2021 Ford F-150: false forward collision warnings

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · FL

My 2021 Ford F-150 intermittently displays the warning message “Reverse Brake Assist Not Available – See Manual” when the vehicle is placed in reverse. When this message appears, the reverse brake assist / parking collision warning feature is not available, which may reduce safety while backing up. The vehicle was inspected by a Ford dealership. The dealership confirmed DTC U3000:49 in the IPMA module and identified Ford TSB 23-2040 as applicable to the concern. The dealer stated that the repair requires an IPMA software/module update and calibration. The quoted repair cost was approximately $1,100. This appears to be a software/programming-related condition affecting a driver assistance and brake-related safety feature, not normal wear and tear or a failed mechanical component. The warning is intermittent, but it has appeared multiple times. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. No crash, injury, or fire has occurred. Ford Customer Support was contacted and case number XXX was opened. Ford advised that no active warranty, recall, or customer satisfaction program currently provides repair cost coverage, and that because this involves Reverse Brake Assist, I may choose to file a safety concern report with the federal safety agency. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 10, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

While driving my 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost, the vehicle issued a pre-collision warning followed immediately by a restraint system warning. The airbag then deployed without any collision or impact. There was no crash, obstacle, or reason for deployment. The airbag deployment shattered the windshield and caused interior damage. This appears to be a false activation of the pre-collision system and unintended airbag deployment, creating a serious safety hazard. This could easily result in injury or loss of vehicle control. The vehicle needs to be investigated for a potential defect in the airbag system, sensors, or pre-collision assist system.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the vehicle while driving at various speeds. The failure persisted, and the ABS, Hill Start Assist Not Available, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, and several other messages appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the wheel hub bolt in the rear axle was fractured and caused the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and requested a status update on the part. The contact was then informed that the dealer would call the manufacturer and request the part to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Driver assistance · FL

A few months ago, my 2021 F150 started sending me repeating dashboard messages that there's a front camera fault and service is requested followed up with a message about how the pre-collision assist is not available. It's bad enough that this is a problem on a late model vehicle, but my real gripe is that the message repeats over and over non-stop, with a repeating chime to go along with it. It is a terrible distraction for a feature that I've never needed in a vehicle. I asked the Ford dealership about this issue, they said that it would be several thousand dollars to replace and calibrate. So now I'm stuck with a truck that chimes and flashes messages, over and over, every time I drive it. I can provide video evidence of the issue.

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · FL

While stopped at a traffic light or in an intersection preparing to make a turn, the vehicle’s engine will randomly shut off. Simultaneously, a pre-collision warning appears on the display. This causes the vehicle to become temporarily disabled, even as oncoming traffic approaches. To recover, the driver must shift the vehicle into park, restart the engine, and quickly accelerate out of the way to avoid a potential collision.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 35,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while shifting to reverse(R), the rear camera image was distorted. The contact stated that the image was blank, and blue intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, or an independent mechanic, and was not diagnosed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because it was not under recall. On a separate occasion, the console screen ceased to function and would not display data and shut off intermittently and turned on independently. The headlight warning lights, and Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated, and a message that the center sensor not active was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer made several software updates; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jun 7, 2024 · Brakes · MD

While approaching a red traffic signal at speed, I went to apply brakes and the brake pedal had no resistance and failed to slow the vehicle. Immediately several alarms sounded and lights illuminated on the dash board. I was able to slow the vehicle with repeated brake attempts and swiftly moving to the right turn lane where I could navigate a turn and come to a complete stop after coasting. Dashboard indicated: Pre-collision assist not available, antilock brake fault, service AdvanceTrac, and check brake system.

Filed May 29, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MD

Unknown which component is failing. It started with a rumble while accelerating or coasting but goes away when I shift into neutral so I believe that is the transmission. Other issues that are occurring randomly, speedometer will change indication to slower speed than I am actually going or it will drop to 0 while I am driving. Alerts and faults that have shown at the same time the speedometer goes out are: Powertrain fault, ABS, Forward Collision Warning, Parking Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, Cross Traffic Warning. Also a random metallic spinning noise coming from under the truck. It has been in the dealer garage 5 times now.

Filed May 8, 2024 · Electrical · 66,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and braking, several safety features disabled independently. The contact stated that the Pre-Collision Assist, ABS, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred often. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Filed Oct 20, 2023 · Driver assistance · MI

Collision avoidance , headlight bright/dim , lane departure system not working. I’m for service five times over five weeks with no resolutions there may be others I don’t know about until I need them the dealer is Fred Grande of Richmond michigan

Filed Feb 16, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · WI

When traveling on a divided highway in the left lane with no vehicle ahead of me, as I am passing a vehicle in the right lane, just when I am about even with that vehicle beside me my truck applies the brakes firmly and unexpectedly. There is no associated warning message on the instrument panel display or audio alert like there is when it goes into collision avoidance. When it happened the first time I was very startled and worried it saw something that required braking but as it happens almost every time I pass someone I am getting used to it.

Filed Jul 22, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NM

I was driving with my wife and our one month old baby on I-25 in Albuquerque on a hot day (truck screen indicated 106 F) when suddenly the AdvanceTrac traction control, forward pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and ABS system warnings all came on the dashboard. At the same time the brake pedal went limp (no braking action for the first ~50% of the pedal press). I slowed the truck by coasting for over a mile and picked an off-ramp that I expected to be empty before getting off the highway. Upon exiting the highway, I pressed the brake pedal all the way down and at 90-95% of the pedal compression the brakes finally engaged but locked up the rear wheels leading us to skip and skid across two lanes. We were able to come to a stop in the middle of the ramp and then gently moved over to the side of the exit, again locking up the rear wheels when we came to a stop. Upon turning the truck off and turning it back on again everything went back to normal suggesting that it was some subsystem that caused the electronic brake booster and ABS to become unresponsive. After a week at the local Ford dealer, the service technicians were able to find the error code C05CF. This error code appears to be officially only triggered by "Brake Master Cylinder Piston Position Sensor "B" -This DTC sets due to incomplete or improper module programming procedures." Which suggests this problem may have been lingering for over 30k miles of use. Ford technicians updated the traction control module firmware, body control module firmware, and then reproduced the issue leading them to perform an ABS system calibration which they claim fixed the issue. It is claimed that no component replacement was necessary, only software updates and calibration. Full dealer notes attached as .pdf It's crazy to think a software bug caused our brake system to almost entirely fail on the highway, particularly with an error code that should only have been able to been generated at the factory.