2021 Ford F-150 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 130about this part
- Share
- 13%of 1,036 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 27,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 130 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Ford F-150, 13% of the 1,036 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 27,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 5 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle intruder alarm activates for no reason. Has happened 5 nights across 83 days of ownership. Vehicle has less than 3500 miles and local Ford service cannot find root cause.”
NHTSA complaint #11400262, filed 2021-03, 3,400 miles“If the truck sits for more than 2 days the battery will be dead and unable to be jumpstarted with jump packs. Had to have the battery replaced it was so dead already.”
NHTSA complaint #11396449, filed 2021-02, 500 miles“Vehicle suddenly locked the steering wheel at approximatelyn20-25 MPH dash displayed a front camera failure and the motor stopped. I had to put the vehicle in park and restart. It happened again with in a minute. Then a third time after driving apron. 120 miles. As I slowed to a stop light the same thing happen a third time. This occurred at 20-25 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11740857, filed 2026-05“The safety daytime running lights are failing prematurely. My car has 32,000 miles and my DRL is burnt out on the passenger side. Online forums confirm that this is happening to many, many people. It’s a safety hazard for other drivers because the cost to repair is substantial and people aren’t fixing them. Ford should fix this as a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11755402, filed 2026-08“My 2021 Ford F-150 has been having trouble with the transmission. Hard shifting, shifting to 10th gear at 40mph and unable to downshift after slowing down. I have also had issues with the daytime running lights not working since around 45k miles. My truck only has 59K miles at the time of me typing this.”
NHTSA complaint #11741271, filed 2026-06Related recalls
- 26V104000Feb 20, 2026Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600…Covers: Ford F-150 2021–2026, Lincoln Navigator 2022–2027, Ford Expedition 2022–2027 +7 more
- 25V132000Feb 28, 2025Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles…Covers: Ford F-150 2021–2022, F-350 SD 2022, Maverick 2022 +5 more
- 24V443000Jun 14, 2024Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature. An over-the-air software update to the body…Covers: Ford F-150 2021
- 23V509000Jul 21, 2023Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a single exhaust system. Contact with the rear axle housing may damage…Covers: Ford F-150 2021–2023
- 22V193000Mar 25, 2022Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles. Due to…Covers: Ford F-150 2021–2022, F-350 SD 2022, Maverick 2022 +5 more
Related service bulletins
- 11038615Oct 16, 2026This bulletin supersedes 26-2238. Reason for update: To update the Service Procedure to include diagnostics for the fuel vapor vent valve and the fuel tank isolation valve. Some…
- 11038617Oct 14, 2026This bulletin supersedes 26-2297. Reason for update: Add 2022-2025 Transit vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a…
- 11037310Sep 9, 202626C37 Recall remedy Prevents a potential rearview camera image obstruction caused by a menu displaying on top of it
- 11037291Sep 9, 202626C10 Recall remedy -Addresses instances where the trailer lights and trailer brakes may not function
- 11037297Sep 3, 2026This bulletin updates 26-2206. Reason for update: update the Service Procedure to revise Steps 19-21, adding Step 22, and adding Figure 15-16 to clarify connector C316 location.
- 11036595Aug 26, 2026This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B…
- 11035556Aug 3, 2026Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles…
- 11035258Jul 24, 202625S75 Recall remedy -Powertrain Control Module update to introduce logic to prevent low pressure fuel pump binding and maintain fuel flow to the engine.
- 11035626Jul 23, 202625S75 Recall remedy -Powertrain Control Module update to introduce logic to prevent low pressure fuel pump binding and maintain fuel flow to the engine.
- 11035269Jul 23, 2026Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System"…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 23 | 21% |
| 2024 | 40 | 21% |
| 2023 | 84 | 20% |
| 2022 | 126 | 21% |
| 2021 | 130 | 13% |
| 2020 | 88 | 12% |
| 2019 | 100 | 7% |
| 2018 | 172 | 7% |
| 2017 | 136 | 9% |
| 2016 | 189 | 9% |
| 2015 | 176 | 10% |
| 2014 | 162 | 11% |
| 2013 | 324 | 11% |
| 2012 | 173 | 10% |
| 2011 | 235 | 11% |
| 2010 | 166 | 20% |
| 2009 | 46 | 14% |
| 2008 | 29 | 8% |
| 2007 | 42 | 9% |
| 2006 | 60 | 10% |
| 2005 | 73 | 7% |
| 2004 | 99 | 5% |
| 2003 | 47 | 11% |
| 2002 | 106 | 13% |
| 2001 | 137 | 11% |
| 2000 | 191 | 18% |
| 1999 | 85 | 8% |
| 1998 | 87 | 6% |
| 1997 | 198 | 7% |
| 1996 | 56 | 17% |
| 1995 | 65 | 10% |
| 1994 | 88 | 13% |
| 1993 | 34 | 6% |
| 1992 | 48 | 10% |
| 1991 | 50 | 16% |
| 1990 | 37 | 13% |
| 1989 | 52 | 23% |
| 1988 | 49 | 35% |
| 1987 | 37 | 41% |
| 1986 | 22 | 36% |
| 1985 | 10 | 36% |
| 1984 | 7 | 47% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
| 1982 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2021 Ford F-150
319 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
131 complaintsExterior lighting
115 complaintsOther or unknown
97 complaintsFuel system
92 complaintsEngine
84 complaintsBrakes
77 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
43 complaintsForward collision avoidance
43 complaintsSteering
43 complaintsBody and structure
36 complaintsWheels
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology