2021 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Transmission fails or needs replacement
- 29owner reports
- 66,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
314 of the 1,015 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 29 of those describe transmission failure.
Tick what matches of 29 reports
Transmission failure 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, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the end of the road for a transmission: the car stops moving under its own power, or a shop says the unit has to be replaced or rebuilt. Half of the owners here mention a warning light or message, and a quarter mention it happening again or to a second unit.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (29 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 48,000 and 90,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Transmission began shifting hard through each gear. Especially on deceleration. Causes lunging. Early signs were at about 90K miles. Undrivable at 130K. Took to dealership and the said it needs a new transmission. Just under $9k. Their words were, "This is a known design failure". A drum bushing can slide out of position.”
Filed Jul 6, 2026 · 90,000 miles
“My truck started shifting gears hard while driving and wouldnât go into reverse when parking. Performance transmission shop is telling me I need a new transmission. Getting multiple error codes.”
Filed Apr 3, 2026
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 29 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
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 94 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 85 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
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 26 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 25 reports