2021 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems
- 85owner reports
- 54,520median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 11, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
314 of the 1,015 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 85 of those describe drivetrain problems. Only transmission shudder is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 85 reports
Drivetrain problems on other F-150 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: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025, 2026.
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 (75 reports), the driveshaft (8 reports) and the differential (7 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, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the F-150
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Open, led to recall 26V-237.
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Closed jan 30, 2026.
Unintended transmission downshift. Closed jul 29, 2024, led to recall 24V-444.
Unexpected transmission downshift. Closed oct 22, 2019, led to recall 19V-075.
Automatic transmission control. Closed aug 27, 1998, led to recall 97V-147.
Failure transmission park engagement/loc. Closed sep 16, 1997, led to recall 97V-147.
Transmission fluid fires. Closed jul 5, 1991.
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 22,000 and 80,200 miles, from the 35 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Ford F-150 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some vehicles in the Model section above may exhibit an intermittent grinding/hum/rumble noise from the front wheel area while in 2WD that goes away when the vehicle is put into 4WD.
Some 2021-2025 F-150 non-Raptor vehicles equipped with an ESOF transfer case (minor feature code FMLAS) may exhibit an intermittent grinding/hum/rumble noise from the front wheel area while in 2WD that goes away when the vehicle is put into 4WD.
Some 2021-2024 F-150 non-Raptor vehicles equipped with 4WD and ESOF transfer case (minor feature code FMLAS) may exhibit an intermittent grinding/hum/rumble noise from the front wheel area while in 2WD that goes away when the vehicle is put into 4WD.
Some 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles equipped with the rear 3/4 floating axle and with less than 5,000 miles (8,000 km) built on or before 10-Feb-2022 may exhibit various warning messages displayed/illuminated warning indicators in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) ...
What owners wrote
“Rear passenger side axle bolt sheared off at 15k miles. This seems to be a known issue with many other F150 owners.”
Filed Dec 12, 2022 · 15,000 miles
“This is the third rear axle bolt that has broken on this truck. It was found during a flat repair.”
Filed Nov 4, 2022
“The bolts that holds the wheel assemblies to the axle have both broke off. Right side in February and the left side in September. It allows the wheel and brake rotor assembly to move in and out on the axle shaft. The only thing holding the wheel on the truck is the brake rotor assembly. It was found during a tire rotation.”
Filed Sep 19, 2022
“I took truck in for an oil change and the service sept advised me that during the tire rotation they discovered the Axle bolt sheered off of driver side rear axle from normal use of truck. Dealer said ford advised them that the truck must sit till the axle is replaced due to it being a safety hazard to drive. My truck is now sitting at dealer waiting for a replacement axle.”
Filed Sep 13, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 85 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 94 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 80 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 72 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 67 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 64 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 51 reports
- Windshield wipers stop working 35 reports
- Fuel pump failure 31 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 30 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 29 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 26 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 25 reports