--- title: "2021-2025 Ford F-150 Problems and Years to Avoid" description: "6 documented problems with the 2021-2025 Ford F-150, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 4 of them are serious. 6 carry a recall or TSB number." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/common-problems" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2021-2025 Ford F-150 Common Problems and Years to Avoid 6 documented problems with the 2021-2025 Ford F-150, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 4 of them are serious. 6 carry a recall or TSB number. **Quick answer**: We have 6 documented problems on record for the 2021-2025 Ford F-150, of which 4 are serious and 6 carry a recall or service bulletin. ## 2021-2025 Ford F-150 recalls and service bulletins | Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity | | --- | --- | --- | | NHTSA 24V-635 (Ford 24S55) | 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost intake valve fracture (recall, engine replacement) | major | | NHTSA 21V-986 / 22V-623 (Ford 21S56 / 22S53) | Driveshaft damage from loose underbody insulators (recalls) | major | | NHTSA 23V-896, expanded 25V-512 (Ford 25S82) | Rear axle hub bolt failure, Trailer Tow Max Duty (recalls) | major | | NHTSA 22V-193 (Ford 22S17); follow-ups 25S18, 26C10 | Trailer brake controller software failures (recalls) | major | | NHTSA 22V-142 / 22V-842 / 22V-250 | Windshield wiper motor/arm failures (recalls) | moderate | | TSB 22-2428; NHTSA 25V-488 (Ford 25S77) | 10R80 harsh shifting continues; loss of power-brake assist on 2024-25 (recall) | moderate | Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding. ## 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost intake valve fracture (recall, engine replacement) (major) Intake valves in 2.7L (and 3.0L) EcoBoosts built May-October 2021 were ground from an out-of-spec Silchrome Lite alloy that can turn brittle and snap, dropping the valve into the cylinder and destroying the engine, usually early in life. Recall 24V-635 (Ford 24S55): dealers run an engine-cycle test and replace the engine free if it fails. If you're buying a 2021-2022 2.7L truck, verify this recall is closed. Most affected: 2021-2022 (2.7L EcoBoost; ~47,700 F-150s). Typical cost: Free under recall (engine test / replacement). Recall/TSB: NHTSA 24V-635 (Ford 24S55). ## Driveshaft damage from loose underbody insulators (recalls) (major) Underbody heat/noise insulators can loosen and rub the aluminum driveshaft until it scores and can fracture, loss of drive or worse if it hits the ground. Ford recalled 2021-2022 trucks twice (21V-986, expanded by 22V-623); dealers inspect the driveshaft, repair/replace as needed, and secure the insulators free. Most affected: 2021-2022. Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 21V-986 / 22V-623 (Ford 21S56 / 22S53). ## Rear axle hub bolt failure, Trailer Tow Max Duty (recalls) (major) Trucks with the Max Trailer Tow package and the 9.75-in HD 3/4-float axle can fatigue and snap rear-axle hub bolts, stripping the wheel-end splines, loss of drive or a truck that rolls away in Park without the parking brake. Recall 23V-896 was expanded in 2025 (25V-512, ~103,000 trucks); dealers replace both rear axle shaft assemblies with a revised design free. Most affected: 2021-2023 (Trailer Tow Max Duty package). Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 23V-896, expanded 25V-512 (Ford 25S82). ## Trailer brake controller software failures (recalls) (major) Software errors in the integrated trailer brake module could leave an electric-braked trailer with no brakes (22V-193, part of a 4.3M-vehicle campaign), and some trucks repaired incorrectly were re-recalled (25S18). A further 2021-2026 campaign (26C10) covers ITRM communication loss killing trailer brakes and lights. All are free software updates, critical if you tow. Most affected: 2021-2022 (later campaigns reach 2021-2026). Typical cost: Free under recall (software update). Recall/TSB: NHTSA 22V-193 (Ford 22S17); follow-ups 25S18, 26C10. ## Windshield wiper motor/arm failures (recalls) (moderate) 2021-2022 trucks had wiper motors that could quit entirely (22V-142, expanded by 22V-842) and 2020-2021 trucks had wiper arms that could loosen (22V-250). Dealers replace the motor or both arms free. If your wipers die in the rain, it's likely covered. Check the VIN before paying for a motor. Most affected: 2021-2022. Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 22V-142 / 22V-842 / 22V-250. ## 10R80 harsh shifting continues; loss of power-brake assist on 2024-25 (recall) (moderate) Harsh low-speed shifts, clunks, and occasional CDF-drum failures carry into 14th-gen 10R80s (same TSB 22-2428 family; adaptive relearn and reflash first, hardware second). Separately, 2024-2025 trucks built May 2024-June 2025 can lose power brake assist from an electronic brake booster fault, recall 25V-488 (Ford 25S77) fixes it with a free software update, OTA-capable. Most affected: 2021-2025 (shift quality); 2024-2025 (brake booster recall). Typical cost: Free (reflash/recall); $2,500-$4,000+ for out-of-warranty CDF drum repair. Recall/TSB: TSB 22-2428; NHTSA 25V-488 (Ford 25S77). Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2021-2025 Ford F-150. Not every vehicle will experience these issues. ## Which Ford F-150 model years does this cover? These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Ford F-150 built from 2021 through 2025, the 14th generation (2021-2025; 2024 facelift), full-size pickup (aluminum body; hybrid available; lightning ev is a separate model). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2021 F-150](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021) - [2022 F-150](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2022) - [2023 F-150](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2023) - [2024 F-150](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2024) - [2025 F-150](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2025) ## What changed during the 2021-2025 Ford F-150 | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2021 | Generation launch: PowerBoost hybrid + Pro Power Onboard debut, 10R80 across the lineup, final Power Stroke diesel year; busy first-year recall list (steering gear 21V-407, EBB 21V-533, driveshaft 21V-381/21V-986) | | 2022 | Raptor returns on 37s (optional); Lightning EV launches as a separate model; LED headlamp module recalls begin (22V-686) | | 2023 | Raptor R (5.2L supercharged V8) added; final year of the 3.3L V6 and rear Max-Tow axle recall window (23V-896) | | 2024 | Facelift: new fascias, standard 12-in screens, Pro Access tailgate; 2.7L EcoBoost becomes the base engine; hybrid renamed simply 'hybrid' and price gap narrowed | | 2025 | Carryover; 2024-built trucks fall under the 25V-488 electronic brake booster software recall. Check VIN | ## 2021-2025 Ford F-150 problems and recalls: common questions ### What are the most common problems with the 2021-2025 Ford F-150? The recurring ones are: 2.7l/3.0l ecoboost intake valve fracture (recall, engine replacement); driveshaft damage from loose underbody insulators (recalls); rear axle hub bolt failure, trailer tow max duty (recalls); trailer brake controller software failures (recalls); windshield wiper motor/arm failures (recalls). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost. ### Which 2021-2025 Ford F-150 years should you avoid? The years to be most careful with are those affected by 2.7l/3.0l ecoboost intake valve fracture (recall, engine replacement) (2021-2022 (2.7L EcoBoost; ~47,700 F-150s)) and driveshaft damage from loose underbody insulators (recalls) (2021-2022) and rear axle hub bolt failure, trailer tow max duty (recalls) (2021-2023 (Trailer Tow Max Duty package)) and trailer brake controller software failures (recalls) (2021-2022 (later campaigns reach 2021-2026)). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely. ### Are there recalls on the 2021-2025 Ford F-150? 6 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: NHTSA 24V-635 (Ford 24S55) (2.7l/3.0l ecoboost intake valve fracture (recall, engine replacement)), NHTSA 21V-986 / 22V-623 (Ford 21S56 / 22S53) (driveshaft damage from loose underbody insulators (recalls)), NHTSA 23V-896, expanded 25V-512 (Ford 25S82) (rear axle hub bolt failure, trailer tow max duty (recalls)), NHTSA 22V-193 (Ford 22S17); follow-ups 25S18, 26C10 (trailer brake controller software failures (recalls)), NHTSA 22V-142 / 22V-842 / 22V-250 (windshield wiper motor/arm failures (recalls)), TSB 22-2428; NHTSA 25V-488 (Ford 25S77) (10r80 harsh shifting continues; loss of power-brake assist on 2024-25 (recall)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding. ### How much do 2021-2025 Ford F-150 repairs typically cost? Typical figures for the issues above: 2.7l/3.0l ecoboost intake valve fracture (recall, engine replacement), Free under recall (engine test / replacement); driveshaft damage from loose underbody insulators (recalls), Free under recall; rear axle hub bolt failure, trailer tow max duty (recalls), Free under recall; trailer brake controller software failures (recalls), Free under recall (software update). ## Sources - [2022 Ford F-150 Owner's Manual (Ford service content), capacities and specifications](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2022-Ford-F-150-Owners-Manual-version-1_om_EN-US_10_2021.pdf) - [F150gen14 forum, 2021 5.0L 5W-30 / 7.7-qt sump change discussion (owner's manual excerpts)](https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/2021-v8-oil-capacity.4358/) - [NHTSA recall 24V-635 chronology, 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost intake valves](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RMISC-24V635-2546.pdf) - [Astro Ford / NHTSA, F-150 recall hub (driveshaft, trailer brake, axle, EBB campaigns)](https://www.astroford.com/recalls/ford-f-150-recalls.htm) - [Car and Driver, Ford EcoBoost intake-valve engine failure recall](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a62044486/ford-f150-bronco-explorer-edge-lincoln-nautilus-aviator-engine-failure-recall/) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2023 Ford F-150 EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2023_Ford_F150.shtml) - [Wheel-Size.com, 2022 Ford F-150 OE fitments](https://www.wheel-size.com/size/ford/f-150/2022/) - [Cars.com, 2021 F-150 towing capacities breakdown (14,000-lb max)](https://www.cars.com/articles/breaking-down-the-2021-ford-f-150s-towing-capacities-433112/) - [Motorcraft, MERCON ULV automatic transmission fluid (10R80)](https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/transmission-fluid/mercon-ulv-automatic-transmission-fluids.html/100) ## Other Ford F-150 generations - [2015-2020 Ford F-150 problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2015-2020/common-problems) - [2012-2014 Ford F-150 problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/common-problems) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/common-problems). ## More for the 2021-2025 Ford F-150 - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/service-schedule) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.