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2021 Ford Edge problems

The most common problem on the 2021 Ford Edge is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 68,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Edge model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
88/100
Owner complaints
114
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
149
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
21-24mpg

The worst 2021 Ford Edge problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Ford Edge

Jerking 16Backup camera 12Shudder 11Hesitation 7Transmission failure 6Stalling 5

Recalls 7

Back over prevention: softwareReported March 3, 2026 · 849,310 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 on March 5, 2026.

Recall number 26V124000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: softwareReported May 9, 2025 · 1,076,138 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 25V315000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: softwareReported March 14, 2025 · 2,290 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 25V160000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanicalReported August 23, 2024 · 90,736 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 24V635000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: display functionReported March 11, 2022 · 78,376 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 22V151000 · Recall details

Seat belts: pretensionerReported May 24, 2021 · 82 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 21V377000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported January 15, 2021 · 147 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 21V011000 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 2021 Ford Edge

Defect investigations

Loss of Motive PowerOpened September 29, 2023, closed October 31, 2024

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 subject defect was identified as all MY 2021-2022 Ford and Lincoln models equipped with either the 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engines, referred to as the “Nano” engine family. If an intake valve fractures in the subject engines, it may drop into the cylinder and contact the piston, often resulting in catastrophic engine damage. On September 29, 2023, PE22007 was upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA23002) to further investigate the subject defect across the full scope of affected vehicles. During EA23002, ODI visited Ford facilities to review technical information related to intake valve fracture in “Nano” engines, coordinated with the federal safety agency’s Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC), and analyzed updated field data relating the subject defect. Forensic analysis of fractured intake valves demonstrated that the defective components exhibited “grinding burn” or out of specification hardness in the area of the keeper grooves. The presence of grinding burn is evidence that during the groove grinding phase of production, the temperature of the valve became sufficiently high to alter the microstructure of the material and is indicative that the valve supplier’s manufacturing processes were not within control specifications. Grinding burn results in a hard, brittle microstructure and high residual stresses toward the surface of the valve. Through normal engine loading, a valve with grinding burn will likely fracture at the area of highest vulnerability, which is the third keeper groove. In its response to the EA23002 Information Request (IR) letter, Ford provided evidence of 396 customer complaints (including field reports), 825 warranty claims, and 936 engine exchanges. When considering both ODI and manufacturer failure report data, there have been reports representing 1066 unique vehicles within the subject vehicle population. Analysis of the failure report data demonstrates that vehicles equipped with potentially defective intake valves were built within a production “spike period” of May 2021 – October 2021. The beginning of the spike period corresponds to a ramp up in production at the valve supplier manufacturing facility, and the end of the spike period aligns with the implementation of several mid-production process improvements and the decision to change the metal alloy used to produce intake valves from “Silchrome Lite” to “Silchrome 1”. Ford began investigating the subject defect in July 2021, determined the root cause, and took corrective measures for the new production vehicles. Analysis of the failure report data demonstrates that these corrective actions were successful in eliminating the risk of intake valve fracture for subject vehicles produced after October 2021. However, Ford did not take any field action to address vehicles produced during the spike period, and in the several months following the implementation of the production changes, a significant number of field failures continued to occur. It is Ford’s assessment that not all valves produced during the spike period are defective, and that failures associated with the subject defect occur at low time in service. Analysis of the failure report data demonstrates that the vast majority of failures have occurred before 20,000 miles with over half of all reported failures occurring before 5,000 miles. The rate of reported failures related to the subject defect has steadily decreased since November 2021. ODI coordinated with the federal safety agency’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) to conduct statistical analysis and predict the number of future failures associated with the subject defect. The results of this analysis, and the trends identified through the failure report data are generally consistent with Ford’s assessment that defective intake valves will likely fail at a low time in service and indicate that the majority of subject vehicles equipped with defective valves have already experienced a failure. On August 23, 2024, Ford submitted recall 24V635 for subject vehicles equipped with “Nano” engines and built within the production spike period identified above (total population 90,736 vehicles). The remedy includes an inspection at a Ford/Lincoln dealership where the lifetime engine cycles of the vehicle will be determined. If a vehicle does not meet a threshold for lifetime engine cycles, the dealership will conduct a high RPM engine cycle accumulation procedure, which aims to identify if the vehicle is equipped with defective intake valves. Any vehicle that fails the accumulation procedure will receive an engine replacement under the recall. In addition to recall 24V635, Ford has stated that it will launch customer satisfaction campaign 24N12, which will provide extended warranty coverage to the subject vehicles through the earlier of 10 years or 150,000 miles. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

EA23002

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Ford Edge 149

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 149 bulletins for the 2021 Ford Edge

2021 Ford Edge fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD212924
2.0L 4‑cylAWD20-212823
2.7L 6‑cylAWD192521

What 2021 Ford Edge owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Transmission · TX

The transmission jerks VERY strongly when shifting gears between 5mph - 60mpg. It is so pronounced that it effects my foot on the pedals and could cause drivers to slam on the accelerator or brake. The vehicle has 90k miles on it and this issue has been happening for 10k miles or so. This is a KNOWN issue with the 8F35 transmission and needs to be a recall instead of a TSB that costs drivers $5k.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Transmission · MO

I have transmission failure at 63,000 miles. safety issue because it won't accelerate without shuttering could cause an accident. I have a Ford dealer email and repair order.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Transmission · AR

Transmission shudder, vehicle only has 87K miles on it. Ford knows it's an issue and has issued TSBs on this exact problem.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Driver assistance · TN · crash

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Transmission · GA

Upon accelerating from a stop the car shutters.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · OH

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 getting recalled. Makes no sense that if this is hazardous then for safety reasons shouldn’t there be a recall on all of them no matter where or what month they were built. Very disturbing and disappointing. It sure sheds some light on the Ford manufacturing!

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Transmission · NC

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!

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Transmission · TX

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 just short of 100,000 miles. Mostly highway miles.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Driver assistance · MD

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Edge. The contact received notification for the federal safety agency 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 alternative option included in the recall remedy, which authorized an over-the-air (OTA) software update free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

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.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2021 Ford Edge before you buy

Compare the 2021 Ford Edge

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2021 Ford Edge

Is the 2021 Ford Edge reliable?

Owners have filed 114 complaints about the 2021 Ford Edge, fewer than a typical Edge model year.

What is the 2021 Ford Edge year score?

The 2021 Ford Edge scores 88 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Edge: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Ford Edge?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 38 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles. Next is driver assistance (31).

How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Edge have?

7 recalls, covering back over prevention, engine and engine cooling and seat belts.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford Edge transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 21V011000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Edge have bad transmission?

The Ford Edge model years with the most transmission complaints are 2019 (466 complaints), 2008 (277 complaints) and 2007 (193 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Ford Edge get?

Official estimates for the 2021 Ford Edge range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21 city and 29 highway.

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