"How reliable is the 2021 Ford F-150?"

"Based on 1138 NHTSA complaints, the 2021 Ford F-150 has a median complaint mileage of 40000 miles. The most common issue is Power Train."

"What are common problems with the 2021 Ford F-150?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Ford F-150 is Power Train, accounting for a significant portion of the 1138 total complaints filed."

2021 Ford F-150: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1138 complaints

1138

Total Complaints

40,000mi

Median Mileage

Power Train

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

17,250 25th Percentile

40,000 Median Mileage

62,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Power Train

236

Electrical System

102

Unknown Or Other

Exterior Lighting

Engine

Visibility

Visibility/Wiper

Service Brakes

Steering

Wheels

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"MY BACKUP CAMERA DISPLAY ON THE DASH IS HAZY AND GREY, SIMILAR TO THE ISSUE FORD HAS WITH THE 2020 MODEL YEAR."

"IF THE TRUCK SITS FOR MORE THAN 2 DAYS THE BATTERY WILL BE DEAD AND UNABLE TO BE JUMPSTARTED WITH JUMP PACKS. HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED IT WAS SO DEAD ALREADY."

"TRUCK DOES NOT DETECT SPECIFICALLY SILVER FORD CARS WHEN AUTO PARKING. IT WILL TRY TO PARK IN THE SAME SPOT AS THEM ON SUNNY DAYS."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Power Train 236 complaints

25th: 28,750 mi Median: 53,000 mi 75th: 78,000 mi

Electrical System 102 complaints

25th: 10,000 mi Median: 27,500 mi 75th: 63,856 mi

Exterior Lighting 78 complaints

Median: 55,000 mi

Engine 71 complaints

25th: 3,758 mi Median: 18,474 mi 75th: 50,000 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

TX: 131 FL: 96 CA: 62 MI: 54 PA: 53 GA: 51 OH: 41 NY: 40 CO: 34 WI: 33

Who Files Complaints?

0.7%

Original Owners

99.3%

Second+ Owners

Ford F-150 — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1990	25	76,696	Fuel/Propulsion System	0
1991	357	110,000	Tank Assembly	12
1992	553	130,325	Selector Devices	25
1993	753	140,000	Tank Assembly	32
1994	908	130,000	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	79
1995	788	117,000	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	61
1996	383	113,250	Cruise Control	22
1997	3285	108,000	Engine	205
1998	1624	112,337	Fuel System, Gasoline	96
1999	1322	98,000	Engine	116
2000	1269	91,032	Fuel System, Gasoline	102
2001	1451	98,000	Vehicle Speed Control	113
2002	963	90,000	Engine And Engine Cooling	63
2003	520	64,266	Electrical System	57
2004	2429	59,312	Power Window Devices And Controls	99
2005	1363	62,000	Power Window Devices And Controls	66
2006	735	62,000	Engine	72
2007	623	60,000	Engine	51
2008	455	60,346	Engine	48
2009	397	53,500	Vehicle Speed Control	34
2010	1131	56,183	Electrical System	33
2011	2938	68,500	Power Train	70
2012	2422	59,000	Power Train	57
2013	3849	72,000	Power Train	102
2014	1859	64,000	Power Train	56
2015	2036	48,000	Service Brakes	64
2016	2373	42,000	Power Train	67
2017	1595	46,500	Power Train	47
2018	2627	38,000	Power Train	104
2019	1532	59,142	Power Train	30
2020	797	33,000	Power Train	30
2022	702	25,000	Power Train	29
2023	494	18,614	Power Train	25
2024	195	3,700	Exterior Lighting	25
2025	112	6,500	Power Train	7

Active Recalls (27)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Driveshaft

Campaign 21V986000 | 16/12/2021

A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S56.

Critical Fasteners

Campaign 21V090000 | 18/02/2021

In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C06.

Side Impact

Campaign 21V805000 | 15/10/2021

An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C26.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Campaign 21V533000 | 15/07/2021

Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 28, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S33.

Webbing

Campaign 21V653000 | 23/08/2021

A misrouted seatbelt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Owners are advised to perform a preliminary self-inspection of the front seatbelts. If the passenger-side seatbelt fails inspection, owners should not use the passenger seat until the repair is performed. If the driver-side seatbelt fails inspection, owners should not drive their vehicle until the

Driveshaft

Campaign 21V381000 | 24/05/2021

Driveshaft separation may result in a sudden loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect the driveshaft, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S25.

Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)

Campaign 21V407000 | 29/05/2021

Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the repair is complete. Vehicles will be towed in for service, and dealers will remove and replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7

Motor

Campaign 22V142000 | 11/03/2022

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S12.

Integrated Trailer Brake Control

Campaign 22V193000 | 25/03/2022

Loss of trailer brake functionality could result in extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will update the integrated trailer brake control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S17.

Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

Campaign 22V188000 | 25/03/2022

An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.

Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 12, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S15.

Linkages

Campaign 22V250000 | 14/04/2022

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Own

Storage

Campaign 22V414000 | 10/06/2022

An improperly attached fuel tank increases the risk of a fuel leak and potential for fire.

Dealers will inspect and repair (if necessary) the fuel tank strap bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S42.

Driveshaft

Campaign 22V623000 | 12/08/2022

Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft, as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 1, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S53.

Motor

Campaign 22V842000 | 15/11/2022

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2023. Remedy parts are expected in the 3rd Quarter of 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S71. This recall expa

Linkages

Campaign 23V163000 | 10/03/2023

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S10. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-250.

Electrical

Campaign 23V509000 | 21/07/2023

Unexpected activation of the electric parking brake while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Dealers will install a protective tie strap, tape wrap, and replace the harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S35.

Axle Hubs

Campaign 23V896000 | 22/12/2023

Damaged axle hub splines can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of drive power. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S65.

Software

Campaign 24V443000 | 14/06/2024

Disabled reverse lights cannot alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Campaign 24V635000 | 23/08/2024

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

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.

Labels

Campaign 24V852000 | 08/11/2024

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.

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.

Integrated Trailer Brake Control

Campaign 25V132000 | 28/02/2025

Loss of trailer brake functionality can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

Campaign 25V169000 | 14/03/2025

An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Software

Campaign 25V315000 | 14/05/2025

A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

Back Up Lights

Campaign 25V348000 | 23/05/2025

Inoperative reverse lights may fail to alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Fuel Pump

Campaign 25V455000 | 07/07/2025

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

The remedy is under development. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 16, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated 2nd Quarter 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this reca

Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

Campaign 25V729000 | 24/10/2025

A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

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 t

Integrated Trailer Brake Control

Campaign 26V104000 | 20/02/2026

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.

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 are expected to be mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicl

Extend Your Transmission Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately

Compare Ford F-150

vs Chevrolet Silverado 1500 →

Vehicle Rankings

Most complained Worst transmissions Worst engines Worst brakes Most crashes Compare vehicles

Looking for a replacement?

Based on the data above, here are relevant options.

2021 Ford F-150 parts on Amazon

→

Affiliate link

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28