If you are shopping for a new Ford truck, you’ll want to read over this list of 2021-2026 Ford F-150 known problems.
This list was created with help from the F150gen14 forum and its members back in 2024. This is an updated story with new details based on information collected as of the latest topics on the forum.
Make sure you check out our other post on the least reliable 2026 full-size trucks according to Consumer Reports for details on all brands.
2021-2026 Ford F-150 known problems – 10-speed transmission
Let’s start with the more wide-spread major issues, then talk about minor issues affecting fewer owners. You can’t start with a more popular topic than the 10-speed transmission amongst owners.
Without a doubt, 10-speed transmission is the largest issue affecting some 2021-2026 Ford F-150 trucks.
This transmission, co-developed with General Motors, has many owners frustrated over harsh shifting.
There is already a class-action lawsuit over the transmission, and many owners have had to go the Lemon Law route on the truck.
One of the things people have been trying is to reset the transmission. It is learning transmission, which means it will learn and adapt to how you drive. The issue seems to be if you drive like a race car driver, then start driving like a cautious driver, you’ll experience issues.
User Porpoise Hork offers this on this issue:
“Clear the adaptive tables with Forscan. One of the parameters the adaptive tables do is set pressures and detect for slipping under different conditions. If the system has picked up an off pressure setting that is allowing the clutches to slip, clearing the tables may help fix it. This is something the tech should do after servicing the transmission anyway. So it’s worth a shot.
“Reset it and drive it calmly on surface streets for about 30 minutes to set the initial values. Then over the next 250-500 miles it will “re-learn” your driving style and adapt to it.”
I’ve spoken to several owners who have had this done at their dealership and it has completely fixed the issue. Others haven’t had such luck and have instead needed transmission work.
Rear Axle Bolt Shears Off – Two Recalls!
One particularly scary recall is a sheared bolt for PowerBoost owners with the maximum towing package as well as other F-150 trucks now thanks to a second recall. This bolt literally is sheared off the axle and you can spot on it the rear tire.
Forum user Snakebitten shared the following photos. He got his Ford F-150 repaired by the dealer, but this is definitely something to keep an eye out for when shopping.
The frustrating thing is Ford issued a recall for 2021-2023 F-150 trucks over the rear axle bolts shearing off and then issued another recall for 2023-2025 F-150 trucks over the same issue. Fix it already!
Recalls Galore
Another common complaint has been the myriad of recalls causing owners to miss work or leave their trucks at the dealership for days.
In fact, Ford led the industry in 2025 with the most recalls ever, here’s the 5 big ones. Looking back they led the industry in recalls in 2022 as well with 65 recalls, affecting 8.6 million vehicles. They have had the dubious honor of leading the industry in recalls for a few years now.
There have been recalls on items like parking lights, wiper motor and brake harness. This leads to time off of work and aggrevation dealing with making sure dealerships have parts and can finish the job in a day.
Blank Backup Cameras
Several forum users reported issues with the backup cameras showing a blank image on their truck’s screen.
A backup camera is now part of the Federally required safety equipment found in all new vehicles.
Ford isn’t alone in having issues with making sure they continue to work. It is common for water intrusion to get into the camera or the wiring to be faulty over time. Also, software updates on the infotainment system can sometimes cause conflicts causing the cameras to fail. It has been an ongoing issue in the industry.
They are fixing them and did issue a recall of over a million F-150 trucks and SUVs last year to address backup camera problems.
Less common 2021-2026 Ford F-150 known issues
The less common concerns from owners range from a variety of electrical issues, paint problems to general build issues.
For example, some owners have reported issues like rattling and insulation falling down into the cabin. I know this one too well, since the 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost I bought a few years ago for a long-term review truck had some rattles on the A-pillars near the windshield.
The electrical issues are mainly with radio and technology not working how it should. For example, Apple Car Play not connecting, key fob not working, etc… A few members also talked about paint problems and various other items.
Are there engine issues?
This list is absent of talk about the engines. What about them? Does Ford still have cam phaser issues? EcoBoost engines blowing turbos?
These model years come with three engine choices: 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost, 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V-8.
The EcoBoost is a twin-turbocharged engine and the PowerBoost is a hybrid powertrain using this engine.
First, getting specific details on reliability by engine type is nearly impossible. The data is just not separated out like this when you search online.
Second, when you look at Ford’s lineup of engines most people assume the problem spot will be the EcoBoost engines since they have turbochargers. Even though the first F-150 with an EcoBoost engine debuted back in 2011 model year and Ford primarily sells this engine throughout its lineup of trucks and SUVs, critics remain unconvinced.
The reality is I have yet to read or hear of widespread turbocharger failure from tens of thousands of engines or complete EcoBoost engine failure.
Sure you’ll find someone with a blown turbo if you look hard enough. You’ll also find people with issues like the cam phasers that affected 2017-2020 trucks. Those issues do come up and they are either fixed under warranty, recalled by the manufacturer or included in a class-action lawsuit to address the problem.
Frankly, if you look hard enough you’ll find enough issues with the 5.0L V8 as well to talk yourself out of that option as well.
For this article, the facts are, the forum didn’t list any major engine issues for 2021-2026 Ford F-150 trucks.
The post 2021-2026 Ford F-150 Known Problems – Transmission, Recalls, Engines Failure? appeared first on Pickup Truck +SUV Talk.
