Know Your Truck

2021–2026 Ford F-150 common problems and fixes

Early 2021–2022 trucks have the most complaints and recalls, including 10-speed shifts into neutral and broken rear axle hub bolts on Max Tow trucks; the PowerBoost hybrid has its own power-loss reports.

What owners should know

Covers 2021–2026 · 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid, 5.0L V8, 3.3L V6 · Updated 2026-10-06

The 14th-generation F-150 kept the 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost V6s, the 5.0L V8 and the 10-speed automatic, and added the 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid with a built-in generator. The fully electric F-150 Lightning has its own pages.

We counted 2,874 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2021–2026 F-150s (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 1,028 from 3.5L EcoBoost trucks, 792 from PowerBoost hybrids, 526 from 5.0L V8s, 440 from 2.7L EcoBoosts and 51 from the 3.3L V6, identified by VIN. Of the rest, 3 are from the 3.0L diesel and 2 from the 5.2L Raptor R, and 32 couldn't be matched to an engine. We left out 1 whose VIN belongs to another vehicle (a Hyundai Sonata). Electric F-150 Lightning complaints that NHTSA files under "F-150" are left out here and counted on the Lightning pages. 2021 trucks have the most complaints by far. Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem, and newer trucks have had less time to collect them.

At a glance

  • 2021 trucks account for more than 4 in 10 complaints (1,275), and have a long list of recalls.
  • Certain Max Tow trucks were recalled for rear axle hub bolts that can break.
  • 10-speed transmissions on certain 2021 trucks could shift into neutral; harsh shifts are also commonly reported.
  • PowerBoost hybrids have reports of power loss and warning messages.
  • Wipers and lights were recalled on certain 2021–2022 trucks.

Rear axle hub bolts (Max Tow trucks)

Trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package use a heavy-duty 9.75-inch rear axle. A hub bolt in the rear wheel end can break from fatigue, damaging the axle splines. Owners describe a clicking or rattling before it fails, and the truck can roll in Park if the parking brake isn't set, or lose drive. Ford recalled certain 2021–2023 trucks (23V896000) and 2023–2025 trucks (25V512000); the repair replaces both rear axle shafts, and owners' complaints describe waiting for parts. About 250 complaints mention a hub, wheel or axle bolt.

Transmission

About 320 complaints mention the transmission, 177 of them from 2021 trucks. About 190 describe harsh, hard, clunky, jerky or delayed shifts or engagement. A software problem on some 2021 trucks could make the transmission falsely detect low fluid pressure and shift into neutral while driving (recall 22V188000, with a follow-up for trucks repaired incorrectly, 25V169000). Owners on forums also describe harsh low-speed shifts and hard downshifts; software updates help some trucks, others need further diagnosis. Later recalls covered a loose bolt that can stop the transmission engaging Park on certain 2022–2023 trucks (23V070000), a valve body that can lose reverse on certain 2024–2025 trucks (25V164000), and a park pawl that can engage while moving on certain 2021 trucks (26V402000; Ford expects the remedy in April 2027).

PowerBoost hybrid

96 complaints from trucks whose VIN shows a PowerBoost hybrid mention losing power, reduced power, a powertrain malfunction or fault, stalling or failing to accelerate. Owners describe "powertrain malfunction" and "reduced power" warnings and trucks that barely accelerate. Forum threads point to software updates and 12-volt battery problems as common fixes; have the cause diagnosed.

Recalls to check

  • Two-piece driveshafts that may separate, and heat shields that can damage the aluminum driveshaft on certain 2021–2022 trucks (21V381000, 21V986000, 22V623000)
  • Brake booster fluid leak on certain 2021 trucks (21V533000)
  • Broken intake valves on certain 2021–2022 2.7L EcoBoosts (24V635000; the dealer runs an engine test and replaces the engine if needed)
  • Engine cup plug that can cause a rapid oil leak on certain 2024–2025 3.5L EcoBoosts (24V851000, 25V198000)
  • Trailer brake controller and trailer module software on certain 2021–2026 trucks (22V193000, 25V132000, 26V104000)

Before you buy

  • Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls with the VIN. 2021 trucks often have several.
  • Check whether the truck has the Max Tow package and whether the axle recall is done.
  • Ask a dealer which factory warranty coverage is left for this VIN. Hybrid parts have longer coverage than the rest of the truck.
  • Bring our used truck inspection checklist.

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (30)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2021-2026 Ford F-150. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Rear axle hub bolt breaks (Max Tow trucks, 2021–2025)

    Dealer job

    Signs: A clicking or rattling from a rear wheel, then grinding. In bad cases the truck can roll in Park without the parking brake.

    Fix: Covered by Ford recalls 23V896000 (certain 2021–2023 trucks) and 25V512000 (certain 2023–2025 trucks) with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and 9.75-inch heavy-duty axle: the dealer replaces both rear axle shafts. Ford's letter says the wheel won't come off, but to contact a dealer as soon as possible if you hear clicking or rattling from a rear wheel center cap. Because damaged splines can let the truck roll in Park, setting the parking brake every time you park is a sensible precaution until it's repaired. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 23V896000 / 25V512000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • 10-speed shifts into neutral or shifts harshly (2021–2022)

    Dealer job

    Signs: The transmission drops into neutral while driving, or clunks hard between gears at low speed.

    Fix: On certain 2021 trucks, recall 22V188000 (and 25V169000 for trucks repaired incorrectly) updates the engine computer software so a false low-pressure reading can't shift the transmission into neutral. For harsh shifts, have a dealer read the codes, check the fluid and look for software updates or bulletins that apply to this VIN; software helps some trucks but not all, so a truck that still shifts badly needs further diagnosis before any parts are replaced. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 22V188000 / 25V169000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • PowerBoost hybrid loses power

    Dealer job

    Signs: 'Powertrain malfunction' or 'reduced power' warnings, or the truck barely accelerates from a stop.

    Fix: Have a dealer read the codes and test the 12-volt battery, then check for software updates and bulletins for the hybrid system; the warnings have several possible causes, so don't replace hybrid parts until the cause is confirmed. Ford covers hybrid unique components for 8 years or 100,000 miles from the date the truck was first sold; a dealer can confirm whether this truck is still eligible.

  • Windshield wipers stop working (2021–2022)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Wipers stop or the arms break, sometimes in rain.

    Fix: Covered by Ford recalls for the wiper motor (22V142000, certain 2021 trucks; 22V842000, certain 2021–2022 trucks) and the wiper arms (23V163000, certain 2021 trucks). If wipers fail on a truck that isn't covered, have the motor, linkage and fuse checked. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 22V142000 / 22V842000 / 23V163000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Parking lights flicker or headlights act up (2022)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Parking lights flicker when the headlights are on, or lights go out.

    Fix: Covered by Ford recalls on certain 2022 trucks (22V686000, then 23V802000 and 24V682000, including fixes for trucks repaired incorrectly the first time). Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 22V686000 / 23V802000 / 24V682000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →