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2021 Ford F-150: Recalls and Reported Problems

Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.

By VIN Lookup Research DeskPublished 2026-08-27Reviewed 2026-08-27United States
NHTSA dataModel-year data describes the production run, not the car in front of you.

Two identical F-150s can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.

Direct answer

NHTSA lists 29 safety recalls for the 2021 Ford F-150, alongside 0 owner complaints filed with the agency. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. A recall applies to a production range, so check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.

2021 Ford F-150 at a glance

29NHTSA safety recallsCampaigns covering this model year
0Owner complaintsFiled with NHTSA, unverified

Recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford F-150

Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. The remedy is performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, and safety recalls never expire — but a campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.

NHTSA recall campaigns recorded for the 2021 Ford F-150
CampaignComponentIssue
21V986000POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
21V090000VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERSFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 and 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
21V805000AIR BAGS:SENSOR:SIDE IMPACTFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the side…
21V533000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The electronic brake booster may leak brake fluid into the electronic control unit, which could result in reduced braking performance.
21V653000SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBINGFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 Super Cab vehicles. The front seatbelt webbing may be incorrectly routed.
21V381000POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in driveshaft separation.
21V407000STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The steering gear may have internal damage, which could result in difficulty steering, or the inability to rotate the steering wheel while driving.
22V142000VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTORFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.

NHTSA records 29 campaigns in total for this model year; the 8 most recent are listed above. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s free lookup for the complete, vehicle-specific list.

How to check one specific F-150

  1. Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
  2. Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
  3. Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
  4. Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
  5. Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.

What this data cannot tell you

  • Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
  • Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
  • How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
  • Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Evidence

Primary sources behind this page

Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.

  1. Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  2. NHTSA Recalls APINational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  3. NHTSA Complaints DatabaseNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  4. Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Quick answers

2021 Ford F-150 questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA lists 29 safety recalls covering the 2021 Ford F-150 as of 2026-08-27. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.

What are the most common 2021 Ford F-150 problems?

NHTSA has too few categorised complaints for this model year to identify a pattern. Use an independent pre-purchase inspection to assess the specific vehicle.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no charge by a franchised dealer, and federal safety recalls do not expire. Bring the VIN and ask the dealer to confirm open campaigns before the appointment.

Can I check recalls on a specific 2021 Ford F-150 VIN?

Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.