no report yet
Back over prevention: display function
NewRisk. An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
2021 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,052 owner complaints about the 2021 Ford F-150, most often about the power train. It is covered by 29 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-455 the manufacturer reports only 19% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Ford F-150 has problems
1,052 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
329Power train3 crash/fire/injury
130Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
119Exterior lighting
85Engine1 crash/fire/injury
78Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
57Visibility/wiper
54Service brakes
51Fuel/propulsion system
44Forward collision avoidance
31520 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 329 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 130 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 119 | 0 |
| Engine | 85 | 1 |
| Visibility | 78 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 57 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 54 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 51 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 44 | 3 |
| 20 other systems | 315 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
29 recalls
2021 Ford F-150 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
NewRisk. Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
NewRisk. Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users,…
repaired · 2026 Q3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Show 25 more recalls
repaired · 2026 Q3
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Exterior lighting: back up lights
Risk. Inoperative reverse lights may fail to alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
Risk. A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk. An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Risk. Loss of trailer brake functionality can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Other: labels
Risk. Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Body control module: software
Risk. Disabled reverse lights cannot alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Power train: axle hubs
Risk. Damaged axle hub splines can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of drive power.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Parking brake: electrical
Risk. Unexpected activation of the electric parking brake while driving increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q3
Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Risk. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
Risk. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Risk. An improperly attached fuel tank increases the risk of a fuel leak and potential for fire.
repaired · 2025 Q2
Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Risk. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk. An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Risk. Loss of trailer brake functionality could result in extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
Risk. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q4
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Sensor: side impact
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Front: webbing
Risk. A misrouted seatbelt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Service brakes, hydraulic
Risk. Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Steering
Do not driveRisk. Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. Driveshaft separation may result in a sudden loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied,…
repaired · 2023 Q4
Visibility: windshield
Risk. In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
57kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 75 power train complaints. 84% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 22% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
19under 30k miles63under 100k miles12100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Exterior lighting
19 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Middle half: $1,550 – $2,750
Unknown or other
8 owners mentioned a cost$1,300median
Middle half: $875 – $2,650
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other F-150 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-150 median. How we score
01034232510152861911392242753044705866766263242,7581,3811,0441,0761,2368214232,0291,1125854883693248432,1951,7842,9941,5411,7532,0981,4692,3351,3507461,052608420197111140
'73'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2021 Ford F-150, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of Motive PowerLed to recall 24V-635
In owners' words
What F-150 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
10R80 Transmission downshifts violently when slowing down and shifting between 5-3 almost replicating being rear ended. Happens several times a week and worse when ambient temperature is low
My F-150 with the 10r80 is notoriously awful, and unfortunately scary. Violent large downshifts and gear hunting leaves you wonder if you’re going to be being stranded or not. Fortunately for my extended warranty, I got my torque convertor replaced, but the dealer declined I needed transmission…
When driving the vehicle the transmission seems to not be able to find the proper gear. It shifts hard from 4th to 3rd it will shift into different gears at highway speed which has become extremely dangerous and shifts hard from park to drive. My truck is equipped with the Ford 10R80 transmission.…
Own a 2021 F-150?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.