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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,126 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Ford F-150 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2021 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 4 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #131

Jul 122023

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the 4th time since purchasing the truck that this event has happened with time having the most severe results. When shifting from reverse to park the shifter goes into park and jumps back into reverse. First event (after exiting the truck) the truck rolled into a shipping dock breaking a taillight and buckling the rear bumper. Next two I had one foot on running board and one foot in the truck ant was able to hit the brake stopping the truck. This fourth event one foot was on the running board and one on the ground. As truck went back the door flattened me to the ground and the front tires rolled over both of my legs. The truck rolled up an inclined parking lot, across a busy road and down a bank. I was driven by ambulance to the hospital and then transferred and airlifted to trauma center at Ruby Memorial Hospital. After the second event the local Ford dealer said they could not duplicate the event. The brakes do not hold even though they are depressed and set when the shifter is shifted.

- Reedsville, WV, USA

problem #130

Mar 012022

F-150

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after shifting from reverse(R) to drive(D), the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer to file a complaint. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed; however, the case was denied, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. The VIN was not available.

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

problem #129

Aug 072023

F-150

  • miles
Transmission is downshifting hard when coming to a stop or slowing down. This repeatedly happens when downshifting from 7th to 6th gear and it hits even harder when it goes from 6th to 5th. Transmission delivers a slamming hit to the point it feels like rear end accident, to the point neck has become sore from what feels like whiplash. Truck has upcoming appt at dealer to looked at. No lights or warning messages appear when this happens.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #128

Jul 172023

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The axle retaining bolt that retains the floating axle to the hub failed and resulted in the floating axle splines at the hub failing. This is a known issue (see Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 22B34) but the recall only applies to vehicles manufactured from May 1st, 2021 to September 30th, 2021. My vehicle had the exact failure described by the recall (including the tell-tale ticking sound before failure). However, the build date for my vehicle is March 17th, 2021. Clearly the recall should be on trucks earlier than the May 1 date. The truck was built at the Dearborn Plant. I am assuming the other axle suffers from the same issue and will also fail.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #127

Aug 032023

F-150

  • miles
The axle bolt on both rear wheel hubs has sheared about 1/2 inch down the bolt. This led to the gradual loss of power to the effected wheel hub causing unpredictable handling characteristics as the interface between the axle and the wheel hub degrades due to the fastener being sheared off.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #126

May 252023

F-150 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,800 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving in electric mode at an unknown speed, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate with the transmission in 8th gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle made an abnormal noise and shifted into 1st gear independently. The contact stated he had experienced the failure 5 times within 2 months. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V188000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,800.

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #125

Jul 202023

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rear axel bolt sheared off. I started to hear a rattle called ford to see when I could get my truck in to get it looked at. Got an appointment set up 2 months down the road was the soonest they could get me in. While waiting for that time truck stated to vibrate. I decided to try a tire rotation and I had the rear axel bolt drop to the ground. Not sure exactly when I started hearing the rattle. They safety was the tire could have come off while driving which could have caused an accident which could have caused injuries or death of my family or others. I called ford back they told me to have it towed in so they could look at it right away. So in 4 days my truck will be towed there for inspection. No warning lights about the bolt but I did have one about 4x4 would not engage back on 27/MAR/2023. Ford checked the axel and suspension.

- Chewala, WA, USA

problem #124

Jul 062023

F-150

  • miles
Intermittent squeaking noise upon brake tip-in started at about 17,000 miles but performance seemingly unaffected. Then at 21,000 miles noises from became louder and prevalent at acceleration and braking. Noticed issue on Ford F150 14th Generation online forum about axle bolts shearing particularly for those vehicles with Max Tow package and that there was a Customer Satisfcation Program 22B34 to deal with the problem. Inspected hubs and found bolts sheared on both sides. Truck at dealer for warranty repair under the CSP.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #123

Apr 052023

F-150

  • miles
The rear rotor/axle bolt was found to be sheered off; the bolt head was located within the hub simply rattling around loose. There is no warning outside of someone possibly hearing the bolt head rattling in the hub as the truck passes by. Thankfully, someone heard mine; otherwise, I would have had no idea the problem existed. This issue has been reported numerous times in multiple online forums, apparently on trucks equipped with the power boost and max towing, and poses an extremely dangerous hazard to the occupants of the truck and to all others on the road. A family member with a similar truck (same model and year) has already had their rear axle assemblies replaced three times (twice on one side and once on the other)!

- Park City, UT, USA

problem #122

Jul 112023

F-150

  • miles
Upon doing an oil change and tire rotation at the Ford dealer I was informed that the rear axle hub bolt had sheared off and was sitting lose at the end of the axle. Upon doing research I have found that many 2021 Ford 150s have had this problem and Ford knows about the problem but has not issued a recall. I am being told that Ford recommends that the axle and bolt be replaced. My dealer has no loaners available. Also, the dealer, Harris Ford in Lynnwood, WA, tells me the parts are back ordered and have no idea when the repair can be made. This is dangerous and Ford should have issued a recall. Now I have no use of my truck and no date that the repair can be completed.

