-22562026-06-19Unknown Or OtherThis article supersedes TSB 25-2572 to update the Parts List to correct the part number…
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 546782026-03-20EngineSome 2021-2026 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L/5.2L engine, 2021-2025 F-Super…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
TSB 25-25722025-11-26Power TrainThis article supersedes TSB 25-2322 to update the Service Procedure, Labor Operations and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Transit-350 HD. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Transit-350 HD take?

6.0 qt of Ecoboost: Motorcraft 5W-30 Synthetic; Motorcraft 0W-30 Synthetic can be used for temperatures below -22° F.; Duratec: Motorcraft 5W-20 Synthetic, Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic may be used for temperatures below -22°F., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Transit-350 HD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.