2021 Ford F-150 Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 76 brake complaints for the 2021 Ford F-150, 8% of all complaints for the year, with 2 crashes reported. Two brake-related recalls exist: an electronic brake booster fluid leak (21V533000) and a parking brake wiring issue tied to the exhaust system (23V509000). Median mileage at failure was 45,000.
- Brakes complaints
- 76
- 8% of 1,012
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 45,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Brake pedal sinks to the floor or extends further than normal, extending stopping distance during low-speed driving.
- ABS warning light, hill start assist warning, and pre-collision assist alerts flash intermittently along with reduced or delayed braking force.
- Loud clicking or abnormal noise from the brake pedal and brake booster when the pedal is depressed, reported soon after delivery.
- Sudden loss of braking or rear-end instability at highway and mid-range speeds, in some cases leading to loss of control.
- Trailer brake controller fails to activate the trailer brakes even when tested with known-working trailers.
- Partial or complete brake failure during panic stops, sometimes resolving temporarily before recurring.
When 2021 Ford F-150 brake complaints were filed
First complaint May 6, 2021, latest Sep 11, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2021 Ford F-150
- NHTSA 23V509000Jul 21, 2023Brakes870,701 vehicles
Parking brake:electrical
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a single exhaust system. Contact with the rear axle housing may damage the wiring harness, causing the electric parking brake to activate unexpectedly.
Risk: Unexpected activation of the electric parking brake while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective tie strap, tape wrap, and replace the harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S35.
- NHTSA 21V533000Jul 15, 2021Brakes56 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The electronic brake booster may leak brake fluid into the electronic control unit, which could result in reduced braking performance.
Risk: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 28, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S33.
Brakes complaints by F-150 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does the 2021 Ford F-150 have?
- NHTSA lists 76 brake complaints for the 2021 F-150, which is 8% of the 1,012 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall on the 2021 Ford F-150?
- Yes. Recall 21V533000 covers an electronic brake booster that may leak brake fluid into the control unit, reducing braking performance. Recall 23V509000 covers wiring damage near the rear axle that can affect the electric parking brake.
- At what mileage do 2021 F-150 brake problems usually appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 45,000 at the time of failure for brake-related complaints.
- Did the 2021 F-150 brake issues cause any crashes?
- NHTSA complaint records show 2 crashes linked to brake problems on the 2021 F-150, with no fires or injuries reported.
- Are brake complaints worse in 2021 than other F-150 years?
- The 2021 F-150's 8% brake complaint share is lower than years like 2014 (24%) and 2015 (20%), but higher than 2019 (2%) and 2020 (3%).