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2021 Ford F-150 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
50% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2021 Ford F-150 are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 64% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 124 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 45%).
Does the 2021 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 574 of 1,153 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford F-150 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (50%), and the largest group is filed under power train (438). For comparison, the 2020 scores 62% and the 2022 scores 40%. On a test drive, check for shuddering, slipping, delayed or harsh shifts, or a whine at speed. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2021 compares with other Ford F-150 years
Of the 14 Ford F-150 years with enough complaints to score, the 2021 is the 7th-best on engine and transmission share (50%). The worst is the 2019 (76%), the best the 2015 (34%). By volume, the 2021 drew 1,277 complaints (574 drivetrain), against 550 for the 2020 and 807 for the 2022.
Ford F-150 years to avoid and best years →
2010 F-150 problems · 2011 F-150 problems · 2012 F-150 problems · 2013 F-150 problems · 2014 F-150 problems · 2015 F-150 problems · 2016 F-150 problems · 2017 F-150 problems · 2018 F-150 problems · 2019 F-150 problems · 2020 F-150 problems · 2021 · 2022 F-150 problems · 2023 F-150 problems
The rest of the picture on the 2021 Ford F-150
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2021 Ford F-150 said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical transmission repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 574 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2021 Ford F-150 engine and transmission recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns on the 2021 Ford F-150 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 29 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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…
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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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…
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.
Risk: An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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…
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.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
Risk: 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…
Fix: 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…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling one 2021 F-150 vehicle. A single vehicle may have been assembled without a fuel tank front attachment resulting in an unsecured fuel tank attachment strap.
Risk: An improperly attached fuel tank increases the risk of a fuel leak and potential for fire.
Fix: 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…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.
Risk: An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
Risk: 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…
Fix: 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…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in driveshaft separation.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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…
19 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2021 Ford F-150? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2021 Ford F-150
Does the 2021 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 574 of 1,153 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford F-150 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (50%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the transmission and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Ford F-150?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2021 Ford F-150 is power train: 438 of 1,277 complaints (34%) name it, followed by electrical system (171) and exterior lighting (116). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2021 Ford F-150 reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 50% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 64% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Ford F-150 years we score, it ranks 7th-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Ford F-150?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns on the 2021 Ford F-150 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 29 in total: 26V402000 (power train: automatic transmission), 25V455000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump), 25V169000 (power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)), and more. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford F-150 years are better?
Among the Ford F-150 years we track, the 2010 (34%), the 2015 (34%) and the 2014 (39%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2021 (50%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-f-150
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 6 body styles NHTSA files separately.