2021 Ford F-150 power train problems
297 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2021 Ford F-150 — 31% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My vehicle is having bad shifting and jerking from 1st to 2nd. It has now gotten worse and does the jerking through all gears at 81,000 miles. A certified Ford dealer is doing a diagnosis on it. But Ford wont cover anything as the transmission it has is widely know issue. The CDF drum is only a…”
filed Aug 3, 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and upon inspection of the rear passenger’s side wheel end hub bolt, the dealer discovered the bolt…”
filed Aug 3, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park…Campaign 26V402000 · Jun 24, 2026
- Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate…Campaign 25V169000 · Mar 14, 2025
- Rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub…Campaign 23V896000 · Dec 22, 2023
- Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate…Campaign 22V188000 · Mar 25, 2022
- Two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in…Campaign 21V381000 · May 24, 2021
Related service bulletins
This bulletin supersedes 26-2066. Reason for update: To remove "(2024 only)" from the Issue statement to include 2021-2025 vehicles that may exhibit a clicking sound coming from the gear shift lever. Some of the…
TSB 26-2294 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 9, 2026This bulletin supersedes 25-2383. Reason for update: to add 2023-2026 F-150 2.7L vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model Statement may exhibit a vibration/shudder felt during light throttle tip in at highway…
TSB 26-2304 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2026
Power Train problems in other F-150 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 F-150 | 23 | 23% |
| 2024 F-150 | 55 | 30% |
| 2023 F-150 | 150 | 38% |
| 2022 F-150 | 155 | 27% |
| 2020 F-150 | 331 | 47% |
| 2019 F-150 | 701 | 54% |
| 2018 F-150 | 964 | 43% |
| 2017 F-150 | 509 | 37% |
| 2016 F-150 | 542 | 27% |
| 2015 F-150 | 370 | 22% |
| 2014 F-150 | 412 | 27% |
| 2013 F-150 | 1,329 | 45% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Ford F-150
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.