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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
70 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2021 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #59

Nov 272023

F-150

  • miles

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

The bolt rear-end axle & transmission. No accident happened but due to the back left side tire almost coming off left me on the shoulder of the freeway which was a dangerous situation. I was process of me taking the vehicle to dealership for the recall but didn't make it there cause of the tire was coming off. The concentration of bolt was directed onto the tire coming off. The dealership notification me that the bill was going $5,000 dollars in order for me to get the truck back into my possession. So I asked them if there was a recall on the truck and they told that the truck didn't qualify for it. The mechanic technician and the insurance adjuster inspected my truck fail to notification me of the right side bolt being broken. When I have got the broken one in my hand. In other words for the tire coming off that it was my fault even with other damages.I never got a call from dealership or from the insurance company to ask any questions about incident & took the matters to there own hands.

- Floresville, TX, USA

problem #58

Jun 112024

F-150

  • miles
360.Camera System has failed and is having the same known issues as the other recalled Ford vehicles.

- Eudora, KS, USA

problem #57

Dec 302023

F-150

  • miles
There hasn't been an incident yet. But, I want a record of this somewhere. I'm assuming there may be an incident in the future; and, I'm concerned about that. Either an incident with my truck or an incident with the 100s of thousands of Ford and Lincoln vehicles from 2017-2023 that have this issue. The issue is Ford SSM 51939 - a whining noise coming from the bellhousing and the front of the transmission fluid pan. I have taken my truck to a dealership. I have called Ford about this. I have researched extensively online. I have called NHTSA. I have emailed the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. I am now filing this report online. The safety issue" For me, I'm now having to wear EARPLUGS when driving my vehicle. For others, they have been told to turn up the radio. I am now hearing the noise all the time -- believe it or not, even sometimes when I'm not even in my truck. Ford needs to address this. They send me to you. I don't have the 'option' of TRADING IN MY VEHICLE...others don't either. What am I to do" When something serious happens because people are remedying this themselves...it will be a very sad day. But, maybe only then will Ford do something. I don't know what else to do other than call Ford everyday, and email every agency that may be able to apply some pressure. Sadly, I have a full-time job...and this is really frustrating for me, in more ways that one. Hope you have a nice day! [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Loveland, CO, USA

problem #56

Apr 262024

F-150

  • miles

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

Battery drain issue caused by over the air updates causing Low Battery warnings to occur. This issue has been repeatedly looked at and brought to the dealership since purchase. Alternator replaced at dealership. Battery replaced at dealership. Updates forced by dealership, multiple times. Battery minder installed to ensure start during winter months due to constant BMS warnings of 12V Battery State of Charge Low and infotainment Low Power Mode notifications. OTA update currently causing this issue. Attempted to clear by personally, by plugging battery minder in overnight for consecutive nights, prior to booking 40k mile service with dealership. Brought in for service, found battery state of charge reading below 50%. Recovered to above 70%. Requested I let the OTA attempt to complete overnight. OTA has continued to fail for the last 3 days, even while on the battery minder. Vehicle is driven at least 1 hour per day. BMS sensor installed: ML3T-10C652-BA. Due to the power consumption reduction saving functions of the system, low power mode causes functions and features of the vehicle to slowly turn off and support only the driver access when in low power mode. This includes terminating the gateway module that the OTA update is required to verify and validate completion with. This also changes reported settings in the infotainment system to appear as if the driver has deactivated WiFi, causing an inaccurate assessment of issues by technicians. A low enough state of charge, even when inaccurate, can cause the vehicle to fail to start.

- Windsor Locks, CT, USA

problem #55

Sep 142023

F-150

  • miles
OBDii reader which connect to vehicle ECM reads perfectly independently, however when connected to a state emissions inspection machine, machine indicates no vehicle information available and results in failures due to ECM not responsive. Ford says it is a known issue but will not replace ecm unless recall is issued.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #54

Feb 242024

F-150

  • miles
I stopped the vehicle in the street after turning wide to back in my driveway. The vehicle lunged forward like it was being pushed. It continued forward, up the curb, paused, then was pushed (moved forward) harder up the incline and into a pine tree. Significant Damage was to the front end. At no time did I accelerate. I was not in control of the car. It threw a message about parking assist on the dash. There were children on the street and I am glad it didn-??t run into anyone. Yes you have my consent to check the vehicle data. I am going to file with ford as well. Even if car is fixed I-??m afraid to drive it.

- Chesapeake , VA, USA

problem #53

Jan 122024

F-150

  • miles

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

Loud popping noise from radio. It sounds like gunfire.

- Ames, IA, USA

problem #52

Dec 242022

F-150 6-cyl

  • miles
3.6.2021 - Ford F150 purchased at Battlefield Ford (Ourisman Ford), Manassus VA / registered in CT 7.27.21 -?" inspected by Torrington Ford, Torrington CT for rubbing sound front left side, nothing found / 6,325 miles 2.10.22 -?" inspected for same issue / nothing found / 16,000 miles 7.27.22 -?" inspected for same issue / nothing found / 24,000 miles 12.24.2022 -?" -??Catastrophic failure-?? of front differential / 34,369 miles. On Christmas Eve 2022 myself, husband and son were driving to family in NY when the truck very quickly started to make a severe grinding sound, became unable to steer, loss of control, and started to produce smoke & fire under the hood. We immediately stopped and got out unharmed. Fire was dripping out of the bottom of the truck and smoke/fire under the hood. We were lucky. Firetrucks came but were unable to do anything. The truck's wheels completely seized up - the tow truck had to skid it onto the flatbed. Repaired at Simmons-Rockwell Ford, Hallstead, PA. Complete new front differential and damaged parts in proximity to the failure (pinion gear, axle shaft, etc). 12.16.2023 -?" Again hearing a sound in front left side while driving; bring to the shop for inspection. Shop confirms front differential is failing again, per Torrington Ford, (where all maintenance and repairs were completed, except for the first failed front differential in PA). Advise not to drive for safety reasons. 52,922 miles. With both front differential failures - no warning lights or messages. Symptoms - a slight rubbing/grinding noise in the front left side of vehicle; -??rough-?? sound while driving. 1st front differential -?" inspected at 6,000 miles, 16,000 miles, and 24,000 miles. Failed at 34,369 miles. 2nd front differential -?" inspected at 52,922 miles, failing differential, advised not to drive. Dec 2023 -?" Buy-back claim filed with Ford Motor Co. Denied - "outside of the 18-month warranty period for VA Lemon Law". Clearly, safety is not a guiding tenet for Ford Motor Co.

- Litchfield, CT, USA

problem #51

Nov 212023

F-150

  • miles
--Exhaust leak, at left first band clamp downstream from catalyst --Safety is of immediate concern due to exhaust leak directly under driver seat --Local Ford dealership service dept did not fix leak --Exhaust leak was inspected and reported to local Ford dealer service dept- NOT fixed On 20 November 2023, I purchased a 2021 Ford F-150 XL, VIN: [XXX], from Crain Ford of Jacksonville, Arkansas, 1800 School Drive, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. Phone 501-436-4981. After driving the vehicle for a day, I noticed a fluid leak on my garage floor under the vehicle-??s engine area. On 21 November 2023, I took the vehicle to the dealership, which I bought the truck from, Crain Ford or Jacksonville, AR. They inspected the underside and found no leaks and suggested I just keep an eye out for any fluid leaks. The next week I kept watching for leaks, and each day I saw what appeared to be a fluid leak of some type or fluid on the floor of my garage. On 27 November 2023, I took the vehicle back t o the same dealership, Crain Ford, and I showed them a video of the leak I discovered. The video can be viewed at: [XXX] As the video shows, upon cold startup of the vehicle, you can see water leaking from the band clamp on the exhaust system just below the left catalyst. I fully understand that the fluid is water and is a byproduct of the combustion system and is normal. That is NOT the problem, the problem is, if water can leak out at the band clamp on the exhaust system, as shown, then so can deadly exhaust fumes right under the driver area. I showed the video to the Ford service dept foreman and he had a technician check the exhaust and assured me that the band clamps were at factory spec torque and they could smell or observe no leaks. I took the vehicle home. The next morning, there is still a deadly exhaust leak occurring at the band clamp on the exhaust pipe as I can see water dripping out, just as the first video showed INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Jacksonville , AR, USA

problem #50

Nov 202023

F-150

  • miles
Radio started blasting a boom/ static sound from the rear speakers and subwoofer; extremely loud and has occurred multiple times. It had previously made a similiar sound occasionally at start up which when under warranty was always diagnosed as unable to duplicate but is now occuring while driving and I am out of warranty. Very startling and distracting when it occurs. Has occured multiple times and lasts upto an hour before I gave up an parked my vehicle. Have a special needs minimally verbal disabled child who is very sensitive to noise (rear speakers are always turned off via fade to front) who was very impacted by this loud explosion of chaos/ noise when it occured with him in the car. Ford response: since out of warranty can pay for diagnostic and repairs. Don't expect NHTSA to care as they weren't concerned with my complaint regarding complete loss of brakes (incomplete or bad programming) with this truck but maybe this will let others know they arent alone if they have this issue.

- Pueblo West, CO, USA

problem #49

Nov 302021

F-150

  • miles

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

Console lid with integrated work table. Will not stay open and will slam shut because the springs are not strong enough to hold lid open. This has been present since the vehicle was purchased new. Several members of my family including me have had the lid slam on my fingers. The lid is heavy and it hurts. Local ford dealer said that the console in all the F150 do it and there is no fix from ford. I-??m concerned that a grand child may open the lid and it slam down on their fingers and cause serious injury. Ive read multiply f150 complaints about this issue, and even a possible fix. the truck is still under warranty. Ive been dealing with issue from a month after the purchase. It-??s a virtual mouse or rat trap to who ever opens the lid! I know this is not your typical safety issue, but it is a safety issue! Thank you

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #48

Oct 072023

F-150

  • miles
I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection in an Atlanta suburb. I was several cars back from the red light. I saw the light turn green so I took my foot off of the brakes to engage auto start and barely tapped the gas and the truck dinged and showed me an error on the screen. I was so mortified and my heart started racing that I could barely read the error, all I remember seeing was "Shift to P." However, I tried to shift to Park and the shifter wouldn't do anything! I was desperately trying to engage the brake and shift to Park or Neutral and it wouldn't budge. I kept trying back and forth back and forth trying anything to get it to shift. It finally shifted to Park. I turned truck off. Opened the door, closed the door, and restarted engine and it had a slight hesitation but then let me shift down to Drive and proceed. Luckily, I had enough time to fix it before I started getting cussed out or honked at and possibly shot for having this happen on a busy intersection. My heart was beating so fast. So scary. I got home and connected my OBD scanner and no error codes were found. Sunny day, about 65 degrees, and truck had drive 55 miles to my Mom's a few hours before. This was on my way back to my house in Atlanta from my Mom's house an hour outside of Atlanta. I had no time to take a picture of the error on the screen because I was scared to death trying to get my truck to shift and drive. There was no reason for this error as I did not do anything differently. The auto start/stop engaged on its own when I come to a stop and then starts itself when I begin to depress the gas. Very concerning and I don't panic at all, but in this case...I sure did.

