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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the brake power booster was emitting a hissing sound when the brake pedal was being depressed. The contact used an excessive amount of pressure to depress the brake pedal. The ABS warning light was illuminated but deactivated independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The dealer confirmed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V533000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 28,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 28,000 |
| Apr 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | My windshield wipers stopped working. It seems the wiper motor still kicks on and I can hear it move, but the wipers don’t move and are stuck. It’s almost as if the wipers are off track or something. Once my vehicle was stopped, I was able to move the wipers back down, but it won’t move after that. I can still hear the motor turning on though. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel and then turned off independently. The instrument panel then failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 57,000 |
| Mar 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The on board generator auxiliary fails to work because of "ground fault". Complaint to dealer (McDonald Ford, Freeland, MI) who stated has been receiving numerous complaints of this failure but has no remedy nor direction from Ford. This has been a continuous problem for the last few months. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LANE DEPARTURE | Tail lamp assembly both sides, allowing moisture within the lighting assembly potentially resulting in short circuit or fire if water comes in contact with electrical connections. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | POWER TRAIN | The recalls have been fixed!! Please update your records!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER,STRUCTURE | F150 is experiencing interior leaking from the windshield and other areas that Ford is unable to identify the cause. This can cause visibility issues and damage to electrical components resulting in a safety issue. The leaking causes the floor mats to be wet, which have also caused my foot to slip off the control petals. This could cause an accident. Ford is not able to identify the source, they were able to reproduce the leaks in the firewall but can't identify the source. Ford doesn't acknowledge this is a major issue and has only offered to caulk and seal in the most common areas. It was in the shop for four days March 25-27 and 22-23 2024. There are no warning issues just went floor mats and visible water on the interior of my windshield which I demonstrate to the dealership. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | STRUCTURE | Tailgate periodically opens on its own | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | OBDii reader which connect to vehicle ECM reads perfectly independently, however when connected to a state emissions inspection machine, machine indicates no vehicle information available and results in failures due to ECM not responsive. Ford says it is a known issue but will not replace ecm unless recall is issued. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle failed the emissions test due to a gateway error. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the gateway module needed to be reprogrammed to the latest software. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 95,000 |
| Mar 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the taillight and signal lights were inoperable. There was water in the lower section of the taillight compartment when it rained or while the vehicle was taken to the car wash. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the taillights and signal lights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 62,000 |
| Feb 2024 | INTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the GPS was inoperable. Additionally, the interior lights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that the battery had drained on three occasions. The contact replaced the battery. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the backover prevention camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,000 |
| Feb 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I stopped the vehicle in the street after turning wide to back in my driveway. The vehicle lunged forward like it was being pushed. It continued forward, up the curb, paused, then was pushed (moved forward) harder up the incline and into a pine tree. Significant Damage was to the front end. At no time did I accelerate. I was not in control of the car. It threw a message about parking assist on the dash. There were children on the street and I am glad it didn’t run into anyone. Yes you have my consent to check the vehicle data. I am going to file with ford as well. Even if car is fixed I’m afraid to drive it. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V842000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was 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. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE | In freezing temps(usually under 25*), the interior door handle freezes and will not engage the door latch. The door will not stay latched until cabin of interior warms up. Running boards get deployed every time the vehicle comes to a stop. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | While driving forward the parking brake system automatically applied itself. Because of this I was nearly involved in a rear end collision. This was completely unexpected and without warning. The vehicle was in for service last week. It is now back in service and they are having trouble diagnosing the parking brake system. My vehicle is currently at the dealer and the dealer is in contact with Ford because the dealer is having trouble diagnosing the parking brake system. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Headlight DRL went out. Common problem with these trucks. Causes a safety concern with visibility. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | With cruise control engaged, the set speed would randomly change up or down changing vehicle speed rapidly. Most dangerous part was some times the speed would set itself from around the speed limit where I set to as much as 20-30 mph above the posted speed limit up to 90 mph. The speed would instantly increase by 5,10,15,20 mph all of a sudden which is not possible to set with the cruise control buttons as they only increase or decrease in one mph increment. If it is some sort of speed limit sign reading system it failed and caused a dangerous situation for me and my family. I have video of multiple instances. This is dangerous and life threatening for the occupants of my vehicle and others on or near the road and could easily lead to loss of control, injury or death. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure however, the dealer replaced the battery and battery control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V142000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES, AIR | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the rear brakes were engaged, and the brake warning light illuminated. The "ABS Function-Limited" message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there was no recall or warranty coverage for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 54,500. | Crash: No Fire: No | 54,500 |
| Jan 2024 | POWER TRAIN | 10R80 transmission suddenly started showing symptoms of failure at 81,000 miles. Issues were slipping, jerking, and random gear selections. Safety was compromised when trying to merge (gas pedal pushed but truck didn't downshift initially, then drops to very low gear or from a dead stop would start in 10th gear and barely move), also when from a stop truck felt like it went into neutral when shifting into second almost causing rear end accidents and finally it would random leave shift into extremely low gear (1-2) when doing 20 causing a sudden breaking affect. Due to the safety concerns I did get the transmission replaced and symptoms have not returned. No warning lights appeared, AAMCO did the inspection as well as warranty company saying the transmission should be replaced. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure occurred while it was a cold on a low temperature morning. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned on and warmed up and eventually the steering wheel became operable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced due to water intrusion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact made the manufacturer aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,000 |
| Jan 2024 | 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 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | POWER TRAIN,WHEELS | Issues with the 10 speed automatic transmission and the adaptive learning. Rough, harsh, clunky shifting at times. Which could cause excessive ware or even failure I feel. Also, at around 70 mph the truck has this rattle or shaking . Not sure what it is . | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |