Complaint volume
941 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
941 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ford F-150, grouped by component category.
941 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 206 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 46,358 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
28 Towed
3 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Ford F-150 complaint categories?
POWER TRAIN 210
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 80
VISIBILITY 64
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 54
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 53
VISIBILITY/WIPER 42
ENGINE 34
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 24
STEERING 24
SERVICE BRAKES 19
941 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN,WHEELS | Heard a rattling noise from rear passenger side wheel. Axle nut is sheared off and freely moving around inside the hub. Looked online and this appears to be common with my vehicle. Ford has not issued a recall still. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | While towing trailers the right directional works but the right brake light does not on the trailer. The trailer light work fine with other vehicles. It appears to be a problem with the trailer brake control module. Also while towing will get trailer light fault alerts even though the lights are working properly. Right after disconnecting the trailer you still get the trailer light fault alerts and your back up alerts on the camera are still disabled for days. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | The Brake Pedal must be pressed very hard and the Pedal travels further than normal compared to my 2020 F150. The dealer told me the Brakes are OK but I can’t believe that Power Disk brakes don’t stop the vehicle easily. There’s is also extra brake necessary to come to a complete stop ! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | HD rear axle bolt at end of axle shaft breaks. This WOULD be addressed by Ford customer satisfaction program 22B34, except the program only covers 2021 vehicles manufactured AFTER 01 May 2021. My vehicle was manufactured in November 2020. This program needs to be expanded to include ALL vehicles with the 9.75" 4/4-Float HD axle from the beginning of the model year build. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | A/C lines freezing therefore the Air Conditioning stop blowing cold air and I was sweating. I had to stop my trip, power off engine and wait 30 minutes with the hood open on the side of the highway. I was reading online and is a lot of people dealing with the same issue and Ford Co. is not fixing because there is not codes coming up. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The exact circumstances highlighted in Customer Satisfaction Program 22B34, which outlines the recall necessary for replacement of axle bolts and axles after the axle bolt shears off while driving. The recall is for trucks from the Kansas City manufacturing plant and the recall only covers trucks made until 30 September 2021. My truck was manufactured in October 2021. This recall was in place for Certain 2021-2022 Model Year F-150 Vehicles Equipped with 9.75” HD Axle – ¾ Float Axle Rear Axle Half-Shaft and Hub Assembly Replacements The axle bolt sheared off my truck's drivers side rear axle. Ford is replacing it under the drivetrain warranty. They are unwilling to replace the other side because I am not included in the current recall (outside of the parameters by only few days). The recall specifically identifies that both sides should be replaced if one side breaks. The pictures outlined in Customer Satisfaction Program 22B34 look identical to the defect that my vehicle has experienced. You can see the pictures and the details of the recall here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after shifting from reverse(R) to drive(D), the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer to file a complaint. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed; however, the case was denied, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,000 |
| Aug 2023 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V250000 (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 dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING HARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN. THIS REPEATEDLY HAPPENS WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM 7TH TO 6TH GEAR AND IT HITS EVEN HARDER WHEN IT GOES FROM 6TH TO 5TH. TRANSMISSION DELIVERS A SLAMMING HIT TO THE POINT IT FEELS LIKE REAR END ACCIDENT, TO THE POINT NECK HAS BECOME SORE FROM WHAT FEELS LIKE WHIPLASH. TRUCK HAS UPCOMING APPT AT DEALER TO LOOKED AT. NO LIGHTS OR WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The audio system suddenly put out loud static noises from the speakers. The volume level was so excessive, I felt my ear drums were going to be damaged. This could have caused an accident if driving since the noise was so instant and loud. I had to turn off the vehicle to eliminate the noise. I read that several others have complained of this with no resolution yet. My vehicle is available for inspection. I have not notified my dealer or others yet since this occured in the evening. That was some minor static from the vehicle before this occurred. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle lurched and jerked. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 50,000 |
| Aug 2023 | 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 unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Since the recall was first issued on March 14, 2022, I contacted the local dealer 5 times (4 in person during normal maintenance and one by phone) to address the recall. Issues have happened continuously and the latest was on July 22nd, 2023. The dealer is: Joe Cooper Ford of Edmond - 600 W Memorial Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73114 - Phone: (405) 475-9000 Every time they stated they do not have the parts to perform the fix and they would contacted me once they received the part. This is over a year and I reported to them the erratic behavior of my wipers to no avail. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS | The rear axel bolt sheared off. I started to hear a rattle called ford to see when I could get my truck in to get it looked at. Got an appointment set up 2 months down the road was the soonest they could get me in. While waiting for that time truck stated to vibrate. I decided to try a tire rotation and I had the rear axel bolt drop to the ground. Not sure exactly when I started hearing the rattle. They safety was the tire could have come off while driving which could have caused an accident which could have caused injuries or death of my family or others. I called ford back they told me to have it towed in so they could look at it right away. So in 4 days my truck will be towed there for inspection. No warning lights about the bolt but I did have one about 4x4 would not engage back on 27/MAR/2023. Ford checked the axel and suspension. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | WHEELS | Rear passenger bolt that holds the hub was sheared off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | It's been back to Autonation dealership 3 times already, twice I had a appointment for this recall. After I get there, they tell me that they can't get the part until late this year. Went to a dealership in Texas they tell me the part is available put only to fleet and lease program trucks. My wiper are only working on the high setting. I drive a110 mile to work and back and never know when they are going to quit. The recall has been going on for 18 months. I asked them what happens if they quit completely. They just look at me and say we don't know. Can I use the Lemon Law for this | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while having the tires rotated, the mechanic became aware that the rear passenger’s side axle assembly needed to be replaced. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the rear passenger’s side axle bolt had sheared off and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Upon doing an oil change and tire rotation at the Ford dealer I was informed that the rear axle hub bolt had sheared off and was sitting lose at the end of the axle. Upon doing research I have found that many 2021 Ford 150s have had this problem and Ford knows about the problem but has not issued a recall. I am being told that Ford recommends that the axle and bolt be replaced. My dealer has no loaners available. Also, the dealer, Harris Ford in Lynnwood, WA, tells me the parts are back ordered and have no idea when the repair can be made. This is dangerous and Ford should have issued a recall. Now I have no use of my truck and no date that the repair can be completed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | Rear camera becomes inoperable which poses risk to others and myself. Screen just goes black. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Bought truck brand new. The axle bolt sheered off at 76k miles which is a common problem which ford has issued a service bulletin for repair. Ford claims my truck is not drivable due to the manufacture defect of the bolt either being cross threaded or overtightened from the factory. Ford is insisting I pay for the mistake even though it's a manufacture defect with a service bulletin for a repair. Ford is refusing to pay for the fix due to miles. Axles, axle shafts and axle bolts should not have to be replaced before the differential fluid does in the axle at 100k miles. They are claiming the extreme premature wear is my fault. The truck is bone stock. Ford case #CAS-43720120-D7H6Y6. Worst part is Ford dealership telling me claim was denied to only find out Ford approved the claim partially. The Ford dealership was trying to double dip on profits. Dealership is wade Ford.called up akins Ford in winder and they told me they would cover it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | With the cruise control set to a speed of around 60mph and with no other vehicles around, the truck accelerates (uncommanded) to some value over 71mph. This occurs randomly but is repeatable and has only started occurring within the past week. A definite safety concern. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | While driving, a warning light came on then the engine shut off. I was stranded in the middle of an extremely busy intersection. I could not put the windows up or in neutral to push it off the road. The hazard lights went to a very weak blinking that could not be seen. It was very dangerous to get out at the intersection. it was pouring rain and no one could see me. The truck had to be towed from the intersection to a dealer. Dealer allegedly identified the problem as a bad alternator that in turn damaged the battery. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | After recent software updates sent out by Ford, my rear view camera display freezes and sometimes displays a distorted image. The freezing image makes it difficult to judge the distance between the vehicle and objects behind it, and it can also give the driver the impression that the road behind them is clear when it is not. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Ford has a felt protective cover installed under the transmission to prevent debris from getting to the oil pan and catalytic converters. The cover needs to be removed to service the vehicles engine oil. The felt is secured with just bolts and over time the felt fails and starts to separate from the vehicle. This could dislodge from the vehicle while driving and cause potential bodily injuries to other vehicles or motorcycles This could also leave extremely hot catalytic converters exposed to grass or other flammables which could cause property damage or bodily injury There are hundreds of threads online about this issue. Most with in def descriptions and photos. I can compile this information and provide if needed. This part has failed twice on my vehicle with only 35,000 miles. I have concerns for my own safety as well as others. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | 2021 Ford F-150 is equipped with 360 camera system and a backup camera. The 360 camera system failed within the first year of service. This left only the backup camera functioning. The dealer attempted to fix the camera system and resulted in all cameras including the backup camera not working. One year later ford claimed to have a part to fix all of the cameras. When it arrived at the dealer they reported that the software needed updated and the process would take approximately 3 hours. The next day the story changed again. Now it didn't need the part and Ford was advising that the software upgrade would cause more problems and not fix the cameras. The vehicle is now 2 years with 19,000 mile and still covered by a bumper to bumper warranty. The backup camera is a required safety devise on all new vehicles. I have a young child who is at risk because of this failed safety devise. Dealer reports no known fix at this time. Vehicle has been inspected by Ford dealer. Ford refuses to provide a loan vehicle until problem is resolved. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |