Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2021 Ford EdgeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 114 owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Edge. Most complaints involve power train (38) and back over prevention (21). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–24mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Mar 2026
Owner complaints
114
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.

Back over preventionReported Mar 4, 2026NHTSA 26V124000

Back over prevention: software

Remedy pending

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.

Back over preventionReported May 9, 2025NHTSA 25V315000

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Edge vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-151. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank or distorted image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Back over preventionReported Mar 14, 2025NHTSA 25V160000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

114 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train38
  2. Back over prevention21
  3. Electrical system14
  4. Engine11
  5. Forward collision avoidance8
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Vehicle speed control5
  8. Visibility5
  9. Fuel/propulsion system4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Edge model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007989
20081,120
2009261
2010673
20111,803
20121,134
20132,446
2014383
2015731
2016926
20171,377
2018849
2019774
2020328
2021114
2022135
202323
202444
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

38 reports
“The transmission jerks VERY strongly when shifting gears between 5mph - 60mpg. It is so pronounced that it effects my foot on the pedals and could cause drivers to slam on the accelerator or brake. The vehicle has 90k miles on it and this issue has been happening for 10k miles or so. This is a KNOWN issue with the 8F35 transmission and needs to be a recall instead of a TSB that costs drivers $5k.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Power trainODI 11772380

Back over prevention

21 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Edge. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V124000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to perform the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the USB port needed to perform the software update was defective. The dealer did not provide the alternative option included in the recall remedy, which authorized an over-the-air (OTA) software update free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Back over preventionODI 11760227

Electrical system

14 reports
“The “fix” for the rear camera has not resolved the issue. My rear camera worked for a short time after the fix was downloaded, but then stopped working. I don’t know what to do to fix it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2026Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Back over preventionODI 11759598
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.7L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 8-spd · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Edge FWD
Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700369
Edge AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800383
Edge AWD
Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212823$2,800380
Edge AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
  • Edge FWD
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Edge AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Edge AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Edge AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Edge SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Edge SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 15419Vehicle 15374
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Edge questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Edge have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Ford Edge problems?

Owners filed 114 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (38), back over prevention (21), electrical system (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Ford Edge get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Ford Edge at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Ford Edge?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Ford Edge 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026