VehicleVerdict

2021 Ford F-150 electrical system problems

The 2021 Ford F-150 has 130 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

130

Electrical System complaints

11%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

4

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Related recalls

26V104000Electrical SystemFebruary 20, 2026 · 4,381,878 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

25V132000Electrical SystemFebruary 28, 2025 · 10,952 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-193. Due to a software error, a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system may not brake.

Consequence

Loss of trailer brake functionality can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the integrated trailer brake control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S18.

24V443000Electrical SystemJune 14, 2024 · 159 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Onboard Scales feature. An over-the-air software update to the body control module (BCM) may have disabled both reverse lights.

Consequence

Disabled reverse lights cannot alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 26, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S38.

22V193000Electrical SystemMarch 25, 2022 · 391,836 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles. Due to a software error, a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system may not brake.

Consequence

Loss of trailer brake functionality could result in extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the integrated trailer brake control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S17.

What owners report

While driving there were no warning indicator lights illuminated on the dash. He stated there were no mechanical defects, noises, or smells to be noted. Near Milepost [XXX] on [XXX] both occupants saw smoke begin to come from under the hood. The employee pulled the vehicle to the side of the road.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 15, 2024 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2021 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA has 130 complaints about the 2021 Ford F-150 electrical system — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2021 Ford F-150 electrical system?

Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 22V193000, 24V443000, 25V132000, 26V104000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.