NHTSA lists 29 safety recalls and 1,042 owner complaints for the 2021 Ford F-150. Most complaints involve power train (322) and electrical system (131). The EPA rates it 19–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The steering gear may have internal damage, which could result in difficulty steering, or the inability to rotate the steering wheel while driving.
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."
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each F-150 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 360 |
| 1997 | 2,855 |
| 1998 | 1,418 |
| 1999 | 1,121 |
| 2000 | 1,206 |
| 2001 | 1,340 |
| 2002 | 955 |
| 2003 | 464 |
| 2004 | 2,036 |
| 2005 | 1,121 |
| 2006 | 589 |
| 2007 | 492 |
| 2008 | 369 |
| 2009 | 324 |
| 2010 | 851 |
| 2011 | 2,137 |
| 2012 | 1,717 |
| 2013 | 2,796 |
| 2014 | 1,362 |
| 2015 | 1,425 |
| 2016 | 1,798 |
| 2017 | 1,148 |
| 2018 | 1,929 |
| 2019 | 1,021 |
| 2020 | 562 |
| 2021 | 1,042 |
| 2022 | 605 |
| 2023 | 419 |
| 2024 | 195 |
| 2025 | 119 |
| 2026 | 0 |
“My 2021 F-150 PowerBoost hybrid repeatedly lost propulsion while traveling on the highway in early October 2026, including four incidents on one trip around October 3. At approximately highway speed, the tachometer dropped to zero while the selector remained in D, and the truck coasted as if in neutral. There were harsh shifts around 9th/10th gear and difficulty accelerating beyond approximately 70 mph. A vehicle warning appeared. Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery temporarily restored operation. Sudden loss of drive power in highway traffic created a collision risk. The underlying cause has not been independently established. A Ford dealer's October 2026 inspection recorded an internal transmission hydraulic leak, clutch-disconnect trouble codes suggesting a hybrid drive unit concern, a recommendation to replace the transmission with the hybrid drive unit, and high-voltage battery cell-balance DTCs. More recently electric-driving mileage has remained at zero and the gasoline engine continues running while stationary. Severe shifting and vibration had varied between 2H and 4A modes. Around June 2025 the vehicle also stopped operating and was towed to…”
“While driving truck, it had an electrical fritz that caused the car to become undrivable, with systems not responding. when stopped to power cycle, the car would accessory on but not attempt to start. the horn would go off randomly. was able to manually put the truck into neutral and push into a safe spot, at what point a battery clear was attempted with no results, and required towing to dealership where water had intruded into the BCM”
“Daytime running LED quad headlight system. the vertical led on the front passenger front headlights is out. Dealer said cost is $2000.00 to fix. have to replace whole assembly.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F150 Pickup 2WD HEV Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 25 | 26 | 25 | $2,550 | 349 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $4,100 | 446 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 406 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.3 L, SIDI & PFI; FFV · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 424 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 432 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 437 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L, SIDI & PFI; FFV · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 446 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 445 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 445 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV Auto (S10), 8 cyl, 5.0 L, SIDI & PFI; FFV · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 463 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
29 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.
Owners filed 1,042 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (322), electrical system (131), exterior lighting (116). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2021 Ford F-150 at 19–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Ford F-150 5 out of 5 stars overall.