2021 Ford F-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Ford F-150 has a complaint index of 70 with 1,012 complaints and 29 recalls, ranking 7th worst of 21 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by transmission and electrical problems reported at a median 46,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 F-150 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,012
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 29
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2021 Ford F-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain314 (31%)
- Electrical System223 (22%)
- Visibility & Wipers130 (13%)
- Engine113 (11%)
- Other103 (10%)
- Fuel System87 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras79 (8%)
- Brakes76 (8%)
- Structure & Body42 (4%)
- Steering41 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine shudders and vibrates before stalling, sometimes with a burning odor and a clicking noise near the engine compartment.
- Trucks reportedly accelerate or lurch forward on their own after braking to a stop, in some cases striking a wall.
- Rear-end of the vehicle seizes or swerves suddenly at highway speed with no warning lights on.
- Windshield seal detaches while driving, in one case following a crash in snowy conditions.
- Rearview camera image freezes during reversing, leading to collisions with stationary objects.
- Trailer brakes fail to respond when towing downhill, triggering a traction control warning.
2021 Ford F-150 recalls
29 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V489000Jul 28, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras47,587 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Back over prevention:display function
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 and 2023-2026 F-250 SD vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, 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 (OTA) update, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C37. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 31, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Transmission & Powertrain741,195 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V104000Feb 20, 2026Electrical System4,381,878 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Exterior lighting:tail lights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driverâs ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
2021 Ford F-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 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 F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ford F-150 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 70 for the 2021 F-150, giving it a Caution verdict and a rank of 7th worst among 21 model years of the F-150.
- What are the most common problems on the 2021 F-150?
- Transmission and Powertrain issues make up 31% of complaints (314 total, median mileage 58,000), followed by Electrical System problems at 22% (223 complaints, median mileage 38,000).
- Does the 2021 F-150 have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists a transmission park pawl recall (26V402000) covering 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150, plus a separate transmission fluid pressure recall (25V169000) for 2021 F-150 trucks previously repaired under recall 22V-188.
- How many recalls does the 2021 F-150 have?
- NHTSA lists 29 recalls for the 2021 F-150, including one do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2021 F-150 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 70, the 2021 F-150 ranks better than years like 2013 (index 100) and 2018 (index 95), but worse than years like 2005 (index 30) and 2008 (index 10).