2021 Ford F-150 problems & reliability
959 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford F-150, alongside 29 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
6 complaints report injuries (8 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2021 Ford F-150 vehicles were involved in 138 fatal crashes with 39 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 297 | 31% |
| Electrical System | 125 | 13% |
| Exterior Lighting | 103 | 11% |
| Unknown OR Other | 90 | 9% |
| Engine | 80 | 8% |
| Visibility | 77 | 8% |
| Visibility/wiper | 56 | 6% |
| Service Brakes | 51 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 43 | 4% |
| Back Over Prevention | 42 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 46,000 miles (middle 50% between 21,875 and 70,500 miles), based on 200 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“was wanting to know if or when this recall will have a fix it has been 14 months when the recall was issued. I bought my auto thinking it would be drivable for long trips and ford is still selling new auto. Not right for the people with the recall. Thanks”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Aug 5, 2026
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2021 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly downshifted hard, with a jolt that shook the whole truck, then went into emergency limp mode, where I had to pull over to the…”
Power Train · filed Aug 3, 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the vehicle unexpectedly lost power steering functionality. The contact opened and closed the driver's side door to reset the vehicle, and the power steering function was restored; however, the failure recurred while driving. The…”
Steering · filed Aug 3, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Loss of Motive Power
Engineering Analysis EA23002 · opened Sep 29, 2023 · closed Oct 31, 2024 · led to recall 24V635
Technical service bulletins
633 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford F-150. The 10 most recent:
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine…
SSM55059 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 3, 2026
Customer Satisfaction Program 25M01 Certain 2021 Model Year F-150 3.0L Diesel Engine and 2020-2022 Model Year Super Duty with 6.7L Diesel Engine Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Sensor Replacement, If Required After Dealer…
25M01 · Other · issued Jul 28, 2026
25S75 Recall remedy -Powertrain Control Module update to introduce logic to prevent low pressure fuel pump binding and maintain fuel flow to the engine.
PT-26.11.7 F-150 · Over The Air · issued Jul 24, 2026
25S75 Recall remedy -Powertrain Control Module update to introduce logic to prevent low pressure fuel pump binding and maintain fuel flow to the engine.
PT-26.25.5 F-150 · Over The Air · issued Jul 23, 2026
Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System" message in the instrument panel cluster…
SSM 55031 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2026
Some 2021-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an "Updating SYNC" message on the vehicle center display screen after an over the air (OTA) update. The message can be cleared from the center display screen and SYNC…
SSM 55028 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 21, 2026
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
26E04 · Emissions · issued Jul 9, 2026
This bulletin supersedes 26-2066. Reason for update: To remove "(2024 only)" from the Issue statement to include 2021-2025 vehicles that may exhibit a clicking sound coming from the gear shift lever. Some of the…
TSB 26-2294 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 9, 2026
This bulletin supersedes 25-2383. Reason for update: to add 2023-2026 F-150 2.7L vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model Statement may exhibit a vibration/shudder felt during light throttle tip in at highway…
TSB 26-2304 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2026
Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a blank center display screen or black center display after welcome animation. The rear-view camera will still function when…
TSB 26-2297 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 24, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2021 Ford F-150 has 29 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2021 Ford F-150?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 46,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.