Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Ford F-150
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Ford F-150 has 29 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,042 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 6 NHTSA-tested trims.
Newest 20 recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V489000 Obstructed Rearview Camera Image/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V402000 Vehicle Rollaway Risk NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V104000 Trailer Lighting and Brakes May Not Function/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V729000 Moonroof Wind Deflector May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V455000 Low Pressure Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V348000 Reverse Lights May Not Function NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V315000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V169000 Transmission May Shift into Neutral While Driving NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V132000 Trailer Brakes May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V852000 Missing Dashboard Air Bag Warning Label/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V635000 Engine Intake Valves May Break NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V443000 OTA BCM Software Update May Disable Reverse Lights NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V896000 Rear Axle Hub Bolt May Break NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V509000 Unexpected Activation of Electric Parking Brake NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V163000 Windshield Wipers May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V842000 Windshield Wiper Motor May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V623000 Damaged Driveshaft May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V414000 Unsecured Fuel Tank Attachment Strap NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V250000 Windshield Wipers May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V193000 Trailer Brakes May Fail NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 322 complaints
- Electrical System 131 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 116 complaints
- Unknown or Other 96 complaints
- Engine 85 complaints
- Visibility 78 complaints
Of the 1,042 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 1,042 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Ford F-150 has mixed reliability, with significant complaints about the power train and electrical system. Despite these issues, it offers an average cost of ownership and repair costs are moderate. However, prospective buyers should be aware of potential issues and budget accordingly.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 50,000–80,000 miles | $1,500–$3,500 | common |
| electrical system | 40,000–70,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| exterior lighting | 30,000–60,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad replacement
- Tire rotations and alignment
- Battery and electrical checks
- Cooling system check
- Transmission fluid change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual noises during shifting
- Intermittent electrical failures
- Decreased fuel efficiency
- Flickering exterior lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Ford F-150 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.