Reliability report · 2021 Ford F-150 · Updated July 2026
First year of the 14th generation, and it holds the recall record in our data: 27 campaigns, including a do-not-drive steering recall, three driveshaft campaigns, and an engine-replacement recall for 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost intake valves. Complaint volume nearly doubled versus 2020.
A 2021 with every recall done can be a fine truck — but the burden of proof is on the seller.
Evidence: 926 NHTSA complaints · 27 recall campaigns · 5 mechanic & forum sources
Canary status
Squawking
What that means: The recall record in our data — including a do-not-drive steering campaign and an engine-replacement campaign. A fully documented truck can be fine; an undocumented one is a gamble.
926
Federal complaints
27
Recalls
Engine replacement
Missed and failed out of coverage
$0
Recall cycle test and remedy
Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.
Intake valves can break and destroy the engine — recall 24V-635, born from federal investigation EA23002. Dealers run an engine cycle test and replace engines that fail it, free. On any 2.7 or 3.0 truck, confirm this test happened: it is the difference between a free engine and a catastrophic failure.
What to check
Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.
Dark brownDamage underway.
Recall cycle test and remedy
$0
Missed and failed out of coverage
Engine replacement
Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2021 F-150 · Mechanic channel and owner signal (14th-gen F-150)
The 10-speed can suddenly shift to neutral from a false low-fluid-pressure code (recall 22V-188; botched fixes were re-recalled as 25V-169). Power train remains the top complaint category for this year. Any hesitation, loss of power, or neutral event on the test drive is disqualifying.
Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2021 F-150 · Mechanic channel and owner signal (14th-gen F-150)
$0
Recall software remedy
Three campaigns: two-piece driveshaft assembly errors (21V-381) and underbody insulators contacting the aluminum driveshaft (21V-986, expanded as 22V-623). A fractured driveshaft causes loss of power or loss of control. Verify all three by VIN.
$0
Recall remedies
Recall 21V-407 was severe enough that Ford told owners to stop driving; affected trucks were towed in for steering gear replacement. The population is narrow, but verify by VIN.
$0
Recall remedy
Four wiper recalls (arms and motors), three trailer-brake software recalls (latest 26V-104, March 2026), rearview camera software (25V-315, phased), and a low-pressure fuel pump recall (25V-455) whose remedy was still pending as of mid-2026 — ask whether it has since been performed. Exterior lighting and electrical rank high in complaints, consistent with this electronics-heavy redesign.
Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2021 F-150 · Mechanic channel and owner signal (14th-gen F-150)
The engine cycle test is the difference between a free engine and a catastrophic failure.
Free fixes at any Ford dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.