2021–2026 Ford F-150: what to inspect before you bid at auction

Before you bid: what to have checked

Issues documented for this generation. They are patterns for the model, not findings about any specific car, and many depend on the engine, mileage and service history. Confirm on the unit you are bidding on.

• Recall 23V509000: "Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a single exhaust system. Contact with the rear axle housing may damage the wiring harness, causing the electric parking brake to activate unexpectedly." verified source
  System: Brakes · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 23V509000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V509000), report received 21/07/2023, 870701 units potentially affected per NHTSA (Ford 23S35); NHTSA recall 23V509000 consequence: "Unexpected activation of the electric parking brake while driving increases the risk of a crash."
• Recalls 23V896000 and 25V512000 (Trailer Tow Max Duty package, 9.75-inch heavy duty axle): "The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines." NHTSA recall 23V896000 consequence: "Damaged axle hub splines can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of drive power. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash." verified source
  System: Drive system · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 23V896000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V896000), report received 22/12/2023, 112965 units potentially affected per NHTSA (2021-2023, Ford 23S65); NHTSA recall 25V512000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V512000), report received 08/08/2025, 103174 units potentially affected per NHTSA (2023-2025); NHTSA remedy text: 'Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies, free of charge.'
• Recall 24V635000 (2021-2022 vehicles with 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost, including F-150): "The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power." verified source
  System: Engine (major) · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 24V635000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V635000), report received 23/08/2024, 90736 units potentially affected per NHTSA (unit count covers all listed Ford/Lincoln models, not F-150 alone; Ford 24S55); NHTSA remedy text: 'Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge.'
• Recall 22V188000 (2021 F-150): "The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral." verified source
  System: Transmission (major) · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 22V188000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V188000), report received 25/03/2022, 47084 units potentially affected per NHTSA (Ford 22S15); NHTSA recall 25V169000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V169000), report received 14/03/2025, 567 units potentially affected per NHTSA, which covers 2021 F-150s "previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-188"
• PowerBoost hybrid: owners report early-mileage error messages, battery recharge failures and park-mode issues; Consumer Reports' 2021-2022 reliability commentary rated this configuration poorly (exact CR wording not re-verified in this audit) commonly reported
  System: Engine (major) · Documented around: early/low mileage in documented cases
  Source: Consumer Reports 2021-2022 reliability commentary, reviewed 2026-09-03
• Transmission vibration/oscillation at about 50-70 km/h attributed to torque converter slip; one owner/service synthesis reports most cases (70-80%) improved after control module reprogramming commonly reported
  System: Transmission (minor) · Documented around: any
  Source: Owner/service pattern synthesis, reviewed 2026-09-03
• Pro Power Onboard system throwing 'service required - grounding fault' messages, often after humidity exposure or cold starts commonly reported
  System: Power equipment/accessories · Documented around: any
  Source: Owner/service pattern synthesis, reviewed 2026-09-03
• SYNC 4 infotainment freezes, wireless CarPlay disconnections, rear camera display failures commonly reported
  System: In-car electronics · Documented around: any
  Source: Owner/service pattern synthesis, reviewed 2026-09-03
• Owner complaints about assembly quality: uneven body panels, misaligned doors, hood gaps commonly reported
  System: Body hardware · Documented around: n/a (build-quality issue)
  Source: Owner/service pattern synthesis, reviewed 2026-09-03

Recon cost reference

Estimates from the sources shown, priced as of 2026-09-03. Your shop rate, parts sourcing and the car's actual condition decide the real number. These are not quotes.

NHTSA recalls: verify this VIN

A recall that applies to a model is not proof that a specific car has an open recall. Whether this VIN is affected, and whether the repair was done, is shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup. Check it before you bid.

No campaign list is stored for this generation. Look the VIN up with NHTSA.

Sources and when this was researched

Last researched: 2026-09-03. VehicleIQ research for this generation; each item above names its own source and whether it is a verified source or commonly reported. Details change, so treat this as a starting point for your inspection.