Used Ford F-150 Buyer's Guide (2021–2024)
Check the VIN for open recalls: parking brake wiring, 2.7L intake valves, Max Trailer Tow axle bolts and 10-speed software.
Photo: Gold Pony, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The 2021 F-150 started a new generation of America's best selling truck. You can find it as a plain work truck or a loaded luxury pickup. For 2021 Ford offered six powertrains, including the first F-150 hybrid, and every one uses a 10-speed automatic.
Used buyers like it for the choice of engines, the towing ratings and the tech inside. The catch is the recall list. NHTSA's lookup shows more recall campaigns for the 2021 model year than for any later year of this truck. Most are fixed free at a Ford dealer, so what matters is whether the work was done.
When you shop one, run the VIN for open recalls, ask for the dealer records, and have the truck driven and scanned. A few of these recalls cover parts that can fail without warning, like the parking brake wiring, the rear axle bolts on heavy tow trucks, and intake valves on some 2.7L engines.
- 3.3L V6 (through 2023)
- 2.7L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6
- 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6
- 5.0L V8
- 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid V6
- 3.0L Power Stroke diesel V6 (early years only)
Used Ford F-150 buyer's guide · Watch on YouTube. The narration is computer generated.
Fourteenth generation, sold as model years 2021–2024.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L V6 | 2021–2023 | 10-speed automatic | The base gas engine until the 2024 refresh dropped it. |
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 2021–2024 | 10-speed automatic | Became the standard engine for 2024. Some 2021 and 2022 engines are in an intake valve recall. |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 2021–2024 | 10-speed automatic | The strongest gas choice for towing. Some 2024 engines are in an oil plug recall. |
| 5.0L V8 | 2021–2024 | 10-speed automatic | The only V8 in the regular lineup, with no turbos. |
| 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid | 2021–2024 | 10-speed automatic with electric motor | The hybrid can power tools through the onboard generator. |
| 3.0L Power Stroke diesel | 2021–2023 | 10-speed automatic | Rare. It was gone by the 2024 refresh, so confirm a diesel by the VIN. |
SOURCE Car and Driver 2021 F-150 · Car and Driver 2022 F-150 · Car and Driver 2023 F-150 · Car and Driver 2024 F-150
- XL The basic work truck.
- XLT The volume trim with more comfort features.
- Lariat Leather and more tech.
- King Ranch Western themed luxury.
- Platinum Upscale trim with more standard gear.
- Limited The top luxury trim.
- Tremor Off-road trim with its own suspension.
- Rattler Added for 2023. A lower cost off-road trim based on the XL FX4.
- Raptor The high speed off-road model, reviewed separately by most press.
- 2024 The refresh made the turbo 2.7L standard and put a 12-inch screen in every truck, per Car and Driver. NHTSA's lookup lists fewer recall campaigns for 2024 than for 2021 or 2022, but check the steering and transmission recalls.
- 2023 Fewer recall campaigns in NHTSA's lookup than 2021 or 2022. Confirm the parking brake, axle and fuel tank strap recalls.
- 2021 First year of the generation. NHTSA's lookup lists the most recall campaigns for it, including the 26V-402 park pawl recall whose final fix Ford expected in April 2027.
- 2022 Shares many 2021 recalls, including 2.7L intake valves, driveshaft insulators and wiper motors.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
Ford recalled 2021 to 2023 F-150s with a single exhaust because a wiring harness can rub on the rear axle. That can make the electric parking brake turn on by itself while you drive. Ford's filing with NHTSA covers 870,701 trucks and estimates about 1 percent have the defect. Dealers add a tie strap and tape wrap and replace the harness if needed.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recall 23V-509, look at the harness along the rear axle, and road test the truck while watching for parking brake warnings.
Ford recalled some 2021 and 2022 trucks with the 2.7L EcoBoost because intake valves can break while driving. That can ruin the engine and cut power. Dealers run an engine cycle test and replace the engine if it fails.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recall 24V-635, listen to the engine at idle and under load, and scan for misfire codes.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-635
Trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and the 9.75-inch heavy duty rear axle can break a rear axle hub bolt. Ford says that can damage the hub splines, which can cause a loss of drive, or a rollaway in park if the parking brake is off. The 2021 to 2023 trucks are recall 23V-896 and 2023 to 2025 trucks are recall 25V-512. The fix is new rear axle shafts on both sides.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls, look for gear oil at the rear hubs, and listen for clunks when shifting and on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-896 · NHTSA recall 25V-512
On some 2021 and 2022 trucks, underbody heat and noise insulators can come loose and rub the aluminum driveshaft until it cracks. Ford covered this in recalls 21V-986 and 22V-623. Dealers inspect the driveshaft, repair it as needed and fasten the insulators.
