Complaint volume
942 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
942 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Ford F-150, grouped by component category.
942 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 211
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
942 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2021 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the transmission suddenly shifted to neutral and the vehicle would no longer accelerate. The vehicle began to roll forward and rolled off the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission and transfer case had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 2,000 |
| Nov 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | The standard trailer brake controller does not function. I have tried it on 2 known trailers that function with other trucks and this truck's does not work. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | TIRES | The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150 equipped with Pirelli Tires, Tire Line: Scorpion: Tire Size: 265/70/R17. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact had pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the driver’s side front tire was flat. The contact placed the spare tire on the vehicle and continued driving to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and the tire and diagnosed the failure as a split in the middle of the tire. The mechanic replaced all 4 tires on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage on the vehicle and tire was approximately 4,000. Vehicle has been repaired. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,000 |
| Oct 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | "Trailer disconnected" randomly pops up accompanied by a chime. Sometimes once a day, some times multiple times, time after time. Some times skipping a day. This is with NO trailer connected. Brought to the dealer with a code u0143 saying it is a network code and they cleared it and test drive it. But still happening. Had this truck not even 2 weeks and im not very happy to say the least. Never towed with it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | No Brake Controller on 2021 F150 with Class 4 trailer hitch as ordered and equipped from Ford as a new vehicle. I purchased and order a new 2021 Ford F150; truck was ordered with and equipped with a Class 4 trailer hitch; from my research, during early 2021 F150 production dates, Ford had no stock of trailer hitch brake controllers and placed a cheap, small coin holder where the brake controller was to be located; the wiring and connector for the brake controller is located in the dash, just behind this coin holder and is not connected to anything. The issue is that I have no trailer brakes whatsoever; when a trailer is attached to the vehicle hitch and the 7 pin trailer connector is connected to the 7 pin receptacle on the truck and when pulling that trailer and attempting to stop without a brake controller, the trailer will shove the truck forward; also, in a quick stop condition, the truck and trailer will begin to “Jack Knife”, thus causing a very unsafe and potentially fatal condition. When approaching the dealer from where I purchased my 2021 F150, I was informed that they were aware that those trucks that were assembled early in the production year were assembled without a brake controller; however, Ford is not retrofitting these vehicles with the missing brake controller but that I could, for a little more than $500, have a Ford controller installed in my truck by the dealer (the controller that should have been in place at the time the truck was assembled at the factory). Footnote: I am able to purchase a Ford brake controller from the Ford dealer and install it myself, except that unless the Ford dealer re-flashes the computer on the truck, the Ford controller that I installed still will not function, thus the $500 charged to install and re-flash a functional brake controller on a new 2021 Ford F150. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1. The passenger and drivers side modules were replaced by the dealership but the issues still persist and are available for inspection upon request. 2. Safety could be at risk. Reverse Brake Assist error issue could potentially cause a small child or person to be in danger if sensors are not working or cause an accident. 3. It has been reproduced and verified by the dealer. The dealer is Sill-Terhar Motors in Broomfield, CO. 4. The passenger and drivers side rear modules were replaced by the dealership, but the issues still persist. 5. The system failure messages did appear at the time of failure. They started appearing approximately a week after we purchased the truck. First warning is logged in the FordPass app on June 13, 2021 I get three warnings pretty consistently when the system fails. So far the FordPass app has over100 error messages regarding my issue. The warning messages all show up at the same time. They are usually: 1. Blind Spot System Fault 2. Cross Traffic System Fault 3. Reverse Brake Assist Not Available See Manual (even though it IS turned on) 4. Hill Start Assist Error occurs as well 5. Sometimes when I am in reverse and these go off and I then brake with the foot pedal, the electronic emergency brake engaged without any manual intervention. First 3 errors have happened while reversing AND while driving in normal city street and highway speeds. Taking into the dealer to have it looked at again on Nov. 4, 2021. Issues started 06/13/2021 and continue to present (as of this writing 10/25/2021). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 |