Car Yearsto Avoid

2021 Ford F-150 Problems

What owners have reported about the 2021 Ford F-150, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2021 Ford F-150 a good year?

It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 1,029 complaints with NHTSA, the 10th most of 18 F-150 model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, wipers and visibility and electrical system.

1,029 complaints 29 recalls, 1 do not drive 10th worst of 18 F-150 years

Top 2021 Ford F-150 problems

1

Transmission problems

318 complaints (31%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and axle hubs.

Complaints 318 · Usually at 30,000–82,000 miles · Recall 26V402000, 25V169000, 23V896000, 22V623000, 22V188000, 21V986000, 21V381000

2

Wiper and visibility problems

131 complaints (13%) name the wipers and visibility, most often the windshield and exterior.

Complaints 131 · Usually at 19,000–60,000 miles · Recall 25V729000, 23V163000, 22V842000, 22V250000, 22V142000, 21V090000

3

Electrical problems

130 complaints (13%) name the electrical system, most often the integrated trailer brake control and instrument cluster / panel.

Complaints 130 · Usually at 6,000–57,000 miles · Recall 26V104000, 25V132000, 24V443000, 22V193000

4

Lighting problems

115 complaints (11%) name the lights, most often the headlights and bulbs.

Complaints 115 · Usually at 49,000–95,000 miles · Recall 26V104000, 25V348000, 24V443000

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Lights 11%
Engine 10%
Unknown or Other 9%
Fuel System 9%
Brakes 6%
Backup Camera 4%
Emergency Braking 4%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (223 of 1,029). The amber line is the middle value, about 48,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2021 Ford F-150 recalls

Infotainment screen can block rearview camera

Crash risk

A software error can cover the rearview camera image with the infotainment home menu when the car is in reverse. This leaves the driver with less rear visibility, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: A dealer will update the accessory protocol interface module software, or the update will be sent over the air, at no cost to you.

Recall 26V489000 · Jul 2026

Automatic transmission

The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage. Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge.

Recall 26V402000 · Jun 2026

Trailer module may lose brake and light signals

Crash risk

While towing a trailer, the vehicle's trailer control module can lose contact with the car, which may cut out the trailer's brake and turn signal lights or its brakes. Without them, you may have trouble controlling the trailer and other drivers may not see it, raising the risk of a crash.

Fix: A dealer will update the trailer module software, or it will be updated over the air, at no charge to you.

Recall 26V104000 · Feb 2026

Moonroof wind deflector may detach while driving

Crash risk

The clips holding the moonroof wind deflector may not be attached securely to the moonroof frame. If the deflector comes loose, it can fly off the vehicle and become a road hazard that raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will inspect the moonroof wind deflector and repair it as needed, at no cost to you.

Recall 25V729000 · Oct 2025

Fuel pump may fail and stall engine

Can stall

The low-pressure fuel pump can fail, which can cause the engine to stall while you are driving. A sudden stall increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump on Super Duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge.

Recall 25V455000 · Jul 2025

Back up lights

An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights. Inoperative reverse lights may fail to alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge.

Recall 25V348000 · May 2025

Software

A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse. A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years.

Recall 25V315000 · May 2025

False fluid alarm can shift transmission into neutral

Crash risk

The transmission's warning system for low fluid pressure can falsely trigger, causing the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral. Losing drive power suddenly raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will update the powertrain control module software at no cost to you.

Recall 25V169000 · Mar 2025

Trailer brakes may fail due to software error

Crash risk

A software error can cause the electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes on a towed trailer to stop working. Without trailer brakes, stopping distances get longer, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will update the trailer brake control module software at no cost to you.

Recall 25V132000 · Feb 2025

Labels

The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." 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.

Fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge.

Recall 24V852000 · Nov 2024

Hard parts internal / mechanical

Can stall

7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge.

Recall 24V635000 · Aug 2024

Back up lights, Software

An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights. Disabled reverse lights cannot alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge.

Recall 24V443000 · Jun 2024

Axle hubs

Can stall

75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines. 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. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies, free of charge.

Recall 23V896000 · Dec 2023

Wiring can trigger electric parking brake

Crash risk

The rear axle housing can rub against the wiring harness and damage it, which may cause the electric parking brake to engage unexpectedly. If that happens while driving, it raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will add a protective tie strap and tape wrap to the harness and replace the harness if needed, at no cost to you.

Recall 23V509000 · Jul 2023

Linkages

The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-250.

Recall 23V163000 · Mar 2023

Motor

The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected in the 3rd Quarter of 2023.

Recall 22V842000 · Nov 2022

Driveshaft, Underbody shields

Can stall

Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture. A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft, as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge.

Recall 22V623000 · Aug 2022

Storage

Fire risk

A single vehicle may have been assembled without a fuel tank front attachment resulting in an unsecured fuel tank attachment strap. An improperly attached fuel tank increases the risk of a fuel leak and potential for fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair (if necessary) the fuel tank strap bracket, free of charge.

Recall 22V414000 · Jun 2022

Linkages

The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022.

Recall 22V250000 · Apr 2022

False fluid alarm can shift transmission into neutral

Crash risk

The transmission's warning system for low fluid pressure can falsely trigger, causing the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral. Losing drive power suddenly raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will update the powertrain control module software at no cost to you.

Recall 22V188000 · Mar 2022

Trailer brakes may fail to engage

Crash risk

A software error can stop the electric trailer brakes from working when a trailer is towed. Without them, stopping distance gets longer, which raises the chance of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will update the trailer brake control module software at no charge.

Recall 22V193000 · Mar 2022

Motor

The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor, free of charge.

Recall 22V142000 · Mar 2022

Driveshaft, Underbody shields

Can stall

Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture. A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge.

Recall 21V986000 · Dec 2021

Side airbags may not deploy in a crash

Injury risk

Front door side impact sensors may have been damaged during manufacturing, so the side airbags might not deploy properly in a crash. This raises the risk of injury and means the vehicles do not meet federal side impact safety requirements.

Fix: The dealer will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors free of charge.

Recall 21V805000 · Oct 2021

Webbing

The front seatbelt webbing may be incorrectly routed. A misrouted seatbelt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to perform a preliminary self-inspection of the front seatbelts. If the passenger-side seatbelt fails inspection, owners should not use the passenger seat until the repair is performed.

Recall 21V653000 · Aug 2021

Brakes

The electronic brake booster may leak brake fluid into the electronic control unit, which could result in reduced braking performance. Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster assembly, free of charge.

Recall 21V533000 · Jul 2021

Gear box (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION), Rack and pinion

Do not drive

The steering gear may have internal damage, which could result in difficulty steering, or the inability to rotate the steering wheel while driving. Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the repair is complete. Vehicles will be towed in for service, and dealers will remove and replace the steering gear, free of charge.

Recall 21V407000 · May 2021

Driveshaft

Can stall

The two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in driveshaft separation. 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, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft, and replace it if necessary, free of charge.

Recall 21V381000 · May 2021

Windshield may detach in a crash

Injury risk

The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle during manufacturing. In a crash, it could separate from the car, which raises the risk of injury.

Fix: A dealer will remove and reinstall the windshield, and the repair is free.

Recall 21V090000 · Feb 2021
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F-150 years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2013 F-150 2,989
2018 F-150 2,318
2011 F-150 2,191
2016 F-150 2,078
2012 F-150 1,783
2015 F-150 1,730
2014 F-150 1,537
2017 F-150 1,449
2019 F-150 1,338
2021 F-150 1,029

2021 Ford F-150 problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2021 Ford F-150 a reliable year?

It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 1,029 complaints with NHTSA, the 10th most of 18 F-150 model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, wipers and visibility and electrical system.

What are the most common 2021 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners most often report problems with the transmission, wipers and visibility, electrical system and lights. 318 complaints (31%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and axle hubs.

At what mileage do 2021 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 30,000–82,000 miles, with a middle value near 57,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford F-150 have?

29. Infotainment screen can block rearview camera (26V489000); Automatic transmission (26V402000); Trailer module may lose brake and light signals (26V104000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2021 Ford F-150?

Ask for service records covering the transmission, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2025, 2024 and 2009 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.