2021 Ford Ranger Automatic Emergency Braking Radar Recall (21V982)
Ford Motor Company · 839 vehicles · Reported December 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company is recalling 839 2021 Ford Bronco; 2021 Ford Ranger vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production. A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V982 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V982000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 21S52 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | December 16, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021 Ford Bronco; 2021 Ford Ranger |
| Units affected | 839 |
| Component | Forward Collision Avoidance > Sensing System > Radar |
| Safety risk | A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Ford Ranger in recall 21V982?
The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Ranger with recall 21V982?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Ranger shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the radar, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V982?
Recall 21V982 covers 839 vehicles: 2021 Ford Bronco; 2021 Ford Ranger.
NHTSA lists 839 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ford | Bronco |
| 2021 | Ford | Ranger |
What is the fix for the Ranger automatic emergency braking radar recall?
Yes. Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge.
Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.
When was recall 21V982 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 21V982 to NHTSA on December 16, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as January 21, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 16, 2021 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V982000. |
| January 21, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 58 months ago. If your Ranger was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Ranger is part of recall 21V982?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V982 is open on your Ranger, 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 Ranger 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 Ranger owners do about recall 21V982?
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 21V982000 applies to your Ranger.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- 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.
- Write down when symptoms involving the radar 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 Ranger owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 344 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 15 of them about the driver assistance.
Since recall 21V982 was reported on December 16, 2021, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 2 of them (15%) 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 driver assistance and were received on or after December 16, 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 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related driver assistance issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 344 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 15 of them involve the driver assistance. 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 Bronco: 229 complaints in total, 6 about the driver assistance
- 2021 Ford Ranger: 115 complaints in total, 9 about the driver assistance
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the Pre- Collision warning light illuminated, and the vehicle would abruptly decelerated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that during the failure, there were no objects or vehicles nearby.
2021 Ford Ranger owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11526198, filed June 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D), the messages “Pre-collision Assist Not Available" and "Cruise Control Not Available" were displayed. Additionally, the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated.
2021 Ford Ranger owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11587388, filed May 7, 2024
2021 Ford Ranger with 10R80 transmission showing following codes P0733 P0734 90,000 miles on truck. jerky and slipping gear change between 3-4 and 5-6 occasionally no drive. have service records showing my truck was maintained properly.
2021 Ford Ranger owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11673377, filed July 14, 2025
Can recall 21V982 make my Ranger 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 21V982000 does not automatically make your Ranger 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))?
Driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise rely on software and sensors. Phantom braking or a system that shuts off can be dangerous, and these complaints often return after an update.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Ford Ranger has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
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.
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 Ranger been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford Ranger recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V982
Did the recall 21V982 fix work?
Since recall 21V982 was reported on December 16, 2021, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 2 of them (15%) 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.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed January 21, 2022.
Is the 21V982000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Ranger is part of recall 21V982000?
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.
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 21V982000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
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.