2021 Ford F-150: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2021 Ford F-150
On the 2021 Ford F-150, the failure owners report most often is other powertrain problem, and the reports cluster around 60,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other driver assistance problem, reported by a median of 20,000 miles. Overall it scores 72 out of 100, high risk for a 2021.
High risk for a 2021 — 151st riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. 1,317 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 87 named failure modes on the 2021 Ford F-150, and the three most-reported carry 28% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other powertrain problem leads with 171 reports, about 0.6 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 20k to 80,000 miles.
Other electrical problem follows with 101 reports, usually reported between 9k to 80,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.
Other engine problem follows with 91 reports, usually reported between 6k to 60,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.
By system, the reports fall mostly into transmission (191), engine (150) and electrical (136).
The mileage the reports cluster at
265 of the reports on the 2021 Ford F-150 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 45,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 54% by 50,000 miles, 86% by 100,000 miles and 95% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 6 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 17% of the dated reports.
43% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
In the order they tend to show up: other driver assistance problem around 22k, infotainment screen failure around 24k, other visibility problem around 31k and other engine problem around 33k.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 87. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 6 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 18 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 8 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.38, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, other engine problem at $300–$4,000 and other visibility problem at $150–$1,400. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
29% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 171 | 34 | 20k | 61k | 81k | 0.6 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 101 | 20 | 9k | 35k | 82k | 0.3 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other engine problem | engine | 91 | 21 | 6k | 33k | 61k | 0.3 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 90 | 16 | 18k | 31k | 48k | 0.3 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 44 | 13 | 8k | 48k | 119k | 0.2 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 43 | 8 | 44k | 68k | 90k | 0.1 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 40 | 10 | 31k | 48k | 74k | 0.1 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 38 | 9 | 5k | 22k | 67k | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 31 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 31 | 7 | — | 35k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 29 | 5 | — | 33k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Wiper or washer failure | glass | 27 | 11 | 15k | 49k | 60k | 0.1 | $120–$800 | Moderate |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 24 | 8 | 11k | 24k | 32k | 0.1 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 23 | 1 | — | 9 | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 23 | 4 | — | 59k | — | 0.1 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other steering problem | steering | 22 | 5 | — | 130k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 19 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 19 | 2 | — | 26k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 17 | 2 | — | 10k | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 16 | 3 | — | 45k | — | 0.1 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 14 | 3 | — | 2k | — | 0.0 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 14 | 1 | — | 85k | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 12 | 6 | — | 50k | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 12 | 3 | — | 44k | — | 0.0 | $200–$900 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 11 | 6 | — | 24k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| CV axle or driveshaft failure | drivetrain | 11 | 6 | — | 80k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | High |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 11 | 4 | — | 9k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 11 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 11 | 3 | — | 47k | — | 0.0 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure | body | 10 | 5 | — | 55k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,500 | Moderate |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 9 | 3 | — | 76k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Overheating | cooling | 9 | 5 | — | 40k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Audio or connectivity failure | infotainment | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $150–$900 | Low |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Oil leak | engine | 7 | 3 | — | 60k | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Master cylinder or brake booster failure | brakes | 7 | 3 | — | 35k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | Critical |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 7 | 4 | — | 65k | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 6 | 1 | — | 153k | — | 0.0 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 6 | 2 | — | 15k | — | 0.0 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Brake line, hose or caliper failure | brakes | 6 | 1 | — | 47k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,600 | Critical |
| Door latch or handle failure | body | 6 | 2 | — | 149k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,200 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 6 | 1 | — | 62k | — | 0.0 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 5 | 3 | — | 3k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 5 | 2 | — | 86k | — | 0.0 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Software fault or failed update | software | 5 | 3 | — | 77k | — | 0.0 | $0–$600 | Moderate |
| Head gasket failure | engine | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,400–$4,000 | Critical |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 4 | 1 | — | 110k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Premature brake pad or rotor wear | brakes | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Air conditioning failure | hvac | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin | emissions | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | High |
| Engine bay fire | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $4,000–$20,000 | Critical |
| Turbocharger or supercharger failure | engine | 3 | 1 | — | 50k | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$4,500 | High |
| Water pump failure | cooling | 3 | 1 | — | 30k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,200 | High |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 3 | 1 | — | 60k | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Fuel injector failure | fuel | 3 | 1 | — | 55k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Tire pressure monitor failure | wheels | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $80–$600 | Low |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Lifter, cam or cylinder-deactivation failure | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,800–$7,000 | High |
| Thermostat failure | cooling | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| Cooling fan failure | cooling | 2 | 1 | — | 323k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Transmission slipping | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,200–$5,500 | High |
| Harsh or jerky shifting | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$4,000 | Moderate |
| CVT failure | transmission | 2 | 1 | — | 79k | — | 0.0 | $3,000–$8,500 | Critical |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 2 | 1 | — | 85k | — | 0.0 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| Fuel gauge or level sensor failure | fuel | 2 | 1 | — | 145k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Parking sensor failure | adas | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $180–$900 | Low |
| Rust or structural corrosion | body | 2 | 1 | — | 120k | — | 0.0 | $500–$6,000 | High |
| DPF, EGR or DEF system failure | emissions | 2 | 1 | — | 172k | — | 0.0 | $800–$5,000 | High |
| Manual clutch or hydraulics failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $900–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Fuel leak or fuel odor | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 98k | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Parasitic battery drain | electrical | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Engine sensor failure | electrical | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $180–$900 | Moderate |
| Air suspension failure | suspension | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $900–$4,500 | High |
| Wheel, stud or lug nut failure | wheels | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,500 | Critical |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Windshield cracking | glass | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Other seat belt problem | airbag | 1 | 1 | — | 76k | — | 0.0 | $200–$900 | High |
| Unclassified problem | other | 88 | 3 | — | 27k | — | 0.3 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2021 Ford F-150 draws about 4.5 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 84th percentile of complaint rates among 2021 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 290,233 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2021 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2021 model year
NHTSA has issued 29 recall campaigns covering the 2021 Ford F-150, affecting an estimated 1,459,815 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover back over prevention:software, power train:automatic transmission, electrical system: integrated trailer brake control and visibility:sun/moon roof assembly. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
47,587 vehicles 2026-07-28- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 and 2023-2026 F-250 SD vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence
- An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C37. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 31, 2026.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
741,195 vehicles 2026-06-24- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- Consequence
- Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
4,381,878 vehicles 2026-02-20- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated…
- Consequence
- Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
174,853 vehicles 2025-10-24- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2023 F-150, 2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
- Consequence
- A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
850,318 vehicles 2025-07-07- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
- Consequence
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
10 vehicles 2025-05-23- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature that were repaired incorrectly under recall 24V443. An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.
- Consequence
- Inoperative reverse lights may fail to alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S57.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
1,076,138 vehicles 2025-05-09- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Consequence
- A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
567 vehicles 2025-03-14- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-188. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.
- Consequence
- An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S24.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
10,952 vehicles 2025-02-28- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-193. Due to a software error, a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system may not brake.
- Consequence
- Loss of trailer brake functionality can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the integrated trailer brake control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S18.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
27,678 vehicles 2024-11-08- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence
- Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
90,736 vehicles 2024-08-23- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
- Consequence
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
159 vehicles 2024-06-14- Defect
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature. An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.
- Consequence
- Disabled reverse lights cannot alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 26, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S38.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2021 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
High risk for a 2021 — 151st riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 30 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1996 comes out best at 63 and 2007 worst at 80, with 2021 itself at 72.
If the model year is negotiable, 1996, 2004, 2005, 1999, 1998, 1997 and 2010 score lower than 2021 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2019–2027 generation specifically, 2025 is the strongest year at 69 and 2019 the weakest at 79.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2019-2027 generation, 2025 Ford F-150 scores best at 69 and 2019 Ford F-150 worst at 79.
Where to spend the inspection money
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other driver assistance problem from about 5k, other engine problem from about 6k, other body or interior problem from about 8k and other electrical problem from about 9k.
On a 2021 Ford F-150 with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other driver assistance problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.
What this page cannot tell you
1,317 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 1,317 reports, 265 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 20% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford F-150?
The most-reported failures are other powertrain problem (171 reports, median 60,000 miles), other electrical problem (101 reports, median 35,000 miles) and other engine problem (91 reports, median 35,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford F-150 problems start?
Other driver assistance problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 20,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 45,000 miles.
Is the 2021 Ford F-150 reliable?
It scores 72 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 151st riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2021 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Ford F-150 is best?
Within the 2019–2027 generation, 2025 scores best at 69 out of 100 and 2019 worst at 79. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed