YearToAvoid

2021 Ford Edge Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

7/100

#14 most-complained of 15 Edge years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Ford Edge has 111 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and a complaint index of 7, ranking 14th worst out of 15 model years with a "Best" verdict relative to other Edge years.

Complaints
111
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
4 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
20.5 city / 28 hwy

Top 2021 Ford Edge problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain35 (32%)
  2. Collision Avoidance & Cameras28 (25%)
  3. Other18 (16%)
  4. Electrical System15 (14%)
  5. Engine15 (14%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers7 (6%)
  7. Brakes5 (5%)
  8. Fuel System5 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
  10. Lane Departure3 (3%)

What owners report

  • Rearview and front-facing cameras display blank, corrupted, or non-functional images, often appearing after a software or over-the-air recall update.
  • Brakes and ABS reportedly failed to engage on slick roads, leading to a collision with a guard rail.
  • One vehicle reportedly caught fire near the brakes while traveling on a rural road, forcing the driver to stop and escape.
  • The lane keeping assistance feature reportedly steered the vehicle back into its lane while the driver was intentionally moving around a snow drift, contributing to a crash.
  • The sunroof glass reportedly shattered while driving at low speed and approaching a traffic light.
  • The power liftgate/hatchback reportedly closed on its own multiple times, striking an owner in the head.
2021 Ford Edge complaints: complaints filed per month12Jun 2021Jun 2022Feb 2023Jan 2024Oct 2024Jun 2025Dec 2025Aug 2026
141 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2026 (12).

2021 Ford Edge recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V124000Mar 3, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras849,310 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Back over prevention:software

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.

    Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S09. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 25V315000May 9, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,076,138 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Back over prevention:software

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.

  3. NHTSA 25V160000Mar 14, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras2,290 vehicles

    Back over prevention:software

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Edge vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-151. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank or distorted image when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S28.

See all 7 recalls for the 2021 Ford Edge →

2021 Ford Edge fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20.5 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Edge years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Caution57766323
2020Good36316423
2021Best7111723
2022Best21130523
2023Best022423

All Ford Edge years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Ford Edge reliable?
Compared to other Edge model years, the 2021 ranks well, with 111 complaints and a complaint index of 7, placing it 14th out of 15 years with a "Best" verdict.
What problems does the 2021 Ford Edge have?
The largest problem areas are Transmission & Powertrain (35 complaints, 32% share) and Collision Avoidance & Cameras (28 complaints, 25% share), with a median failure mileage of 68,000 miles for powertrain issues and 42,000 miles for camera issues.
Does the 2021 Ford Edge have a camera recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists multiple recalls affecting the rearview and front camera system, including campaigns 22V151000, 25V160000, 25V315000, and 26V124000, all involving software updates for camera or module issues.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Edge have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2021 Ford Edge, none of which are "do not drive" recalls.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Edge?
EPA rates the 2021 Ford Edge at 23 mpg combined (20.5 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.