2021 FORD F-150 Power Train Problems

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the passenger’s side rear axle shaft assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Vehicle: 2021 Ford F-150 (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle has been undrivable due to since Aug 4, 2025 and is currently at a Ford dealer in Amarillo, TX. Ford/dealer state it is undrivable due to a recall condition and that parts are not available / no ETA for remedy. Component: rear axle nuts and axle shafts, axle shafts are stripped, may cause rollaway or power loss while driving ,according to Ford. The vehicle has been inspected by Ford at Tri-State Ford in Amarillo, TX where the vehicle has been held since August 4th, 2025. Ford says the axles are under the recall, the recall claims parts are available, but the Amarillo Ford (Tri-State Ford) has NOT fixed the vehicle and states they have no idea when they will get the parts. Ford also sent a message several months ago saying they have no ideal when the parts will be available....

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while stopped, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle stopped in the middle of the road and failed to move even while in neutral(N). Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a defective fuel pump. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact was provided with an estimate for the repair, which the contact approved. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

The vehicle is experiencing a chronic, documented loss of engine coolant with no external leaks identified, accompanied by a persistent odor of burning coolant. Despite nine months of notification and two separate Ford authorized dealerships attempting repairs, the defect remains unresolved. To date, dealerships have performed only 'surface-level' pressure and dye tests. They have refused to perform thorough diagnostics despite the clear evidence of consumption. This creates a severe safety hazard: coolant loss on this engine platform is a known precursor to sudden engine stall and potential engine fire. By failing to identify the internal leak path, Ford is requiring me to operate a vehicle with an unpredictable mechanical deficit. The absence of a Warning Lamp (CEL) does not mitigate the risk; it confirms a mechanical failure that the current onboard diagnostics are failing to capture before a catastrophic event occurs.

My 2021 Ford F-150 has been inoperable for over three months due to a safety recall involving the rear axle hub. The dealer and manufacturer have been unable to remedy the recall within a reasonable time due to parts unavailability, and no repair timeline has been provided. I requested a loaner vehicle from the dealer and was told there were six to seven customers ahead of me. The dealer reported to Ford corporate that I declined a loaner vehicle, which is not accurate. No loaner was made available to me, and I was forced to obtain alternate transportation through my employer. The dealer initially required payment to inspect my vehicle for the recall and held the truck for approximately one week before stating the issue was not recall related. When I asked how this determination was made, I was told additional payment was required to disassemble the rear hub for...

There is a hard jerk that happens when moving from a dead stop and then it will shift into gear. Its been reproduced by a maintenance shop. They stated it was the transmission. It has not been inspected by a manufacturer. There was no warning lamps which causes a high risk of safety, including a possibility of accident while on the road.

When the truck is put into reverse especially when cold the transmission does not initially go into gear. When it finally does the vehicle lurches rearward violently and I have to slam on the brakes to not hit anything. The transmission was just "bench" rebuilt under the Ford powertrain warranty supposedly with a CDF drum and valve body replacement along with software updates including adaptive reset and relearn with the appropriate drive cycles however the vehicle still exhibits this condition. I called Ford customer service and filed a complaint with them last month. They told me to bring to another dealer which the vehicle is currently at and has been for a month. They claim that it is normal for this transmission and refuse to fix it. I have video evidence of the truck being put into reverse and the RPM rising before it slams into reverse. I also demonstrated...

Right rear axle bolt sheared off. This was first reported to dealer in mid 2025 and recall repair has not yet been completed. This is Ford recall 23S65, NHTSA recall 23V896.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission shifted hard with unintended upshifts. The contact stated that the vehicle was able shift out of a higher gear occasionally upon switching to manual mode. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

10 speed transmission is not working 1 still gear hyper extends dont wanna shift 2 gear bangs 3 rundown rough then sometimes dowshifts back to 2 nd gear the transmission dosent wanna get hot to normal level

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected, and there was oil under the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle in the wheel well. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle hub bolts were fractured and needed to be replaced. The differential fluid was refilled, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Transmission downshifted while driving at speed causing wheels to lock up.

We have taken our F-150 to the dealership multiple times for a clunking issue under the truck, and have been told that it is related to the recall issued. Although, it has never been repaired. We take it in a couple of weeks ago for the exact same issue that has been going on since October of 2024 and suddenly it is a transmission issue. We are told that they can gladly repair the transmission for $10,000 now that they put us off until the extended warranty expired. I think this is happening a lot, as the exact thing happened to my friend's daughter. Also, it appears upon doing a little research that 2021-2024 F-150s and Explorers have this issue frequently well before they reach the 100,000 mile mark. Many times before the buyer has even paid off the loan for said automobiles. This surely poses a safety risk, as...

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V896000 (POWER TRAIN) and 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a fractured passenger’s side rear bolt. The dealer advised the contact that the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. Most recently, the contact called the dealer and was informed that no appointments were available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

My truck started to over heat due to lost of radiator fluid. The cause was the transmission coolant line chafing against front drive shaft.

I have received multiple letter from Ford indicating the solution for this recall 23S65 is available at dealership. However, every ford dealership I have reached out to says there are no parts available to fix the recall. My ford dealership has placed the order on November 2025 but they have no ETA when the parts will become available.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, Advancetrac, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the failure was due to an unrepaired recall. The contact was informed that parts were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). Additionally, the contact stated that the parts had been on back order since January 2025. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

4 months after taking vehicle in for recall fixes, both recalls on vehicle have not been remediated due to parts not being available. No ETA on availability and get a run around when asking for more info. Hub Shaft Recall stats that driving the vehicle with a broken hub bolt will wear shafts but no loaner was given so I have no choice but to drive vehicle with a broken bolt. Ford customer service told me its ok to drive the vehicle but never stated if they are replacing the entire rear end or just the parts listed on the recall.. What is dirving the vehicle ruins the splines on the shafts. Are they going to replace those as well?

We own a 2021 Ford F-150, that is down since the first of September, 2025, due to recall 23S65. We've been in weekly contact with our local dealer since then. They are doing everything possible to get the parts in to repair our truck, but parts are and have been on backorder, with no ETA from Ford. We have also been in contact with Ford customer service in Dearborn and had an open case with them. They have closed our case because they can't help and told us the local dealer is responsible, then they moved us to recall department now and no longer respond. We feel 4 months is a ridiculous amount of time on Ford's part for these parts to be on and still on backorder. We have no option for help and wondering if you could. It's has been an extremely difficult situation for us to be...

My vehicle has been with the Ford dealership for about a month and the mechanic and the engineers still have not found why my vehicle is giving a service wrench warning. When driving the vehicle will flash red warning lights which makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. I have paid for an Auxiliary Transmission Pump and battery. This did not fix my truck. The dealership said they replaced the PCM, but it didn’t fix the truck. I seen that these trucks had recalls.

Reference NHTSA Safety Recall 23V896. On our truck, the right rear axle hub bolt broke the last week of July 2025 (exact date unknown; bolt head caught behind hub cap). I made a an appointment with our local Ford service on August 4. To date (January 6, 2026 or 5 months), the repair has not been completed because the replacement parts are backordered nationwide. Per the recall notice, driving the truck risks further damage and possible injury or crash. Anecdotally (online forums and other resources) and despite the reported backorder, the recalls are being completed in a timely fashion in parts of the country. Some recalls apparently are being completed even on trucks where the bolts have yet not failed. Obviously parts are available because Ford is selling new trucks which presumably are not subject to the recall. In December, we were 14,000+ "in line" for the parts according to...

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V896000 (Power Train) and 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the recall remedy part was not available. The contact was unable to reach the manufacturer due a prerecorded message. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Loss of engine power when transmission shifts from 3rd gear to 2nd gear. Truck will unexpectedly loose ability to accelerate, typically until shift to 1st or 3rd gear occurs. Return of power can cause vehicle to accelerate rapidly and unexpectedly. Malfunctions typically happens in parking lots and while yielding to make a turn, but also happens in stop and go traffic. Concerned of loss of acceleration while pulling out in traffic. No warning lamps or error codes when failure occurs. I've been working with the dealer to resolve for 1 year with nothing done. After 11 months the dealer acknowledged there is an issue, but is unsure of cause or how to repair. Now recommending an entire transmission replacement and not sure if that will resolve.

Dealer has now had my car for almost 60 days with no resolution Manufacturer Recall Number23S65 NHTSA Recall Number23V896 My asset is basically frozen at this point with zero ETA and any care from FORD. I am willing to trade it in at this point but can’t even do that.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the contact heard an abnormally loud booming sound. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle. Upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that the driveshaft was fractured and damaged. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the heat shield had rubbed on the driveshaft, and the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V986000(Power Train, Structure); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

The transmission was slipping in 2nd and 10th gear. This was confirmed by the dealer. A full transmission had to be replaced at 66,000 miles. The vehicle had an excellent maintenance record and well kept. Ford did pay half of the cost but I still ended up spending $6k out of pocket and my vehicle was in the shop for 27 days.

Description of Incident: The vehicle exhibits a severe and unpredictable transmission "shudder," "stutter," and hesitation during gear synchronization, specifically during 1st–3rd and 8th–10th gear transitions. This manifest as a violent "shaking" sensation and a loss of momentary acceleration while merging into high-speed traffic. This issue was first reported to an authorized Ford dealership on December 17, 2024. At that time, the vehicle exhibited harsh shifting and "shuddering" consistent with Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2428. Despite being under a 150,000-mile service contract, the dealer misdiagnosed the mechanical transmission defect as an engine misfire, resulting in ineffective repairs. The defect has persisted and worsened. The internal failure has been identified as a defective CDF Clutch Drum (Cylinder) where an internal bushing moves out of place, obstructing fluid flow and causing mechanical "slip." This is a known manufacturing defect documented in multiple Ford TSBs (22-2428, 23-2250, and 24-2101). Safety Risk: The failure...

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V896000 (POWER TRAIN), 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), and 25V729000 (VISIBILITY). The dealer was contacted. However, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the phone call was dropped five times. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Ford has refused, on multiple occasions and at multiple dealerships, to address the NHTSA Recall Number 23V896 (MFG. Recall Number 23S65) issue with the Wheel End Hub Bolt in the rear axle. Well, this weekend, the bolt on the passenger side rear axle broke off, rendering the vehicle undriveable. I brought it in to the Lithia Ford Dealership (who's online information said they were open) to get it addressed. They were closed, no one was there, and they won't even give me a loaner vehicle while the F-150 is inoperable. This recall has been out for two years now and they still won't deal with it. Absolute neglect of their obligations and an unsafe practice!

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear axle bolt was fractured. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted three times. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that parts would not be available until the third quarter of 2026. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost drive power in the middle of the road. The contact stated that the failure occurred while crossing a four-lane highway. The contact stated that the contact's brother and the contact's son were additional occupants of the vehicle. The contact and the contact's brother pushed the vehicle across the road to a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the failure was due to the unrepaired recall. In addition, the contact was informed that the parts were not available. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for more than five and a half months. The contact stated that the NHTSA.GOV website indicated that the parts were available; however, the...

The transmission will downshifting and the transmission starts jerking then the engine starts missing for about 30 seconds to a minute but the ford dealership said it's not showing any codes so it's not happening now I can't get it fixed they didn't think having a vehicle that starts missing for no reason isn't a problem but the torque converter won't throw codes and it's attached directly to the crankshaft so it's messing with the engine to get it to start missing

Transmission downshift to first gear on the highway

The transmission shifts hard from 1st to 3rd during the first few minutes of operations. When I make the turn out of my resident each morning, it nearly fishtails due to the fat that the transmission stays in 1st gear until around 2500-3000 rpms, then shifts violently to 3rd gear. The tires actually spin. After a few stop and goes, and the transmission has cycled through the gears several times, it shifts normally. I have taken it to the Ford dealer in Royal Palm Beach, FL. They said that there were no recalls, despite there being several complaints from other truck owners about the same issue. Ford knows that the 10 speed transmission in the F150 has shifting issues.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V896000 (Power Train), 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention), 25V455000 (Fuel system, Gasoline), and 25V729000 (Visibility). The contact stated that the part to do the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000(Power Train) was not yet available. The contact stated that the first month that the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle experienced failures. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clicking and rattling sound coming from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to CarMax and then to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the rear-end axle hub bolt needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure....

I have taken my truck to two seperate ford dealerships. Both acknowledging something strange on the transmission with the hesitations, the jerkiness and the hard shifting that happens. The first replaced the trans fluid and the filter. The second dealer replaced the valve body. During the 5th visit. They had me drive around their foreman to show him the problems. While he did feel the jerkiness and hesitations I feel, he said that its pretty much not bad enough yet and that the dealership would be held responsible for the cost of a new transmission if they replaced it and ford deemed it not needing to be replaced. Ford corp told me they wouldn't intervene with their attempt to fix it. The ford dealer sent me home and didn't fix anything the 5th time, even after explaining I felt harsh jerking on the way home to the point it felt...

Recall for rear axel has not been repaired this is now overdue my ford dealer claims parts have not been provided by Ford Corporation.

Daytime running lights quit working. This happens on numerous f150s with reflector headlights. Transmission issues hard shifting and downshifting that could cause wreck due to sudden slowing of vehicle. Known issue with f150 2021-2023

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

When making right turn to get on highway accelerate pedal pressed vehicle wont take of after releasing pedal and pressing again few times thn it takes off. Its been twice already i was gonna get rear ended

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle into the dealer for regular service, the contact was informed that the rear axle hub was fractured. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 32,000.

Pulling onto [XXX] , with cars coming at me at 55 MPH or more, the transmission slammed into gear and caused it to stall. Dealership diagnosed CDF failure and recommended replacement of the transmission. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle was shaking erratically. There were no warning lights illuminated. In addition, the gear shifter independently shifted into neutral. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and jolted erratically while driving, and upon coming to a stop. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission, the catalytic converter, and other unknown parts had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150.

Ford has released multiple TSBs related to a known design flaw with their 10r80 transmission that causes the transmission to experience hard shifts while moving and often occurs in traffic. The hard shifts can cause the vehicle to stall which creates a very unsafe situation, especially on highways and interstates. The transmission defect has been redesigned in newer vehicles, however, there are thousands if not hundred of thousands of these vehicles on roadways that can break down suddenly causing a major accident. The ford owners forums have been riddle with concerns about this issue related to the CDF drum in the 10r80 transmission.

Recall 23S65 has been active since January of 2024. Ford has failed to provide the necessary parts to repair my F150. Through my communications to Ford, they have been made aware of the fact that multiple mechanics have indicated that my truck is in need of immediate repair. Ford’s failure to provide the necessary relief to a recall from January of 2024 renders my $45,000 ($72,000 new) truck basically useless to me. It is not safe to drive any distance, nor should it be towing a camper. Ford personnel are not returning my calls to discuss options to provide relief. We have been patient but now believe Ford is negligent in handling this recall and are unwilling or unable to provide necessary equipment and relief. To note, this complaint is directed at Ford Motor Company. Service Representative [XXX] at Griffin Ford has been attentive and as helpful as he can...

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the contact noticed an abnormal grinding sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with rear axle failure. The contact was informed that parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train); however, parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer was contacted several times to schedule an appointment for the recall repair, however the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal metallic sound. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the brake pads were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, where it was determined that the rear axle hub bolt had fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train); however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall part was on backorder and would be available in October. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 82,500.