2021 Ford F-150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,000 owner complaints analyzed
29 distinct recall campaigns
45,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 216 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 300 of 1,000 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 166 | 16.6% |
| Braking behavior | 128 | 12.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 65 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 51 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 50 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 32 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 300 |
| Electrical System | 117 |
| Exterior Lighting | 101 |
| Unknown Or Other | 92 |
| Engine | 81 |
| Visibility | 66 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 56 |
| Service Brakes | 52 |
Power Train: 300; Electrical System: 117; Exterior Lighting: 101; Unknown Or Other: 92; Engine: 81; Visibility: 66; Visibility/Wiper: 56; Service Brakes: 52
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 62 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 57 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 48 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 34 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 62; 25,000 to 49,999: 57; 50,000 to 74,999: 48; 75,000 to 99,999: 34; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (62). 784 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 46 |
| 2022 | 103 |
| 2023 | 178 |
| 2024 | 130 |
| 2025 | 303 |
| 2026 | 240 |
2021: 46; 2022: 103; 2023: 178; 2024: 130; 2025: 303; 2026: 240
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 166 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 128 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 65 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11422207 · 2021-06-24 (June 24, 2021)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424095 · 2021-07-09 (July 9, 2021)
Transmission in truck shudders and does not down shift in maneuvers required to avoid some near miss situations.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415394 · 2021-05-06 (May 6, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE DELAYED IN ACTIVATING, CAUSING THE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SEVERAL MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALERTED THE DRIVER THAT THE HILL ASSIST, COLLISION AVOIDANCE, AND DRIVE MODE FUNCTIONS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JIM B…
Owner-reported narrative. 660 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11417695 · 2021-05-18 (May 18, 2021)
While attempting to drive the vehicle out of the driveway the brake pedal and went all the way to the floor and the vehicle would not stop. Then, after approximately 10 to 15 feet the brakes locked up completely. The ABS fault light, hill descent control not available light, and pre-collision assist not available light all were flashing on the dash. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership was able to confirm the issue and has determined that there was an issue with the brake booster.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11417695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11396449 · 2021-02-16 (February 16, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11396449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426192 · 2021-07-23 (July 23, 2021)
Phantom dead battery truck died
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11434627 · 2021-09-28 (September 28, 2021)
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 d…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11458998 · 2022-03-30 (March 30, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist and became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that several warning messages appeared on the instrument panel as he had stopped the vehicle on the highway shoulder. The contact was able to drive to dealer where he was informed that the failure was a commonly known issue. He was informed that the wiring underneath the engine was soy based and had been eaten up by rodents and other outdoor creatures. The conta…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11458998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425772 · 2021-07-21 (July 21, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505497 · 2023-02-04 (February 4, 2023)
I Have owned my 2021 F150 less than 2 weeks. I purchased the car with 200 mile on it. I was pulling out of a parking lot tonight and heard a clunk. 50 feet later the engine quit and there was a strong fuel smell and something was scraping on the pavement. We got out of the car and there was a big puddle of fuel under the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the front fuel tank bracket was unhooked from the right side and the front of the fuel tank was resting on the pavement. The fuel tube connection at the front of the gas tank was sheared …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11505497 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11634780 · 2025-01-08 (January 8, 2025)
Ford Motor Company has issued a safety recall, identified by letter NEF-107DG and recall number 24V-957, due to the potential failure of the CP4 fuel pump in certain vehicle models. The recall affects the following makes, models, and model years: FORD/F-250 SD (2020-2022), FORD/F-350 SD (2020-2022), FORD/F-450 SD (2020-2022), FORD/F-550 SD (2020-2022), FORD/F-600 SD (2020-2022), FORD/F-650 (2021-2022), and FORD/F-750 (2021-2022). This action addresses concerns that the CP4 pump may fail prematurely, potentially leading to engine stalling and in…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11634780 at NHTSA ↗