general problems of the 2021 Ford F-150 - part 1

Vehicle information 2021 Ford F-150 powerboost VIN: [xxx] complaint description while driving approximately 70 mph on a highway, my 2021 Ford F-150 powerboost suddenly displayed a “stop safely now” message and immediately lost propulsion. The engine shut down without warning while I was in active traffic. After the shutdown, the vehicle automatically shifted into park and would not allow me to shift into neutral. This left me unable to move the vehicle out of a live traffic lane. I was forced to shut the vehicle off while still in a dangerous roadway position. This incident created a serious safety hazard, as I was traveling at highway speed and could have been rear-ended due to the sudden loss of power and inability to move the vehicle. This issue appears to match Ford technical service bulletin (TSB) 23-2317, which describes “stop safely now” warnings, no-start conditions, and gateway module (gwm) software faults. This indicates a known defect that can cause sudden loss of propulsion. A claim has already been opened with Ford motor company under case number [xxx], and the vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership for diagnosis. At this time, the issue has not been resolved. This failure occurred without warning and presents a significant risk to driver safety and others on the road. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v455000 (fuel system, gasoline). Upon starting the vehicle, it started and stopped. After waiting for approximately 20 minutes, the vehicle worked as designed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty fuel pump control module, fuel pump assembly, and auto start/stop eliminator module that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2021 Ford F-150. This truck has already been subject to multiple recalls, yet the problems have continued. On several occasions while driving, the truck has suddenly shut off without warning, causing a complete loss of power while the vehicle is in motion. This has happened while my family and I were in the vehicle and has nearly resulted in a serious crash. Losing power in traffic without warning creates an extremely dangerous situation and has put my family’s lives at risk. A vehicle shutting off while being driven is a major safety hazard. Despite multiple visits for service and ongoing recall issues, the problem has not been resolved, and the truck continues to fail in a way that could easily lead to a catastrophic accident.

Two things, the dash stopped displaying speed. As I was driving the dash glitched out and the digital speed would not display. It started only showing the top half of how fast I was going. Then it completely went out. Second, the radio also glitches. Won't let me change station or sources. I usually have to turn the truck off for 10 to 15 minutes, then it starts fixing the issues. This has been an ongoing problem. And no recalls for this issue have been placed.

The vehicle reported a charging system failure alert and came to a jerking stop. The battery was completely drained and the alternator had failed at 71,000 miles. The vehicle stopped in the drive lane on a heavily trafficked road. The emergency release lever was found and pulled to allow the truck to pull over.

I was in the parking lot of my local grocery store, and the truck all of a sudden gave me an indicator that there is a "park brake fault-service now. " I was stranded and had to have someone pick me up for this, this is after hours so I cannot call the Ford dealership until the following day. I now see Ford issued a recall for this under 23s35. However, when I look up my VIN under Ford, that did not show, and thus, we did not address this earlier when that should have happened. That is a problem and needs to be addressed with Ford ASAP. What if I was driving and this happened??!!.

When temperatures are below freezing, the passenger side door remains locked, and cannot be unlocked with the key fob or the unlock buttons on either the driver side or passenger side door. The manual door lock cannot be pulled out, as it sinks down inside the door, and there is no external locking/unlocking mechanism to use the key to manually unlock the passenger side door. Dealer said there was nothing wrong with it, but brought it into the shop to look at it, where the temperature is higher than freezing.

1. Electrical system failure: while traveling on highway, alternator failed suddenly within 2 minutes of “service soon” and “check electrical system” warnings. Caused complete loss of motive power, electronic parking brake locked up while driving, loss of power steering, all gauges failed, transmission shifted into park while in motion. Battery was damaged (“fried”). Engine continued running for several minutes after stop without ability to shut off ignition. Incident documented by ohio state highway patrol. 2. Seat belt issue: driver-side seat belt interlock sticks in unlocked position, creating risk of failure to lock during a crash. 3. Electronic parking brake: intermittently engages while vehicle is moving downhill to a stop (mostly at or below 5 mph). Parking brake light flashes three times then turns solid while in motion. Ford TSB indicates vehicle not eligible for related recall. 4. Infotainment system: intermittently freezes, requiring forced reboot. Preceded by audio glitches, laggy dash computerized systems. 5. Transmission: severe clunk and physical jolt when decelerating from ~30 mph to 8 mph. Also occurs during acceleration, particularly upshifts from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th gears, more pronounced when turning. 6. 4wd system: intermittently fails to disengage from 4wd hi to 2wd hi. “failure to shift” message appears several minutes after command to return to 2wd hi. 7. Front differential/axle: previously, faulty front differential housing fractured due to system malfunction, causing intermittent loss of front driveline engagement in 4wd lo (250-500ms delay then re-engagement under throttle). Ford replaced front differential and axle under warranty after vehicle out of service for 2. 5 months. Abbreviations: 4wd hi = 4-wheel drive high range; 2wd hi = 2-wheel drive high range; TSB = technical service bulletin.

