NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Ford F-150 Safety Ratings
The 2021 Ford F-150 scores 72 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 29 recalls, and 925 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Ford F-150 presents a nuanced safety profile, with strong crash-test results offset by a high volume of recalls. Its 72/100 NHTSA Safety Index score places it in the Average band, a position heavily influenced by the 28 recalls issued for this model year. This defect record earned a subscore of 0/20, significantly impacting its overall standing despite otherwise solid performance metrics. Prospective owners should carefully consider the implications of these numerous recall obligations.
The 2021 Ford F-150 Super Crew 4WD earned a 5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 72/100, based on NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 94 Sedans from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Ford F-150 ranks 89 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 72 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 19.1% |
| Recalls on file | 29 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 925 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 89 of 94 Sedans tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Ford F-150?
The 2021 F-150 saw its defect record subscore collapse to 0 out of a possible 20 points, driving the NHTSA Safety Index down from 78/100 in 2020 to 72/100 in 2021. This six-point drop places it within the Average safety band. The year's defining safety story is its 28 recalls. One of these campaigns, addressing the automatic transmission, carries a park-outside or do-not-drive warning, indicating a credible risk of harm during vehicle operation. The scope of federal safety actions is unusually wide for this model year, with recalls affecting the powertrain, electrical trailer brake system, fuel pump, moonroof, and lighting. Crash protection remains a genuine strength for the 2021 F-150, scoring 66/70. This reflects the 5-star frontal and side crash ratings, alongside a solid 4-star rollover result. Avoidance technology, however, scores only 6/10 because both forward collision warning and lane departure warning are offered as optional equipment rather than standard. Electronic stability control is standard.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Ford F-150 perform in crash tests?
The 2021 F-150 Super Crew 4WD earned a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA, achieving perfect 5-star scores in both frontal and side protection. Its relative weakness was rollover, rated at 4 out of 5 stars, which includes a 19 percent rollover risk and a No Tip result in the dynamic tip test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15428
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
Yes. The 2021 F-150 carries 28 recall campaigns, including one park-outside or do-not-drive campaign tied to the automatic transmission. Additional campaigns cover the integrated trailer brake control electrical system, sun and moonroof assembly, gasoline fuel pump delivery, and backup lighting on vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature that were incorrectly repaired. The park-outside campaign demands immediate attention.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION26V489000
Risk: An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this r
Reported 2026-07-28
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26V402000
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th
Reported 2026-06-24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL26V104000
Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Reported 2026-02-20
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY25V729000
Risk: A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.
Reported 2025-10-24
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Reported 2025-07-07
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS25V348000
Risk: Inoperative reverse lights may fail to alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S57.
Reported 2025-05-23
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V315000
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is avail
Reported 2025-05-09
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)25V169000
Risk: An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S24.
Reported 2025-03-14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL25V132000
Risk: Loss of trailer brake functionality can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the integrated trailer brake control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S18.
Reported 2025-02-28
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS24V852000
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Reported 2024-11-08
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL24V635000
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
Reported 2024-08-23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE24V443000
Risk: Disabled reverse lights cannot alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 26, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S38.
Reported 2024-06-14
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has logged 925 unverified owner complaints for this model year. Alleged problem areas include Power Train (280 reports), Electrical System (122), Exterior Lighting (96), Unknown or Other (89), Engine (78), and Visibility (77). These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
925 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Ford F-150?
Any shopper considering a used 2021 F-150 should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before purchase. With 28 campaigns active, including a park-outside designation, confirming that every remedy has been completed at a dealership is the single most important safety step a buyer can take.
- The 2021 model year Safety Index dropped six points to 72/100 compared to the 2020 F-150's 78/100, with the defect-record subscore reaching 0/20 due to the volume and severity of recall activity specific to this production year.
- One of the 28 recalls carries a park-outside or do-not-drive designation targeting the automatic transmission on 2021 F-150 vehicles, representing the highest urgency level NHTSA assigns to a recall campaign.
- Forward collision warning and lane departure warning are listed as optional equipment on the 2021 F-150, meaning many units on the used market may not have these crash-avoidance features, which directly limits the avoidance tech subscore to 6/10.
- With 925 unverified NHTSA complaints, the Power Train category alone accounts for 280 alleged reports, and the most recent complaint was filed in 2026, indicating ongoing consumer reporting activity well into the vehicle's used-market life.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Ford F-150 places
The 2021 Ford F-150 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Ford F-150 safety questions
Was the 2021 Ford F-150 crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Ford F-150, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 72 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Ford F-150 crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Ford F-150 earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 19.1%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford F-150 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 29 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Ford F-150, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Ford F-150?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 925 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Ford F-150. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other F-150 years
Rivals in Sedan (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi S5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Maxima | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A4 Allroad | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5-V | 97/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Infiniti Q50 | 97/100 | not rated | 3 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15428), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford F-150 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 89 of 94 in the Sedan class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.