2021 Ford Edge Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2021 Ford Edge has a complaint index of 6, ranking 17th worst out of 18 model years, earning a Best verdict. Transmission & Powertrain complaints (35, 32% share) and Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues (28, 25% share) are the top concerns, alongside 7 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 6/100
- #17 of 18 Edge years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 111
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20.5 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 Ford Edge problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain35 (32%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras28 (25%)
- Other18 (16%)
- Electrical System15 (14%)
- Engine15 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (6%)
- Brakes5 (5%)
- Fuel System5 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
- Lane Departure3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rearview and front-facing cameras display blank, corrupted, or distorted images, often after a software or over-the-air update meant to fix the same issue.
- Owners describe brakes and ABS failing to engage on slick roads, resulting in loss of stopping power and a crash.
- One owner reported flames coming from under the vehicle after applying the brakes on a rural road, forcing an emergency stop.
- The lane keeping assistance feature was reported to steer the vehicle back toward an obstacle after the driver moved to avoid a snow drift.
- A sunroof was reported to shatter and fall inside the cabin while driving at low speed.
- The power liftgate/hatchback was reported to close on its own, striking an owner on the head on multiple occasions.
2021 Ford Edge recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 driverâs 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ford Edge reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Edge has a complaint index of 6 and ranks 17th out of 18 model years, earning a Best verdict relative to other Edge model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Edge?
- NHTSA data shows Transmission & Powertrain complaints made up 32% of reports (35 complaints), followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues at 25% (28 complaints), often tied to rearview camera software problems.
- Does the 2021 Ford Edge have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2021 Edge, covering the rearview camera software (multiple campaigns), a Nano EcoBoost engine intake valve issue, a seat belt pretensioner defect, and a rear drive unit lubricant problem.
- Which Ford Edge years should I avoid instead?
- NHTSA complaint data ranks 2013, 2011, 2017, 2008, and 2012 as Avoid years for the Edge, all with much higher complaint indexes than the 2021 model's index of 6.