WE CHECK We look under the truck for loose shields and rub marks on the driveshaft and check the VIN for both recalls.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 21V-986 · NHTSA recall 22V-623
Several recalls touch the 10-speed. On some 2021 trucks a false low fluid pressure code can drop the truck into neutral (22V-188, and 25V-169 for trucks repaired wrong the first time). A 2026 recall (26V-402) says the park pawl on some 2021 trucks can engage while moving, and Ford expected the final fix in April 2027. Some 2024 trucks have a valve body that can cause reverse failure or movement in neutral (25V-164).
WE CHECK We scan the transmission for codes, check the VIN for each recall, and road test for harsh or missed shifts and clean engagement into park and reverse.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 22V-188 · NHTSA recall 25V-169 · NHTSA recall 26V-402 · NHTSA recall 25V-164
Ford recalled 2021 and 2022 trucks because the wiper motor can stop working (22V-142, expanded as 22V-842). Separate recalls cover wiper arms that can break on some 2021 trucks (22V-250 and 23V-163).
WE CHECK We run the wipers at every speed and check the VIN for the wiper recalls.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 22V-142 · NHTSA recall 22V-842 · NHTSA recall 22V-250 · NHTSA recall 23V-163
Some 2024 trucks were built with the wrong fastener on the lower steering shaft (24V-329) or the wrong rack in the steering gear (25V-022). Either can lead to a loss of steering control. An earlier recall (21V-407) covered steering gears with internal damage on some 2021 trucks.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for each steering recall, turn the wheel lock to lock, and feel for binding or clunks on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-329 · NHTSA recall 25V-022 · NHTSA recall 21V-407
In September 2026 Ford recalled some 2023 to 2027 F-150s because the fuel tank may not be secured and can leak or come loose (26V-578). Owner letters were due to go out September 21, 2026. Separately, some 2024 trucks with the 3.5L EcoBoost can have a misaligned engine cup plug that leaks oil fast (24V-851).
WE CHECK We look at the fuel tank straps and for fuel smell or wet spots, look for oil under the engine, and check the VIN for both recalls.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 26V-578 · NHTSA recall 24V-851
Ford has recalled trailer brake and trailer light software more than once (22V-193, 25V-132, and 26V-104 covering 2021 to 2026 trucks). Rearview camera software recalls also cover these trucks (25V-315, and 26V-489 for 2021 to 2023 trucks with the 8-inch screen). Many of these fixes can be done over the air.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for each software recall, check the update history, and test the backup camera and the trailer brake controller.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 22V-193 · NHTSA recall 25V-132 · NHTSA recall 26V-104 · NHTSA recall 25V-315 · NHTSA recall 26V-489
- Run the VIN for open recalls and match them to dealer records
- Scan every module for stored codes, including transmission and parking brake
- Road test for shift quality, parking brake warnings and steering feel
- Listen to the engine cold and warm, and look for oil leaks
- Inspect the rear axle, hubs, driveshaft and underbody shields
- Check the fuel tank straps and the parking brake harness near the rear axle
- Test the wipers, backup camera and trailer brake controller
- Dealer records showing each recall on the VIN report was done, especially 23V-509, 24V-635, 23V-896 or 25V-512, and 26V-578
- Software updates for the transmission, trailer module and SYNC screen, done by a dealer or over the air
- Regular oil changes, since most of these trucks have turbo engines
- Transmission fluid service if the truck towed a lot
- For Max Trailer Tow trucks, proof the rear axle shafts were replaced
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Ford F-150 you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
What years is the 14th generation F-150?
Does every 2021 to 2024 F-150 have a 10-speed?
What is the F-150 parking brake recall?
Is the 2.7L EcoBoost a problem?
What does the Max Trailer Tow axle recall fix?
Is there a diesel F-150 in this generation?
We'll check it first
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