Problems · by component
2021 Ford F-150 service brakes problems
54 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2021 Ford F-150 cite service brakes, 5% of all 1,042 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
54
5% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the service brakes
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“ABS Control module and brake booster assembly failed. Vehicle would not crank or start. Disconnected battery negative pole for one minute to reset PCM. Vehicle started. Drove immediately to independent service center without difficulty. Service center confirmed vehicle no start the next morning. Found several DTC codes including U3001 (Control Module Improper Shutdown) U300A (Ignition switch) U0121 (Lost communication with ABS) U0554 (Invalid Data recieved from Accessory Protocol Interface) and U0415 (Invalid Data Received from ABS) Flowchart determined ABS module is bad. Anti Lock Brake System control module failed which rendered the system inoperative. Warning on dash that Anti Lock Brake System failed was prominent among other warnings. (Traction Control, Service Needed, Door Ajar (was closed), Hood ajar (was closed) Assembly was replaced and ABS module reprogrammed by independent service center. They retained the bad assembly.”
“THIS TRUCK THAT I HAVE PURCHASED FROM PALM COAST FORD HAS A RECALL EVERY MONTH THAT KEEPS ME FROM UTILIZING THE VEHICLE. THE LATEST RECALL THAT THERE IS NOT A FIX FOR YET, I WAS TOLD IS A COMPLETE RISK AND I SHOULD NOT EVEN DRIVE THE TRUCK. I REQUEST THAT YOU LOOK INTO ALL OF THE RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN LISTED ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND KNOW THAT I AM TAKING THIS UP WITH FORD, BUT ALSO WANTED TO INFORM YOUR DATABASE OF THE ISSUES AS WELL. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE TRUCK FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN RECALL AFTER RECALL AND THIS ONE THERE IS NOT EVEN A FIX FOR IT TILL NEXT YEAR, AND I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO EVEN DRIVE IT CAUSE IT IS HAZARDOUS.”
“My 2021 Ford F-150 intermittently displays the warning message “Reverse Brake Assist Not Available – See Manual” when the vehicle is placed in reverse. When this message appears, the reverse brake assist / parking collision warning feature is not available, which may reduce safety while backing up. The vehicle was inspected by a Ford dealership. The dealership confirmed DTC U3000:49 in the IPMA module and identified Ford TSB 23-2040 as applicable to the concern. The dealer stated that the repair requires an IPMA software/module update and calibration. The quoted repair cost was approximately $1,100. This appears to be a software/programming-related condition affecting a driver assistance and brake-related safety feature, not normal wear and tear or a failed mechanical component. The warning is intermittent, but it has appeared multiple times. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. No crash, injury, or fire has occurred. Ford Customer Support was contacted and case number XXX was opened. Ford advised that no active warranty, recall, or customer satisfaction program currently provides repair cost coverage, and that because this involves Reverse…”
“When I'm driving my truck, usually when I have come to a stop on an incline, the parking/emergency brake will engage on its own. For example, most recently I was pulling out of a driveway with an incline. I was stopped at the bottom of the driveway to wait for the roadway to clear before I pulled out. When I hit the gas to go, the rear wheels skidded and the truck came to a stop in the oncoming traffic lane. I looked at the dashboard and saw that the parking brake symbol was on, indicating that the parking brake had engaged. I did not engage the parking brake- the truck did it on it's own.”
“THERE IS A WARNING ON MY DASH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE: REVERSE BRAKE ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE SEE MANUAL. THIS CONCERN HAS A TSB ATTACHED TO IT. MY CONCERN IS THAT GIVEN THE SAFETY NATURE OF THIS CONCERN AFFECTING F150S AND FORD MUSTANGS; THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND NOT THE CONSUMER. FORD WILL REPAIR, HOWEVER, INVOICE THE CUSTOMER FOR THE COST WHICH I DO NOT AGREE WITH. I AM NOT CERTAIN HOW MANY VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED OR IF IT RISES TO THE OCCASION OF A SAFETY RECALL; BUT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. THANK YOU!”
“1. Electrical System Failure: While traveling on highway, alternator failed suddenly within 2 minutes of “service soon” and “check electrical system” warnings. Caused complete loss of motive power, electronic parking brake locked up while driving, loss of power steering, all gauges failed, transmission shifted into park while in motion. Battery was damaged (“fried”). Engine continued running for several minutes after stop without ability to shut off ignition. Incident documented by Ohio State Highway Patrol. 2. Seat Belt Issue: Driver-side seat belt interlock sticks in unlocked position, creating risk of failure to lock during a crash. 3. Electronic Parking Brake: Intermittently engages while vehicle is moving downhill to a stop (mostly at or below 5 mph). Parking brake light flashes three times then turns solid while in motion. Ford TSB indicates vehicle not eligible for related recall. 4. Infotainment System: Intermittently freezes, requiring forced reboot. Preceded by audio glitches, laggy dash computerized systems. 5. Transmission: Severe clunk and physical jolt when decelerating from ~30 mph to 8 mph. Also occurs during acceleration, particularly upshifts…”
Showing 6 of 54 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.