- Edmonds, WA, USA

problem #121

Jul 032023

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought truck brand new. The axle bolt sheered off at 76k miles which is a common problem which ford has issued a service bulletin for repair. Ford claims my truck is not drivable due to the manufacture defect of the bolt either being cross threaded or overtightened from the factory. Ford is insisting I pay for the mistake even though it's a manufacture defect with a service bulletin for a repair. Ford is refusing to pay for the fix due to miles. Axles, axle shafts and axle bolts should not have to be replaced before the differential fluid does in the axle at 100k miles. They are claiming the extreme premature wear is my fault. The truck is bone stock. Ford case #CAS-43720120-D7H6Y6. Worst part is Ford dealership telling me claim was denied to only find out Ford approved the claim partially. The Ford dealership was trying to double dip on profits. Dealership is wade Ford.called up akins Ford in winder and they told me they would cover it.

- Mableton, GA, USA

problem #120

Feb 222023

F-150

  • miles
The 10 speed transmission shifts erratically on both the up shift and down shift sometimes as much as 3 gears and the electric motor interface is also rough and I-??m afraid it-??s going to self destruct while driving on the highway leading to an accident

- Tyngsboro, MA, USA

problem #119

Jun 142023

F-150

  • miles
(June 14, 2023) While traveling at 55mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated for about 2-3 seconds and several dashboard lights turned on and flashed not available. (ABS, Traction control, Blinds Spot, pre-collision) I safely pulled over turned the truck off, waited a few seconds. Turned the truck back on, and ABS light was solid on the dashboard. I drove another 15 miles stopped again, and when I restarted the check engine light remained solid. After inspecting the truck, I found gear oil leaking from the right rear tire. I removed the plastic hub cap and discovered sheared off axle bolt. Truck was delivered to dealer for repair.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #118

Jun 182023

F-150

  • miles
Jerking when accelerating and shifting, when this occurs vehicle has a harsh movement forward then there is a delayed response when trying to accelerate have been multiple occasions where I go to make a turn and vehicle doesn-??t respond or stopping in the middle of a turn almost causing my vehicle to be tboned

- Gerry, NY, USA

problem #117

Jun 162023

F-150

  • miles
The axle bolt (wheel hub end bolt) on the rear axle (driver side) broke leaving part of the bolt inside the axle and the broken end inside the wheel assembly along with the large washer the bolt had secured to the axle. A cursory exam of the broken piece indicates it occurred some time ago from the smooth end of the broken part of the bolt. There were no warning lights or indicators. The broken bolt and washer were discovered during a routine tire rotation. No one other than the Ford dealer I took the vehicle to for routine maintenance has inspected the vehicle. The vehicle has 20400 miles on it and no after-market modifications. This defect potentially endangered my family and I since the axle can now move and possibly reduce propulsion or cause a loss of power. There are hundreds of other owners with the same vehicle package ("Max Tow Package") posting online about the same issue. This is a known problem from Ford, yet they have neither notified owners or proactively offered a solution or recall.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #116

May 192023

F-150

  • miles
Started with check engine light for cylinder 5 misfire and engine was running rough with loss of power. Took the truck to dealer and dealer reports compression loss as reason for engine failure. After doing some research there appears to be a major issue with the same engine (2.7 ecoboost) of the same year(2021) reported for the Bronco and F150 for catastrophic engine failure. I suspect this is the same engine failure that my truck experienced.

- Benbrook, TX, USA

problem #115

Jun 012023

F-150

  • miles
the bolt connecting the drive shaft to the hub has broken off

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #114

May 142023

F-150

  • miles
After coming to a complete stop the truck violently lurch-??s forward. To the point that it feels as if another vehicle has contacted the rear of the vehicle. This seems to be attributed to an auxiliary pump failure.

- Springfield , IL, USA

problem #113

May 252023

F-150

  • miles
At routine maintenance it was discovered the bolt which retains the rear axle on the passenger-side of the vehicle had sheared off and was FOI d within the wheel hub.

- Dunedin, FL, USA

problem #112

May 232023

F-150

  • miles
Drivers side and passenger side rear axle end bolt. I called my local FORD dealer and was told that the truck in not safe to drive and to call Roadside Assistance and have my vehicle transported to the nearest FORD dealer for repair. This is somewhat of a common problem as reported on the F150 vehicle user groups and this is the second time that it has happened on this vehicle. My local FORD dealer replaced the passenger side axle when this happened the first time. The only warning of this failure is a rattle during vehicle low speed operation due to centripetal force not allowing the bolt and washer to rattle in the cavity covered by the Logo axle cover. I was only able to notice this rattle due to it being on the drivers side during low speeds. When this occurred on the passenger side I did not notice it and I'm not sure how long the issue existed until my trucks drivetrain disengaged while driving in a parking lot. The bolt failure over time can allow the rear axle to slip outboard and disengage the axle splines. FORD needs to address this issue and determine root cause and resolve this issue.

- Evergreen, CO, USA

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