2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid · symptom sheet
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems
- 50owner reports
- 18,288median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
123 of the 259 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 50 of those describe drivetrain problems, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2021 F-150 Hybrid.
Tick what matches of 50 reports
Drivetrain problems on other F-150 Hybrid years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2023.
What this problem usually is
Drivetrain reports describe the parts between the transmission and the wheels. Owners hear a clunk or bang from underneath, feel a vibration that rises and falls with speed, find fluid leaking under the differential, or get a 4WD or AWD warning. Some say it only happens turning or at low speed. A smaller group describes a driveshaft or axle that let go.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the CV joint or axle (47 reports) and the driveshaft (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
7 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.
The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.
Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
The two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in driveshaft separation.
All 29 recalls on the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 13,000 and 26,836 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Passenger rear axle bolt sheared off at 13,3xx miled# now the dri ers side axle bolt sheared off at 18,288 miles.”
Filed Jan 4, 2023 · 18,288 miles
“2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost Lariat, 3.5 V6, with Max Tow package - right rear axle bolt sheared off at about 11,000 miles. Cause to look included squeaky/screeching sound in right rear on both braking and with acceleration. Upon removing center wheel cap discovered axle bolt had sheared off and was simply sitting in the cavity of the center wheel cap.”
Filed Dec 8, 2022 · 11,000 miles
“Passenger rear axle bolt broken. This seems to be happening only on Max tow equipped vehicles, LOTS of them.”
Filed Sep 19, 2022
“Heard a metal grinding coming from the rear axle on . Took it to Ford dealer maic Haik in Georgetown Texas. The found the axle bolt had sheared off. It is in the shop currently waiting a warranty repair and the shop indicated this was not the first one they had seen.”
Filed Sep 12, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 50 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 27 reports