Daytime driving lights are disabled due to an electrical defect.

The hybrid battery in a 2021 Ford F-150 powerboost failed due to apparent shorting. (p/n ml3z-10b690-d) pictures were taken by service department at the Ford dealership, and can be provided upon request. There is concern that the system could catch fire and spread under the vehicle. There have been other similarly identified failures reported in online communities, but cannot verify the information. Failed component is currently with dealership service department, therefore, cannot verify if there has been further inspection of part. Prior to failure, there were no indicators of problems or faults. As the failed part is not easily accessible and there is no routine maintenance, there is no way to validate when the part failed.

My truck thinks my parking brake is engaged so it constantly flashes the “brake” light, constantly chimes while driving and says parking break malfunction, talk to dealer. I brought it to webber family Ford in detroit lakes mn 56501 and they checked it over including the safety recall location for recall 23s35. They said it was not the recall location and I would have to bring it in Monday for another appointment. When I got it home that day I crawled under to check that location. I see visible green which usually means corrosion and the protection around the harness seems warm. I also noticed the "recall" was not completed how it is shown on Fords recall paperwork using the zip tie as a wear location so it isn't the harness itself. That is not how mine is. I have photos to prove that. I spoke with corporate Ford today and they said they can't re open the recall because it has been closed and it is past its 12 month warranty being it was done in October of 2023 before my ownership and at a different dealer. I don't believe it is fair to me the current owner to pay for the cost of a rerepair of a recall that was done incorrectly.

Transmission downshift to first gear on the highway.

My Ford f150 was traveling on i95 north in maryland when an emergency notice on the dashboard told be to pull over. The truck would not restart and had to be towed to a Ford dealer. I have since been told a controller module caught fire and damaged the hybrid battery and both would need to be replaced at a cost of over $10,000. This is a know issue and other Ford f150 hybrid trucks as well as other Ford cars have already been recalled. Ford claims that my VIN was not included in the recall even though I experienced exactly what the recall was suppose to prevent. My wife and I could have been killed while traveling on the highway at 70 mph and the vehicle was on fire without our knowledge.

Started after mcgee Ford did a service on my truck apparently they told Ford they repaired electrical recalls which I wasn’t having issues with nor did I know they did anything! they did however erase the recalls so that was 8-2024 shortly after my truck experienced major electrical issues, another dealership told me it was gonna be 6k and 4 weeks to fix I was in awe I left with my truck that had no blinkers no air bags and so on 15 safety codes! I battled this for a year and then my parking break locked up while driving 70 on the highway! that’s the recall megee claimed they fixed I’m not rich single dad 100% of rhe time and I sure my kids everywhere daily, I do research call Ford find intact I had a recalll so im thinking it will get fixed! 6 weeks later they not fixed I was told 2 days now heritage and Ford won’t fix it they want megee Ford the certified service and dealer to pay for it. It’s winter im a contractor in vermont they let me borrow a sentra with summer tires on it. Couldn’t make it off my road. I’m still driving my kids around! I almost reck once a day as the whole system is messed up now! I feel like I’m being bullied and picked on because of my nationality.

I purchased my vehicle in October 10th of 2025. I drove the vehicle home 2hrs away on the Friday. On Sunday the 12th I started the vehicle with a error of " park brake fault service now" I had the car taken to the nearest Ford dealership as it sat for 3 weeks. I was told the recall for the vehicle around this issue has been done twice so pundmamm Ford the local dealer did not want to do it again. They ended up replacing the driver rear brake caliper bled the brakes and said this fixed it. They did not replace the harness as they said twice repaired was weird that Ford allowed this. I ended up paying for the repairs caused by this recall of over 1000. 00 dollars. I have drove it now for two days and already the brake light engaged. Luckily it released and I was able to drive home. I have called Ford on this multiple times as well talked with supervisors and need escalation at this point.

At a stop light vehicle will turn off and nothing electrical will work. It will have to be restarted, while turning at low speeds the electronic steering completely stops working and almost hit another car. All electrical power failure until modules reset then will start. This all happens randomly so it could happen at any point and cause serious injury. Ford can't seem to find a repair for the intermittent issue.

Vehicle lost all power and stalled while driving. Vehicle also stalled at idle when waiting at an intersection, and another time while waiting at a stop sign. No longer starts. Appears to not be receiving fuel and is returning code p0627 "fuel pump a control circuit / open" and will crank but not start. Required towing back to my residence. Fordpass sent a "service engine soon warning" stating "the powertrain control system has detected an electrical fault with the fuel pump and its associated wiring". The symptoms match those in 25v455 but this VIN number is not listed in the affected group.

Gear shift selector gets stuck in park, drive & reverse. Unable to move vehicle & blocking traffic for a period of time.

I had driven the car about 15 residential miles to home depot and back. As I was driving into my driveway I smelled smoke and looked forward to see a puff of smoke coming out from the front, driver's side wheel well. I put the car in park and pulled the hook release control under the steering wheel. Suddenly flames were coming out the sides of the hood, about 12" high. I pulled the car quickly away from the house and trees. Put the car in park, as the flames were now engulfing the entire hood. I quickly got away from the car and called 911. The fire department is close to my house, yet by the time they arrived the car, including interior cabin, was fully engulfed in flames.

The alternator failed at 60,000 ish miles. Specific mileage can be provided upon request. It appears this is a common problem as alternators and alternator parts are unavailable. I have had to order a custom alternator.

Vehicle: 2021 Ford F-150 component: exterior lighting – daytime running lights (drls) / headlights (high beams) safety concern: vehicle visibility and forward illumination both daytime running lights (drls) on my 2021 Ford F-150 have failed completely. After the drls stopped working, the high beams also became inoperative, leaving only the low beams working. The Ford dealer attempted a repair by replacing the control modules, but that did not fix the issue. They advised that the entire headlight assemblies need to be replaced. However, these assemblies are very expensive, so I have not replaced them yet. I am currently limited to using only the low beams. Without drls, the truck is less visible during daytime driving, increasing the risk of a collision. Without high beams, nighttime visibility is reduced, especially on rural or dark roads. This failure affects federally required lighting functions, compromising safety in both day and night driving. The problem is not normal wear: these are sealed led assemblies that should last the life of the vehicle. The fact that both assemblies failed strongly indicates a manufacturing or design defect. Owners face high out-of-pocket costs because the only fix offered is full assembly replacement. Other 2021 F-150 owners have reported similar failures of drls and headlights online, showing this is not an isolated incident. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue as a safety defect and require Ford to issue a recall to replace the defective headlight assemblies at no cost to owners.

Fords sync system fails to connect to internet and won’t update resulting in transmission failing to relearn as you drive.

Random times my clockspring makes clicking sounds and the car iant able to be driven. Getting many messages about issues with the vehicle.

Black screen on main vehicle screen. Ford has a customer satisfaction program (12m02) that extended the warranty coverage for the accessory protocol interface module (apim), a key component of the sync system in certain Ford vehicles. This program covers the apim for 5 years from the warranty start date, regardless of mileage, which is a longer coverage than the vehicle's original warranty provisions for this part. The coverage automatically transfers to subsequent owners. However, Ford is saying that I do not qualify and cannot define the qualification criteria. If some affected vehicles are eligible for repair under this csp, then all affected vehicles should be.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -the electrical system malfunctioned causing a complete system failure and shutdown of the vehicle. The vehicle came to a sudden stop in an intersection and could not be moved. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -the vehicle instantly died going through an intersection causing the steering column to lock up, the parking brake to engage and transmission to remain in drive while the vehicle was stopped without any power. This was a sudden and abrupt stop where all control over the vehicle was lost, and I came to an immediate stop in the middle of an intersection. The vehicle would not restart. I could not disengage the parking brake to move the vehicle out of the intersection due to the complete loss of power. The transmission would not shift into neutral due to the complete loss of power. The hazard lights would not turn on due to the complete loss of power. If this happened on the interstate, I would have very likely been in a serious life threatening /taking accident. This is as big of a near miss that I can think of, and only because it happened on a neighborhood street when no other vehicles were approaching from in front or behind. This is a major safety issue. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -the vehicle is currently at the dealer for a diagnostic review. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -in process at the Ford dealership were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -the vehicle had been running for 30-45 minutes prior to this happening without any warning lights / symptoms.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while opening the front driver’s side door, there was an abnormal grinding coming from the motor for the retractable running board on the front passenger’s side, and the running board failed to deploy as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the motor in the retractable running board had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact attempted to replace the motor for the retractable running board himself and failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.

