YearToAvoid

2021 Ford F-150 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 314 of 1,012 total complaints (31%) on the 2021 Ford F-150, with a median failure mileage of 58,000. Five recalls cover related transmission and driveshaft issues, including unexpected shifts to neutral and rear axle hub bolt fatigue.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
314
31% of 1,012
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
58,000 mi
Related recalls
5

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Transmission unexpectedly shifts into neutral while driving, cutting acceleration and causing the vehicle to roll or lose power.
  • Transmission shudders, jerks, or shifts hard during acceleration or deceleration, sometimes hard enough to fail to downshift in a near-miss situation.
  • Rear axle shaft or driveshaft separates or breaks near the axle hub, in one case causing loss of control and a crash.
  • Powertrain malfunction warning lights illuminate along with a sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate, sometimes requiring a restart.
  • Owners report delays getting recall repairs completed because replacement parts for the transmission or axle were unavailable at the dealer.

When 2021 Ford F-150 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 24, 2021, latest Sep 16, 2026.

2021 Ford F-150 transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter412021 Q22022 Q12022 Q42023 Q32024 Q22025 Q12025 Q42026 Q3
314 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q1 (41).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 Ford F-150

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 25V169000Mar 14, 2025Transmission & Powertrain567 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-188. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.

    Risk: An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S24.

  3. NHTSA 23V896000Dec 22, 2023Transmission & Powertrain112,965 vehicles

    Power train:axle hubs

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-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.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S65.

  4. NHTSA 22V188000Mar 25, 2022Transmission & Powertrain47,084 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.

    Risk: An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 12, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S15.

  5. NHTSA 21V381000May 24, 2021Transmission & Powertrain4,436 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in driveshaft separation.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S25.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by F-150 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005112 (10%)
  2. 200646 (8%)
  3. 200757 (12%)
  4. 200850 (14%)
  5. 200933 (10%)
  6. 2010121 (14%)
  7. 2011825 (38%)
  8. 2012679 (38%)
  9. 20131,336 (45%)
  10. 2014424 (28%)
  11. 2015406 (24%)
  12. 2016582 (28%)
  13. 2017539 (38%)
  14. 20181,008 (44%)
  15. 2019730 (55%)
  16. 2020354 (49%)
  17. 2021314 (31%)
  18. 2022157 (26%)
  19. 2023156 (38%)
  20. 202455 (29%)
  21. 202525 (24%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2021 Ford F-150?
NHTSA lists 314 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 F-150, which is 31% of the 1,012 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2021 Ford F-150?
Yes. NHTSA lists five related recalls, including campaigns for a false low transmission fluid pressure code that could shift the truck into neutral (22V188000, 25V169000), a park pawl engagement issue (26V402000), a rear axle hub bolt fatigue issue (23V896000), and a driveshaft assembly issue (21V381000).
At what mileage do 2021 F-150 transmission problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2021 F-150 is 58,000 miles.
Have transmission issues on the 2021 F-150 caused crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records show 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury among the Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 F-150.

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.