2021 Ford F-150 Driveshaft Recall (21V381)
Ford Motor Company · 4,436 vehicles · Reported May 24, 2021
Ford Motor Company is recalling 4,436 2021 Ford F-150 vehicles. The two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in driveshaft separation. Driveshaft separation may result in a sudden loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V381 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V381000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 21S25 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | May 24, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021 Ford F-150 |
| Units affected | 4,436 |
| Component | Power Train > Driveline > Driveshaft |
| Safety risk | Driveshaft separation may result in a sudden loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Ford F-150 in recall 21V381?
The two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in driveshaft separation.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in driveshaft separation.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 F-150 with recall 21V381?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Driveshaft separation may result in a sudden loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Driveshaft separation may result in a sudden loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your F-150 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the driveshaft, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V381?
Recall 21V381 covers 4,436 vehicles: 2021 Ford F-150.
NHTSA lists 4,436 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ford | F-150 |
What is the fix for the F-150 driveshaft recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect the driveshaft, and replace it if necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect the driveshaft, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S25.
When was recall 21V381 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 21V381 to NHTSA on May 24, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 24, 2021 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V381000. |
| June 15, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 65 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 21V381?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V381 is open on your F-150, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V381000 is open on your F-150, it will be listed there, along with Ford recall number 21S25. You can also ask any Ford dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should F-150 owners do about recall 21V381?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V381000 applies to your F-150.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the driveshaft happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are F-150 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 1,015 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 304 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 21V381 was reported on May 24, 2021, owners have filed 304 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 27 of them (9%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after May 24, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,015 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 304 of them involve the transmission. 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, 304 about the transmission
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
Transmission suddenly downshifted from 7th to 1st gear when driving along a highway. This significantly slowed the vehicle down and almost caused a following vehicle to collide with me. The vehicle will also shift from 4th to 3rd violently, revving the engine then slammining into gear.
2021 Ford F-150 owner, AK, NHTSA complaint 11638966, filed January 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission experienced hard shifting, gear grinding, and slipping gear while accelerating from a red light. The contact stated that the gear shift indicator showed that the transmission was in 10th gear and the vehicle started drifting backward.
2021 Ford F-150 owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11645274, filed February 27, 2025
I received this recall December of 2023. I was originally advised that a fix would be ready during the 1st quarter of 2024. I inquired on two occasions about the safety of driving my truck with the axle bolt breaking issue recall.
2021 Ford F-150 owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11647490, filed March 10, 2025
Can recall 21V381 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.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
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.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your F-150 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford F-150 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V381
Did the recall 21V381 fix work?
Since recall 21V381 was reported on May 24, 2021, owners have filed 304 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 27 of them (9%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V381000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my F-150 is part of recall 21V381000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
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.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V381000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.