Drove it out to CA from texas. Purchased for planet Ford who told me the truck was k to drive and no axel problem. Drove it out to CA from texas when we moved in late April - after that went to santa barbara and dashboard controls went dead. Speedometer and may other controls stopped working. Truck felt sluggish. Took it into tuttle click Ford Lincoln in irvine and they said they real axel was about to fall off and took the truck away. They've had it for a month and said they may have it for another 2-4 week or longer.

Unable to update automatically, vehicle was constantly attempting to connect, draining the battery (I replaced the battery and carry jumper cables and a quick starter now). Took into dealer and they are unable to perform updates. They have had the vehicle for 2 weeks and no progress. The forums online have indicated the vehicle was built with whatever parts they could get due to the covid supply chain disruptions to normal parts. The software and subsequent updates do not remedy matters. I have no documents to upload, still in shop.

Related to technical service bulletin various gear shift module concerns 25-2045 I experienced an issue where my truck was stuck in drive and the engine off. The truck could not be turned on if it wasn't in park, but couldn't be shifted unless it was on. This appears to be a very common issue as I made a post on reddit [xxx] ) and many other users noted the same issue (low milage, relatively new tucks) with the same fix - a tow to a Ford dealer and a $1000+ replacement of the shift module. The service manager told me it was "a common issue". It should be categorically impossible for a $70k+ tuck with less than 40k miles to be unable to shift gears due to faulty computer components. Ford didn't consider this issue under warrantee. Ford should have this module recalled - it is unfair for consumers to foot the bill to replace what should be a life time/never fail component. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for the state inspection, the contact was informed that the computer failed to communicate with the state inspection testing equipment. Due to the issue, the vehicle failed the state inspection. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that a software update was required. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to ssm: 51411. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Pro power onboard doesn’t work.

Part dg9z13a018e (ambient light sensor) fails to properly read daylight during warm months. Inverted value (reading of very dark) persists for at least 10 minutes. Appears to be temperature dependent; meaning, the temperature of the sensor/dash/housing is very hot and skewing the reading. Instrument panel dim. 12" screen dim. Reverse image (parking assist) dim as 12" screen is dim. When occurs, can be disabled by turning auto-headlights to off position. When cycled back to automatic, condition reasserts and dims both the cluster and screen. Issue has been verified at dealership since 2023. Cannot replicate issue when stored indoors, raining, overcast, cold, etc. Requires full sun and warm day. Vehicle cannot be spared for additional diagnostics without rental/loaner provision. Will ask to attempt to replicate during upcoming recall maintenance and other TSB/ssm diagnostics to correct lingering ota update/software issues that cause low state of charge conditions.

I drove approx 50 miles. Parked, return to truck approx 45 mins later and the battery was dead. No turn over at all. Called aaa purchased new battery which was installed roadside in a parking lot. Upon starting the engine I noticed the ac was not blowing and hot air only if it did. I took vehicle to mac maik Ford. I was told the ac was in need of new parts and $freon$ ? the repair was approx $4500. 00 then add freon fee. I declined. Returned to gullo Ford where I purchased truck and I was told it would take up to a week or more to leave it for just evaluation. They offered a rental vehicle for $65/ day . I was not going to pay$800 in rental fees to wait for an evaluation not even repair?! I returned home in the hot truck and stopped by the private garage in neighborhood. Rustys. They kept it half a day&said upon investigation numerous complaints were filed for the same situation. Rusty stated he would order the part and be completed in abt 3-4 days max>. Ok, order parts. I get in the truck after the small independent garage guys went over it in 1/2 a day & the ac was working. I again refused to leave it at rustys garage. He said he would order the part because site stated numerous ppl had the same thing I had had. Battery dying and a/c malfunction combo. If I had not been informed of the recall potential of the type of reoccurring incident on vehicles like mine I would have been ripped off for thousands!! rusty ordered the part but kept part b/c my ac is good but tapping the battery? 3 days after his diagnosis being different from the dealers my a/c is still witking. . However, the potential remains high for ac failure at this point to reoccur. There is obviously a malfunction in the a/c that kills the battery. I am not the only person with this issue. This warrants a recall on whatever it is that drains the battery and kills the a/c function and lets the dealers profit! please address & recall. Bust the dealers who want thousands to fix this too! recall the ripoff. . .

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after attaching a trailer to the vehicle, the brakes were inoperable while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the trailer not connected message was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 22v193000 (electrical system) and 25v132000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,425.

Daytime running lights quit working.