2021 Ford F-150 acceleration problems

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · VA

When using the cruise control and passing a 65MPH speed limit sign, the vehicle accelerates to 85MPH. The posted speed in the area 65MPH. The max speed for the state of NC is 70. Yet, the vehicle acts as if the speed limit is 85MPH. This event is repeated routinely approximately 95% of the time as I pass this particular location on I-885 South, just north of the Ellis Road exit, in Durham NC.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Acceleration · OK

On [XXX], I was driving westbound from Missouri into Oklahoma in my 2021 Ford F-150 XL. While traveling approximately 75 mph on the highway, I moved into the passing lane to overtake another vehicle. As I accelerated and applied additional throttle to pass, the transmission downshifted into passing gear. After completing the pass, the vehicle continued to accelerate on its own even after I released the accelerator pedal. The engine remained at a high throttle setting, and the truck increased speed to approximately 85 mph. At that time, I was not using cruise control, nor had I pressed the cruise control switch, which was involved in a previous acceleration-related incident I experienced with this vehicle. To regain control, I carefully created distance from surrounding traffic, applied the brakes, and maneuvered the vehicle onto the shoulder. After coming to a stop well off the roadway, I shifted the vehicle into Park and turned off the engine. I then restarted the truck, and the unintended acceleration condition was no longer present. Because of the incident, I did not attempt to use the cruise control system again during the trip, and I avoided using heavy throttle or passing gear out of concern that the condition could reoccur. The vehicle has since been inspected by a Ford dealership. As of this report, their evaluation has not identified the cause of the problem, and no fault has been found despite the incident occurring on the highway. This incident created a significant safety concern because the vehicle continued to accelerate after the accelerator pedal was released, resulting in an unexpected increase in speed and requiring me to pull off the highway and shut off the vehicle to regain normal operation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · GA

Due to a dangerous design flaw in the 2021 Ford F150, I was put in a potentially dangerous situation by completely losing all power in the vehicle on a backroad. Design flaw is the DCN module, which floods into the vehicles electrical system/body of vehicle through the cowel drain that can supposedly be blocked by a singular piece of pine straw. Due to the design flaw, the vehicle completely lost all power and all electronics failed while driving down the road at 45 mph, putting both me and my father (riding passenger seat) in immediate danger. Ford knows and is aware of the design flaw and has refused to issue a recall, not only affecting my safety, but now I am going back and forth with ford over the fix to the tune of $2800 that they refuse to fix (vehicle is a gold certified cpo, has extended warranty). When asked how to prevent in the future, ford was and is not aware of how to prevent in the future, and I can not get to the cowel drain clog without professional equipment and ford performing. There is no way to tell the cowel drain is clogged or not, and there is not anything in the ford owners manual related to maintenance of the cowel drain. Again, due to the inappropriately designed drain, this caused water leakage into my truck, posing an immediate threat to my life and others around me. I have all of the videos and pictures needed to show the failure of the system to provide to move this forward to get resolved. I had complete loss of power and electronics on the road. I tried to attach video but it would not let me. I can attach via email when requested.

Filed Jan 1, 2026 · Acceleration · TX

This report is being made within 1 1/2 hours after the incident. It has not been inspected by a dealer, service center, nor any other agency. I was stopped at a local fast food restaurant waiting to pay for my purchase. The 2021 Ford F-150 was in drive with my foot on the brake. No warning lights or other indication were present. Without warning, the engine revved to a high rpm and the truck shot forward about 15-20 feet before I could react by putting my full weight on the brake pedal. The engine quickly slowed. I then put the vehicle in reverse and backed up to the window and placed the transmission in park. The truck is equipped with adaptive cruise control but it was not active at the time of the incident. Had there been another vehicle in front of me, I would have rear-ended them. I work from home and use the truck a couple of times per week and it is available for inspection most days.

