NHTSA Service Bulletin 10203896: 2021 Ford F-150
Official manufacturer communication context for 2021 Ford F-150, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.
Reviewed June 2026 from NHTSA manufacturer communication and service bulletin records. Carchieve is independent and not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer or government agency.
Some 2021 F-150 vehicles may exhibit an erroneous diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U2404:92 stored in the gateway module (GWM) after an over the air (OTA) update was performed or the GWM software was updated using the Ford Diagnosis And Repair System (FDRS). This may be due to various software parameters within the GWM. If this DTC is identified during normal diagnostics, but the vehicle does not exhibit any customer concerns around the GWM operation, this DTC should be disregarded. This DTC does not cause any observable concerns or warning messages and does not affect vehicle performance or durability. Ford is developing a software update which will be delivered to the vehicle via an over-the-air (OTA) GWM update in December 2021 to prevent this DTC from setting erroneously.
What this bulletin may mean before buying
Treat this as service research, not a verdict on one car. Before you buy, compare this communication with official recall campaigns, model-level owner complaint patterns, and the exact vehicle’s VIN-decoded specifications. A bulletin can help you ask a seller or dealer sharper questions about software updates, known repairs, warranty extensions and service history.
Affected products listed in this communication
Buyer checklist
- Run the 17-character VIN and confirm the year, make, model, engine and equipment match the listing.
- Check recall campaign pages for safety actions that may require dealer repair.
- Compare this bulletin with common problem pages for the same model and component area.
- Ask the seller or dealer whether the bulletin procedure, update or inspection has already been completed.
- Use the used-car buying checklist and get an independent inspection.
Frequently asked questions
What is NHTSA service bulletin 10203896?
Some 2021 F-150 vehicles may exhibit an erroneous diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U2404:92 stored in the gateway module (GWM) after an over the air (OTA) update was performed or the GWM software was updated using the Ford Diagnosis And Repair System (FDRS). This may be due to various software parameters within the GWM. If this DTC is identified during normal diagnostics, but the vehicle does not exhibit any customer.
Is a service bulletin the same as a recall?
No. A recall is a safety campaign with a required remedy for affected VINs. A service bulletin or manufacturer communication usually describes diagnostic, repair, software, warranty or service information.
How should a used-car buyer use this bulletin?
Use it as a research signal. Compare it with recalls, owner complaints, service records, a VIN report and an independent inspection before buying.
Check the exact VIN before you buy
Model-level pages show public safety patterns. A full VIN report helps confirm the exact vehicle, decoded specs, recall applicability and buyer checks.
Get Full Report