2021 Ford Edge problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 112 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Edge, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 7 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 112
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Median mileage
- 41,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 36 of 112 complaints (32%).
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (31) and electrical system (14) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 41,000 mi.
- Owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury.
- The 2021 Ford Edge has 7 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 14th of 18 Ford Edge model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 65% fewer complaints than the 2020 model year (324).
2021 Ford Edge problems by category
- 36 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 3 crashes31 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash18 complaints
- Electrical System14 complaints
- Engine13 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers7 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion5 complaints
- Brakes · 1 crash5 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control5 complaints
- Suspension3 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Body & Structure1 complaints
- Lighting1 complaints
- Steering1 complaints
- Airbags1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power train | 36 |
| Unknown or other | 18 |
| Electrical system | 12 |
| Back over prevention | 12 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 |
| Service brakes | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2021 Ford Edge recalls (7)
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S09. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Edge vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-151. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank or distorted image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S28.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION · BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Edge vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank or distorted image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The rearview camera software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S14.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Edge vehicles. The driver's seat belt retractor pretensioner assembly may not function correctly when activated during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A seatbelt assembly that does not function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor pretensioner assembly, 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 21C13.
- POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
Risk: If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of Motive Power
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the ability to restart. During PE22007, the cause of engine failure and loss of motive power in the subject vehicles was determined to be intake valve fracture, and the full scope of vehicles affected by the su…
Recent 2021 Ford Edge complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 6, 2026ARTransmission & Drivetrain
Transmission shudder, vehicle only has 87K miles on it. Ford knows it's an issue and has issued TSBs on this exact problem.
NHTSA complaint #11769268 · source - Filed Sep 14, 2026OHOther / Unknown
The left rear axle housing due to not enough lubricant. The ford maintenance shop states they can refill the lubricant but it doesn’t last long and will be back in the shop . So I’m having it replaced due to their recommendation which is a $1,835.00 fix. I see there were recalls on 2021 edges but mine wasn’t built in the right time frame apparently and it’s ironic that it is the same exact problem with several 2021 Edges but yet only the ones built in certain months are…
NHTSA complaint #11764220 · source - Filed Sep 14, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain
The vehicle hesitates, bucks, and surges when accelerating from low speed making it difficult and hazardous merging into traffic and other driving situations. The hesitation, bucking, and surging is getting progressively this happened around 70k miles. The mechanic is saying it needs to be replaced completely for 12k!
NHTSA complaint #11764049 · source - Filed Aug 31, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain
The transmission failed causing the car to sputter and stop. My daughter was driving the car at the time and it died while she was waiting for a light to turn green at a major intersection. She had to wait for my husband to come assist her. We had it towed to McCree Ford in Dickinson, TX. They indicated it was the transmission and it would need to be replaced. No indication of any issues prior to this incident. The car was well maintained up until this incident and we were…
NHTSA complaint #11760946 · source - Filed Aug 28, 2026MDDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Edge. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V124000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to perform the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the USB port needed to perform the software update was defective. The dealer did not provide the…
NHTSA complaint #11760227 · source - Filed Aug 25, 2026OHDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers
The “fix” for the rear camera has not resolved the issue. My rear camera worked for a short time after the fix was downloaded, but then stopped working. I don’t know what to do to fix it.
NHTSA complaint #11759598 · source - Filed Aug 19, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain
I bought a 2021 Ford Edge SEL in April 2024. I had problems with the car jurking at low speeds pretty much the whole time I had it. I just recently had to replace my transmission due to the whole thing failing. It just randomly went out while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11757981 · source - Filed Aug 12, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain
My 2021 Ford Edge is experiencing a severe transmission defect. When accelerating between 22 mph and 35 mph, the vehicle hesitates, stumbles, and shudders violently (transmission shudder). The transmission struggles to engage gears properly, causing unexpected jerking and a sudden loss of acceleration power. This behavior creates a dangerous driving hazard when merging into traffic or changing lanes. This issue is consistent with Ford's Technical Service Bulletin (TSB…
NHTSA complaint #11756564 · source
Compare the 2021 Ford Edge with another vehicle →
Other 2021 Ford models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology