Complaint volume
911 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
911 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ford F-150, grouped by component category.
911 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
911 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driving down a steep mountain road when a passing vehicle tripped the pre collision alarm while vehicle was being braked. The ABS, Traction Control, Brake, and just about all other visual alarms went off and the vehicle lost the brakes. the emergency brake would come on and lock up the rear tires then release rendering the vehicle unable to stop going down the steep road. Vehicle came close to crashing into other vehicles multiple times while trying to come to a stop. Vehicle was brought to a Ford dealership where the issue was verified. Dealer noted no recalls or TSB's on this vehicle. Dealer cleared the faults and test drove the vehicle and said the issue is now gone. Vehicle was in the process of being driven home when another vehicle in front slowed and tripped the pre collision sensor again and again all alarms came on and the brakes were lost. The vehicle in front was almost collided with. Contacted Ford customer service to report the issue. Ford cs said to tow the vehicle to an authorized ford dealership and call back to open a case file. Vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership awaiting service. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | EQUIPMENT,SERVICE BRAKES | when connecting my truck to a know working trailer the truck would not enable the trailer brakes. tried different vehicle and the brakes work fine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and jerked forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued driving to his residence. The failure recurred several times. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a communication error between the gear shifter and the transmission causing the transmission to not know what gear the vehicle was in. The dealer informed the contact that there was no fix for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200. | Crash: No Fire: No | 200 |
| Sep 2021 | STEERING,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES | I was pulling into my spot at work and the power steering assist light and pre collision assist lights cam on along with advance trac. At this point I had no power steering. Luckily I was basically stopped. I cycled the key on and off twice and it finally went back to normal. Then later that same day I started the truck up and proceeded to leave from work and the seatbelt restraint light, abs system, and tpms stopped working and I was notified of the faults via ford pass. The lights then went away right after. I have a service apt 9/29 at the dealer to see what is going on but I’d like to get this documented in case it becomes a recurring issue. Thanks | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | I make a panic stop with my 5,000 lb boat, ABS light came on break light came on flashing warning light said to inspect brakes. Moved truck and found I had only partial breaking, carefully drove home with partial breaking.. At home all lights went out and brakes worked fine. Took to dealer they said a sensor went bad and they ordered part will be here in a few days. Truck only has 7500 miles on it, replacing a sensor does not fix the problem of a sensor that can at any time go bad again. This is a major design flaw similar to the original 121 brakes on trucks. This is going to get someone killed . There is no reason to install a sensor that can disable any part of the breaking system. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was standing next to my vehicle, which was parked and had not been driven for 2 days, and the rear windshield exploded. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | On multiple occasions my ABS system doesn’t work (no collision assist fault and ABS fault comes on). Brakes don’t work without great force when this happens. Ford service saw the errors in history but said couldn’t fix / find current issue. This is intermittent so active fault lights and issue come and go. Dangerous condition that Ford isn’t addressing! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that from the time the vehicle was delivered to him, the brake pedal had been making abnormal loud clicking sounds when depressed. The contact also stated that the brake booster had been making abnormal sounds whenever he depressed the brake pedal. The contact stated that the failures would occur while driving above 15-20 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake pedal needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who diagnosed that the brake booster assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who informed the contact that they could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V533000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100. | Crash: No Fire: No | 100 |
| Sep 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | On September17. 2021, on my way to work my vehicle suddenly accelerated as I was merging into highway traffic in a construction zone. I repeatedly applied hard pressure to the brake pedal. Each time I released pressure, the vehicle surged ahead and immediately reached high speeds. After several attempts to regain control of my vehicle, I finally reached an exit point in the construction zone, pulled over and turned off the ignition. I removed the key from the ignition and after 60 seconds, reinserted it. The engine rpms idled normally when I restarted the vehicle and I proceeded to my destination. Returning home that afternoon and while driving through a different construction zone - my vehicle for the second time in one day unexpectedly accelerated and ran "wide-open" with the foot off the gas pedal and hard braking being applied. I shifted to neutral and was able to pull off the expressway. This time, I shut off the vehicle, but didn't remove the key from the ignition. When I restarted the engine 30 seconds later - the truck immediately surged forward at full rpms. I plan to have this vehicle towed from my residence to my dealership and have not driven it since September 17, 2021. I do not use the cruise control option provided on this vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | While pulling a trailer, truck stops recognizing trailer brake connection without warning. Driver only notices truck brakes are no longer working because trailer is pushing truck while stopping. All other trailer connections, lights, turn signals, are working. When applying trailer brakes from truck controller, truck message says no trailer connected. This problem is intermittent and unpredictable. Sometimes it can be corrected by reconnecting 7 pin adapter but sometimes this does not work and the truck battery has to be disconnected and reconnected. Online forums show this to be a common problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The front wipers failed to work properly. It is available for inspection, but scheduled to be fixed. We have actual video of it not working properly before it stopped working completely. Our safety was put at risk. We were driving on 94E in Montana when it started raining. The wipers were working and then suddenly stopped. We were doing 64mph and were passed by trucks which splashed more water on the windshield. Once it stopped raining we drove to the nearest Ford dealer - All American Ford - Glendive Montana where a Tech tried to help but was unable to resolve the issue. We had to stop driving for the night and wait for the storm to pass. We had 2 kids in the car and were trailering a 21ft camper. We nearly crashed after the trucks splashed water all over the windshield. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The back up camera works intermittently. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | Vehicle was purchased new 06/08/2021. Since that time it has been back to the dealer 4 times with 3 being for repairs to the problem. There is a crunching / clanging sound every time a turn is made on an incline or decline. The vehicle has been inspected and gone over with body bolts loosened and re-tightened to factory specs to no solution. It was taken back again and now the dealer thinks it is something with the springs. The truck has been with the dealer a total or 27 days as of this date. ( 08-21-2021 ) and repair attempted 3 times. The dealer is not sure if springs are the problem, just chasing possibilities down. I have a loaner which myself and my wife heard the same noise starting. We feel unsafe with this vehicle and Ford seems to be passing the buck although the dealer rep believes it is time for a buy back. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | VISIBILITY | Tow mirrors were provided by ford OEM ML3Z17696CA The side marker lights will not function on the new 2021 models due to inability to program them. Ford dealerships do not know how to program them. They said there is no official documentation on how to do this. This is a safety concern as these are large tow mirrors that extend far out on the sides of the vehicle. At night they require side marker lights. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | ENGINE | I purchased the truck early 2021. After about 6500 miles, upon starting the vehicle a warning message to the effect of "Oil Level Low, Add Oil" appeared. After manually checking my oil dipstick, I found the oil level to be below the safe oil line. I promptly took the truck to the Ford Dealership in which I purchased it. The service technician informed me of one other case he has personally experienced where the PCV system was defective, allowing an excessive amount of oil to be consumed. Ford was unable to receive my vehicle for service for 1-2 weeks due to a full service schedule. It was at this point I attempted to go to a 3rd party vendor for an oil change. That vendor checked my oil level and confirmed the reading was below the safe oil line. They advised I return to Ford. Concern for my safety and the continued safe operation of the vehicle, I requested the 3rd party vendor to add a quart of oil. In the end, it took 2 quarts of oil to return the oil level to a safe operating zone. I then promptly returned to Ford and spoke to the service department manager. They will accomplish and oil change and return the vehicle to me to perform an oil consumption test over the course of approximately 1,000-1,500 miles, before returning to Ford for further evaluation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Phantom dead battery truck died | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | At random times the idle is very rough and the truck has stalled out 2 times at traffic lights. (Auto start) was disabled so it should not have turned off at all. If I give it just 100 more RPM it seems to be issue free. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2021 FORD F150. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WINDSHIELD SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 21S28/NHTSA RECALL 21V407. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE AND IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE RENTAL VEHICLE AVAILABLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | POWER TRAIN | Transmission in truck shudders and does not down shift in maneuvers required to avoid some near miss situations. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | This vehicle was purchased NEW from the dealer with this OPEN SAFETY RECALL. This is a violation of 49 USC 30120(i) Sale and delivery of un-remedied, recalled vehicles. The dealership told us in person on the date of purchase that there were NO open recalls on the vehicle, safety or otherwise. In the event of an accident this defect could pose harm not only to the occupants but innocent bystanders. This NEW vehicle was purchased for its safety and reliability, not to be exposed to risk and neglect. This dealership needs to be investigated for breaking federal regulations and exposing me, my family, as well as others, to unnecessary risk. There were at least two other customers whom the dealership was contacting to inform them of the recall AFTER they purchased their new vehicle. It is my opinion that there are likely many others as well. I have all the sale documentation for my vehicle ready to add to this complaint. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | POWER TRAIN | On June 23rd while driving my 2021 XL SuperCrew with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, the engine quit while I was driving about 30mph. I pushed the accelerator slightly intending to accelerate to 35mph and when the truck downshifted, the engine stalled, and I think the transmission tried to move to park. I got a notification of parking brake error on the dash and started hearing a ticking/clicking noise while still rolling, now down a hill. I moved the column shifter to neutral and it didn't do anything to stop the ticking. I pulled onto the shoulder and slowed down and, and as I neared stopping, the truck finished shifting into park and it jolted to a stop. I then saw a bunch of other errors like engine coolant too hot, stability control disabled, and forward collision warning disabled. There may have been others but I don't recall. The tachometer was frozen showing roughly 2000 rpm until I turned the key to off. Then the dash said to be careful exiting because the parking brake wasn't on. After turning the key to off, I restarted it, the lights on the dash cleared, and I was able to shift to drive, and make it home 3 min later. There are no lights on the dash, so I'm hoping this can still diagnosed at this point. The truck has 793 miles on it as it sits now. The soonest service appointment I have been able to make is for July 8th, but the dealer won't guarantee that it will be seen then. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | STRUCTURE | The 2021 F150 active air dam does not function properly. The top stationary piece becomes lodged inside of the bottom retractable part every time it opens and closes. It's becoming weaker and loosely attached to the vehicle. I'm afraid one day driving it will completely fall off and fly into another vehicle's line of sight causing damage or a wreck. The dealer I went to service advisor called it a "wrinkle" like it was a joke to him and I should just deal with it. He supposedly put in a "TSB" but never calls me back when I ask about it. I need it replaced or repaired. It makes me extremely nervous. There are multiple threads complaining about it so it's not just a one truck issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The rear window shattered after closing a door on my 2021 F-15 XLT. It was 68 degrees, 11am and the truck was parked in the shade. There's approximately 3800 miles on the odometer. There was no one in the truck. The window blew out onto the tonneau cover. I have a call into my insurance and have yet to have it inspected by either the insurance or the Ford dealer, as it happened on a Saturday. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the brakes failed on two separate occasions. The first failure occurred while the contact was driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway. Several unknown warning lights were flashing however, the warning lights self-adjusted. The second time the failure recurred, the vehicle was parked. While attempting to start-up the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. After the failure, while driving 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The ABS activated and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the trailer brake module had failed. The vehicle was repaired but remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,900. | Crash: No Fire: No | 2,900 |
| May 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Antilock brake fault Hill start assist warning Pre collision assist not available | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |