Complaint volume
910 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Ford F-150 Complaints
910 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ford F-150, grouped by component category.
910 Total complaints
13 Crash reports
4 Fire reports
6 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are power train, exterior lighting, visibility. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 13 crash reports, 4 fire reports, 6 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 203 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 45,841 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to power train, exterior lighting, visibility?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Ford F-150?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Ford F-150
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Ford F-150 complaints?
13 Crash
4 Fire
6 Injury
0 Fatality
27 Towed
3 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Ford F-150 complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 201
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 75
VISIBILITY 64
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 52
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 52
VISIBILITY/WIPER 41
ENGINE 33
STEERING 24
SERVICE BRAKES 19
BACK OVER PREVENTION 18
910 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while opening the front driver’s side door, there was an abnormal grinding coming from the motor for the retractable running board on the front passenger’s side, and the running board failed to deploy as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the motor in the retractable running board had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact attempted to replace the motor for the retractable running board himself and failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 81,000 |
| Aug 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The LEDs in the daytime running lights have failed. They are partially burned out. Based on research, I’ve done online this is apparently a common problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Random times my clockspring makes clicking sounds and the car iant able to be driven. Getting many messages about issues with the vehicle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her husband was stopped, a 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 reversed at approximately 55 MPH, causing the rear to crash into the front of her husband's front of vehicle. No air bags deployed. The contact's husband and grandfather, who was a passenger in the vehicle, were injured. The grandfather sustained neck and facial injuries, primarily around the neck and chin area. The husband suffered injuries to his hands. Medical attention was required for both occupants. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was towed. The insurance company was pending an inspection to determine if the vehicle was destroyed or not. The contact informed the dealer of the incident, and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | 59,000 |
| Aug 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the dealer was contacted several times regarding parts availability; however, the contact was informed that parts were on a national back order. The contact stated that the most recent letter stated that parts were available; however, when the contact called the dealer, the dealer stated that parts were still not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that the camera was flashing, the image was blocked, and the camera became inoperable. The driver had to use the mirrors while reversing. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the software update was completed, but the failure persisted. The contact was informed that further inspection of the vehicle was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 35,000 |
| Aug 2025 | POWER TRAIN | My 2021 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 with the 10-speed automatic transmission has ongoing and severe transmission issues that create a dangerous safety hazard. The vehicle intermittently loses power and feels like it slips completely out of gear while driving, including at highway speeds. This sudden loss of acceleration is unsafe and could easily lead to an accident. The most severe issues occur between 2nd and 4th gear. The truck slams in and out of gear, hesitates, and lurches violently. Shifting often feels like the transmission is “hunting” for the right gear, and hesitation occurs throughout other gear ranges as well. At times, it feels like a new driver learning to operate a manual transmission—jerky, unpredictable, and unsafe. This is not an isolated problem. After researching on multiple owner forums, I found many other 2021 F-150 owners reporting the exact same issues: slipping out of gear, hard shifts between 2nd–4th, hesitation, loss of power, and violent shifting. These widespread complaints strongly suggest a defect in the design or function of this 10-speed transmission. This is not just a drivability issue—it is a critical safety concern. I have lost power while merging and while traveling at highway speeds, leaving me unable to accelerate when needed. In city driving, the hesitation and gear slamming create dangerous situations when crossing intersections or pulling into traffic. Given the number of owners reporting similar problems, I believe this is a systemic defect that requires immediate investigation and action. Ford needs to address this transmission failure before it leads to crashes, injuries, or fatalities. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Right side headlight had partial failure resulting in insuffient lighting. had it replaced because Ford said its not a covered item. Three months later the left side headlight went partially out. ive spoke to a few Ford owners who has had the same problem and Ford is not recognizing this issue as a defective part. I think this problem needs to be addressed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Fords Sync system fails to connect to internet and won’t update resulting in transmission failing to relearn as you drive | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Power steering rack failure, while driving though a puddle less than 6 inches deep. Cost over $1900 to replace. My wife's 2014 volkswagen passat is able to drive though deeper water.. on 8/13 I was unable to move over on a road that had some puddles due to oncoming traffic. After driving though the small puddle my power steering went out. Took to the mechanic and he said its a known issue due to how Ford did not seal their wiring well under the trucks and it hangs lower allowing the water to seep into the cables and cause the powering steering rack to fail.. this is unacceptable its a truck a puddle should not cause a truck to loose power steering. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle hesitated to start. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart or shift out of neutral(N). The vehicle was towed to a local residence, where it was diagnosed with a fuel pump failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 51,000 |
| Aug 2025 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact remote started the vehicle from the office and walked up to the vehicle, and became aware that the front driver’s side vertical daytime running lights failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure might be related to the headlight assembly and that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense for the replacement of the headlight module because the failure was not covered under recall or warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 52,000 |
| Aug 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Last Monday, I was driving [XXX] near Jacksonville, Fl. While in an outer lane the truck pulled to the right during rain, not like a hydroplaning. I could not regain control and hit a barrier. Airbags deployed. After, I got out saw the rear passenger tire was somehow off. When PSA arrive they found it 200 feet down the road. It had snapped off. Complete break at the axle hub. Given the recall issued on 2023-2025 models I thought I should report this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the windshield wipers were hesitating while operating, before becoming inoperable. While driving in the rain, it was difficult to see due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V163000 (Visibility). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another Ford dealer, Ted Britt Ford of Chantilly Service (4175 Auto Park Cir, Chantilly, VA 20151); to be diagnosed, and the wiper arms were replaced for not working properly. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The manufacturer stated the repairs were outside of the warranty or recall parameters. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 60,000 |
| Aug 2025 | SUSPENSION,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear-end of the vehicle was making an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the rear-end had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact the vehicle was not covered under a related recall or under an extended warranty. The vehicle was repaired by the independent mechanic. Additionally, the contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera image was black. The contact stated that while reversing and towing a trailer on one occasion, the failure recurred, causing the tailgate of the vehicle to hit the trailer, and the tailgate sustained damage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the failure recurred the following day. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 85,000 |
| Aug 2025 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while in reverse and reversing out of the driveway at 5 MPH, the vehicle detected that a door was being opened and activated the safety feature and shifted the vehicle into park. While the safety feature was activated, the gear shifter was over-shifted, and the gear shifter remained in reverse. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed there was no recall on the VIN related to the power train. Additionally, parts for the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic and was in the process of being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall on the VIN for the powertrain. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 62,000 |
| Aug 2025 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My truck completely shut down while leaving the shop and I was only going about 6-10mph. The dash alert stated "fuel accessory" or something in orange, sorry, I panicked a little:) I took it to Bradley Ford the next day and they couldn't fix it as they didn't know the issue. This happened a second time, but didn't shut off completely, it just felt like I was running out gas (full tank). I do live in Lake Havasu City, Az and it's hot here so I don't let my truck go below 1/2 tank hoping this will help avoid a major accident. Thank you! [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The DRL has gone out on one of my headlights. The other has started to flicker. This is uncovered by their extended warranty and over $1600 per side to replace. It is becoming common to see many 2021-2023 with LED reflector headlamps with burned out DRL. It is an unserviceable part as well. Only can replace the entire assembly but no warranty will cover it as lighting is exempt as standard wear items. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Very premature headlight failure that ford refuses to acknowledge or repair under warranty. One headlight is more than $1200. Major safety concern. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vertical daytime running lights on the driver’s and passenger’s side failed to operate as needed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the headlight module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense to replace the headlight module because the failure was not covered under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 49,000 |
| Aug 2025 | STEERING | Getting multiple messages like service advancetrac, pre collision assistance not available, and steering assist fault. Vehicle makes noice randomly when turning but not every time | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Mostly when pulling out of parking lot but entering traffic at slow speeds complete loss of power for 4 to 5 seconds or longer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |