Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the contact was flagged down by a nearby driver and advised to pull the vehicle over to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact exited the vehicle and proceeded to inspect the vehicle. The contact noticed that the rear driver's side rim cap had detached. The contact stated that the center axle bolt was still attached to the rim cap. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rear axle half shaft and hub and the rear axle half shaft and hub needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the driver's side rear axle bolt had previously been replaced and was under an unknown recall. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the transmission independently shifted to neutral, and the vehicle decelerated. In addition, the power train failure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that within several seconds, the vehicle returned to normal speed, and the power train failure warning light was no longer illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving on a major highway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an external transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced, and the software needed an update. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of an unknown recall however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving in electric mode at an unknown speed, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate with the transmission in 8th gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle made an abnormal noise and shifted into 1st gear independently. The contact stated he had experienced the failure 5 times within 2 months. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V188000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,800.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. 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 and informed the contact that the remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 informed the contact that the remedy would not be available until the end of 2026. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift into neutral while the vehicle was being towed. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with powertrain control module failure. The contact was informed that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train). The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake wear indicator started chirping. The vehicle was taken to the residence where the rear driver's side wheel was removed, and the rear axle bolt fell to the ground. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the tires were rubbing and that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
The axle retaining bolt that retains the floating axle to the hub failed and resulted in the floating axle splines at the hub failing. This is a known issue (see Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 22B34) but the recall only applies to vehicles manufactured from May 1st, 2021 to September 30th, 2021. My vehicle had the exact failure described by the recall (including the tell-tale ticking sound before failure). However, the build date for my vehicle is March 17th, 2021. Clearly the recall should be on trucks earlier than the May 1 date. The truck was built at the Dearborn Plant. I am assuming the other axle suffers from the same issue and will also fail.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal scraping sound coming from the rear driver's side of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the driver's and passenger's side rear axle bolts had sheared off. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to Customer Satisfaction Program: 22B34, but the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed and while reversing, the contact stated that his wife heard an abnormal rubbing sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured driveshaft. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The contact related the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V986000 (Power Train, Structure) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a humming and tapping sound was present coming from the rear undercarriage of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the underbody insulator was faulty and had caused damage to the driveshaft. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously inspected under the NHTSA Campaign Number 21V986000 (Power Train, Structure) however, the vehicle experienced a failure after the inspection. The failure mileage was 26,836.
Transmission complaints in other F-150 Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid?
NHTSA has 125 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid, 47% of the model year's 264 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › gear position indication (prndl) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.