2021 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Windshield cracks or distorts
- 51owner reports
- 46,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
163 of the 1,015 complaints on this car are about the windshield and wipers. 51 of those describe windshield.
Tick what matches of 51 reports
Windshield 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: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Many windshield complaints are about cracks owners can't explain: a line that starts at the edge of the glass, or a small chip that spreads. Nearly one in five of these complaints mentions it happening again or a second windshield.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the windshield (51 reports).
Recalls and investigations
6 recalls on the windshield and wipers cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
All 29 recalls on the 2021 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the windshield and wipers on the F-150
Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.
Spare tire wear. Closed jul 27, 1999.
Spare tire mounting. Closed mar 17, 1999.
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 20,000 and 60,000 miles, from the 25 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 2021-2026 F-150 vehicles may exhibit a concern of the windshield wipers not parking in the correct position on the windshield and/or over-traveling. This may be due to incorrect alignment of the wiper pivot arm on the wiper linkage assembly.
Some 2021-2022 F-150 and F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a B and O audio system may exhibit the rear window glass sliding panel rattling when in the open position and music is playing.
Some 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles equipped with a B and O® audio system may exhibit the rear window glass sliding panel rattling when in the open position and music is playing.
Some 2015-2021 F-150, 2017-2021 F-Super Duty and 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a vista roof opening panel may exhibit a binding/sticking, glass stuck open or closed, noisy operation including chatter, rattling, or grinding.
What owners wrote
“Windshield wiper motor failure during a heavy rain driving down [XXX] at night with children in truck on the way to a soccer tournament in Tulsa Oklahoma. Had new wiper motor replaced at dealership due to failure. No symptoms or warning prior to the failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
Filed Apr 15, 2025
“I was driving to in the morning and my entire rear window randomly shattered and glass flew everywhere in my truck and on me in the drivers seat.”
Filed Apr 1, 2025
“Just bought this truck. I was driving down the highway and my sunroof had exploded and blew off the top of my truck. I also noticed that my windshield is wavy and hard to see through.”
Filed Jan 31, 2025
“My rear passenger window shattered. My niece opened the door and the glass shattered. The window pane was held together by after market tint. It then fell under the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection until Friday, July 27, when it is scheduled for repair. The safety of the passengers was putt in jeopardy sure to the nature of the incident.”
Filed Jul 18, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 51 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 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