Filed Dec 31, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · MO

Loss of engine power when transmission shifts from 3rd gear to 2nd gear. Truck will unexpectedly loose ability to accelerate, typically until shift to 1st or 3rd gear occurs. Return of power can cause vehicle to accelerate rapidly and unexpectedly. Malfunctions typically happens in parking lots and while yielding to make a turn, but also happens in stop and go traffic. Concerned of loss of acceleration while pulling out in traffic. No warning lamps or error codes when failure occurs. I've been working with the dealer to resolve for 1 year with nothing done. After 11 months the dealer acknowledged there is an issue, but is unsure of cause or how to repair. Now recommending an entire transmission replacement and not sure if that will resolve.

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · CO

Description of Incident: The vehicle exhibits a severe and unpredictable transmission "shudder," "stutter," and hesitation during gear synchronization, specifically during 1st–3rd and 8th–10th gear transitions. This manifest as a violent "shaking" sensation and a loss of momentary acceleration while merging into high-speed traffic. This issue was first reported to an authorized Ford dealership on December 17, 2024. At that time, the vehicle exhibited harsh shifting and "shuddering" consistent with Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2428. Despite being under a 150,000-mile service contract, the dealer misdiagnosed the mechanical transmission defect as an engine misfire, resulting in ineffective repairs. The defect has persisted and worsened. The internal failure has been identified as a defective CDF Clutch Drum (Cylinder) where an internal bushing moves out of place, obstructing fluid flow and causing mechanical "slip." This is a known manufacturing defect documented in multiple Ford TSBs (22-2428, 23-2250, and 24-2101). Safety Risk: The failure causes unpredictable power delivery. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has hesitated or "stuttered" while attempting to merge onto highways or cross intersections, leaving the vehicle vulnerable to side-impact or rear-end collisions. The lack of consistent throttle response and the violent nature of the shifting creates a significant safety hazard for the driver and surrounding motorists. Verification/Inspection: The symptoms were reported to a Ford dealership multiple times. As of December 2025, the dealership has opened a formal case with the manufacturer to verify the internal "cause of failure" by the Shop Foreman. No warning lamps or Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) appeared on the dashboard, as the failure is a mechanical internal bushing slip that does not always trigger a software sensor until total failure occurs. The vehicle is available for inspection.

Filed Dec 7, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · AK

Ford has refused, on multiple occasions and at multiple dealerships, to address the federal safety agency Recall Number 23V896 (MFG. Recall Number 23S65) issue with the Wheel End Hub Bolt in the rear axle. Well, this weekend, the bolt on the passenger side rear axle broke off, rendering the vehicle undriveable. I brought it in to the Lithia Ford Dealership (who's online information said they were open) to get it addressed. They were closed, no one was there, and they won't even give me a loaner vehicle while the F-150 is inoperable. This recall has been out for two years now and they still won't deal with it. Absolute neglect of their obligations and an unsafe practice!

Filed Nov 16, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

Transmission downshift to first gear on the highway

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

Drove it out to CA from Texas. Purchased for Planet Ford who told me the truck was k to drive and no axel problem. Drove it out to CA from Texas when we moved in late April - after that went to Santa Barbara and dashboard controls went dead. Speedometer and may other controls stopped working. Truck felt sluggish. Took it into Tuttle Click Ford Lincoln in Irvine and they said they real axel was about to fall off and took the truck away. They've had it for a month and said they may have it for another 2-4 week or longer.

Filed Jul 10, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · KY

I was turning left from a side street onto a divided highway and stopped in the middle to wait for an opening in traffic. When one came I hit the gas and nothing happened. Pressed it again, to the floor and nothing happened. I then put the truck into reverse to back out of the way of traffic because the truck rolled forward a bit when I attempted to accelerate. I then waited for a very large opening and attempted to accelerate again. Pushed the pedal and again nothing. I then pressed it to the floor and held it there. The truck very slowly began to accelerate and then after about 20 seconds accelerated like normal. The truck seemed normal the rest of the way home.