- Peachtree Corners, GA, USA

problem #47

Aug 292023

F-150

  • miles
The front section of the panoramic sunroof on my 2021 Ford F150 unexpectedly shattered as I was driving down the road today. There were no cars immediately in front of or near me. None had passed by me. I was not driving underneath anything. The only thing I can deduce is that the glass spontaneously shattered due to unseen stress or faulty glass. I have owned the truck since new and had no issues or concerns with the sunroof previously. As a result of the glass shattering shards fell on me and inside of my truck. After getting out and shutting the door, the glass began collapsing inward and falling inside the truck. This is a safety concern as glass shards flying into a vehicle on a roadway can cause serious injury to the occupants inside.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #46

Aug 162023

F-150

  • miles
Active Air Dam: My 2021 Ford F150 XLT truck has an active air dam, (AAD), that is suppose to move downwards at speeds of 40mph or greater to help with aerodynamics. This is to help the truck hug the road better at highway speeds. When the truck slows down to under 40mph, the AAD is suppose to recess back up an be tucked away behind the stationary air dam. They started these AAD's on their trucks in the model year of 2021. It has been a widely known issue that the AAD design is flawed and they malfunction and get stuck on the front air dam. Some have came loose and flown off into other vehicles on the roadways. This presents a safety hazard to the owners and other vehicles on the road. Ford refuses to fix it stating that their extended warranty does not cover the parts. This is NOT a warranty issue, this is a poor design issue and a faulty part issue that is going to cause someone to get seriously injured or worse, killed. Some people have reported that their AAD flew off their truck and they didn't even notice until the service tech at the dealership told them during an oil change. So that means their are people out there that are driving with this hazardous part flying off their truck and where is it going" Into the traffic following behind, and what are those drivers going to do when it comes hurling at them at a high rate of speed" Most likely slam on their brakes, causing a rear end collision, or they serve to avoid it and either hit an on coming vehicle head-on or slam into the vehicle next to them on a multi lane highway or interstate. Please make Ford fix their problem before someone gets killed or seriously injured.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #45

Aug 152023

F-150

  • miles
A/C lines freezing therefore the Air Conditioning stop blowing cold air and I was sweating. I had to stop my trip, power off engine and wait 30 minutes with the hood open on the side of the highway. I was reading online and is a lot of people dealing with the same issue and Ford Co. is not fixing because there is not codes coming up.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #44

Aug 032023

F-150

  • miles
The audio system suddenly put out loud static noises from the speakers. The volume level was so excessive, I felt my ear drums were going to be damaged. This could have caused an accident if driving since the noise was so instant and loud. I had to turn off the vehicle to eliminate the noise. I read that several others have complained of this with no resolution yet. My vehicle is available for inspection. I have not notified my dealer or others yet since this occured in the evening. That was some minor static from the vehicle before this occurred.

- Rancho Santa Fe, CA, USA

problem #43

Jul 132023

F-150

  • miles
Bolt that holds the axle on to the vehicle is broken in half and therefore the axle can unexpectedly fall off the vehicle. It is the rear driver side axle. This was noticed when I recently replaced my tires and the broken screw was loose in the wheel.

- Spring Valley, NY, USA

problem #42

Jul 042023

F-150

  • miles
Rear camera becomes inoperable which poses risk to others and myself. Screen just goes black.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #41

Jun 262023

F-150

  • miles
Ford has a felt protective cover installed under the transmission to prevent debris from getting to the oil pan and catalytic converters. The cover needs to be removed to service the vehicles engine oil. The felt is secured with just bolts and over time the felt fails and starts to separate from the vehicle. This could dislodge from the vehicle while driving and cause potential bodily injuries to other vehicles or motorcycles This could also leave extremely hot catalytic converters exposed to grass or other flammables which could cause property damage or bodily injury There are hundreds of threads online about this issue. Most with in def descriptions and photos. I can compile this information and provide if needed. This part has failed twice on my vehicle with only 35,000 miles. I have concerns for my own safety as well as others.

- Pottstown , PA, USA

problem #40

Jun 152022

F-150

  • miles
Faulty backup camera. Intermittently but frequently get blue screen when placed in reverse.

- Cooper City, FL, USA

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