2021 Ford F-150 Windshield Fastener Recall (21V090)

Recall 21V090 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Ford F-150 in recall 21V090?

During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 and 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 F-150 with recall 21V090?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the critical fasteners.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V090?

Recall 21V090 covers 79,017 vehicles: 2021 Ford F-150; 2021 Ford F-250 SD; 2021 Ford F-350 SD; 2021 Ford F-450 SD.

NHTSA lists 79,017 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the F-150 windshield fastener recall?

Yes. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C06.

When was recall 21V090 announced?

Ford Motor Company reported recall 21V090 to NHTSA on February 18, 2021.

This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your F-150 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my F-150 is part of recall 21V090?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V090 is open on your F-150, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 F-150 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should F-150 owners do about recall 21V090?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V090000 applies to your F-150.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any critical fasteners symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are F-150 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 1,294 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 187 of them about the lighting and visibility.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,294 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 187 of them involve the lighting and visibility. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Ford F-150: 1,015 complaints in total, 171 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Ford F-250 SD: 165 complaints in total, 13 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Ford F-350 SD: 96 complaints in total, 3 about the lighting and visibility
• 2021 Ford F-450 SD: 18 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350 SD. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V090000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available.

2021 Ford F-350 SD owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11455720, filed March 8, 2022

The contact’s boss owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact stated that her boss received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V2500000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

2021 Ford F-350 SD owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11489820, filed October 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V250000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.

2021 Ford F-350 SD owner, NV, NHTSA complaint 11499060, filed December 27, 2022

Can recall 21V090 make my F-150 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Recall 21V090000 does not automatically make your F-150 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

Lighting and visibility defects, such as headlights that fail, wipers that stop or mirrors that do not work, reduce your ability to see and be seen. They are often electrical, and they often come back.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Ford F-150 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V090