2021 Ford F-150: engine overheating

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Lights · 99,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the LED daytime running lights was flashing quickly before burning out. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and then stopped at an intersection, another driver informed the contact that the passenger's side headlight was flashing quickly. The contact towed the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the passenger's side headlight assembly was replaced under warranty. The dealer informed the contact that the driver's side headlight might fail as well. The contact stated that the failure also occurred on the driver's side. Upon inspection, the contact became aware of a burning plastic odor coming from the headlights. Upon researching the failure online, the contact learned that the failure resulted from the headlights overheating and melting. The manufacturer was notified of the recent failure but denied coverage because the vehicle had exceeded 100,000 miles. The dealer advised the contact to report the second failure to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2026 · Lights · TX

Daytime Running Light in the headlight assembly overheated and stopped working. Thousands of 2021-2023 F150 owners have had the same issue. This is clearly a mass scale manufacturer known defect and Ford already tried sending an update to lower the LED brightness but the issue still happens.

Filed May 2, 2026 · Lights · TN

Daytime Running Lamps, vertical beam on driver side does not function after 4 years. Research shows it's likely melting the headlight assembly components during overheating and burnout.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Lights · FL

I have a 2021 F150. The vehicle has LED day time running lights (DRL's). Several of the lights have overheated and melted the plastic internally to limit the transmittance of light. Thus it appears that the light is not functioning, but the reality it has burnt the plastic. This is a known issue that can be seen everyday on the road in other F150's and in the FORD F150 forums. FORD has realized this design issue and has changed the design of the headlight assembly in newer vehicles. In order to get the (DRL's) repaired, you must replace the entire headlight assembly at a cost of $1500 just for the assembly according to the FORD dealership when I brought the vehicle in routine service. Also, when the DRL first failed, it was believed that FORD had sent an over the air software update that included increasing the intensity of the LED for the DRL. This software update was changed back to the setting that it originally came with the vehicle. The first LED that failed was approximately 2 years ago. A second DRL failed about 6 months later. I have changed the settings so the DRL's do not come on during the day to minimize future DRL's from burning the plastic. In theory, if I wanted to have my vehicle perform properly with the DRL's operating for safety, I would need to replace both assemblies at a cost of over $3000. That seems very excessive. I should have submitted this complaint sooner, but now that I receive several recalls per year for my F150 for other issues, I felt it was time to add this one to the list since the issue is so widespread. If DRL's are not important for safety while driving, why are they installed on vehicles? A quick search on YouTube for diagnosing videos, clearly indicates that the problem exists and its a design issue.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · OH

The engine system in the 2021 Ford F-150 is malfunctioning due to excessive oil consumption, in the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine. This is leading to no oil registering on the dipstick; the vehicle and its engine remain available for inspection upon request as they are in the owner's possession and have not been disassembled or repaired. This issue puts the safety of the driver, passengers, and other road users at risk by increasing the chances of engine seizure, overheating, or sudden power loss during operation, which could result in loss of vehicle control, especially at high speeds or while towing, potentially causing accidents, breakdowns in traffic, reduced braking efficiency, or even fires from overheated components, though no such incidents have occurred yet. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by technicians at Ford Spitzer in Hartville and Valvoline in North Canton, OH, who documented the oil consumption during service visits, consistent with Ford's diagnostic procedures. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, which is in communication with Ford corporate for further guidance on warranty repairs, but no inspections by police, insurance representatives, or other third parties have been reported. The main symptom observed is the consistent lack of oil on the dipstick, technicians documenting the engine is as low as 2-3 quarts, indicative of rapid consumption. No warning lamps or dashboard messages have appeared yet, but they could activate if oil levels become critically low, and the exact onset timeline ties to routine maintenance after several thousand miles.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MD

The vehicle is experiencing a chronic, documented loss of engine coolant with no external leaks identified, accompanied by a persistent odor of burning coolant. Despite nine months of notification and two separate Ford authorized dealerships attempting repairs, the defect remains unresolved. To date, dealerships have performed only 'surface-level' pressure and dye tests. They have refused to perform thorough diagnostics despite the clear evidence of consumption. This creates a severe safety hazard: coolant loss on this engine platform is a known precursor to sudden engine stall and potential engine fire. By failing to identify the internal leak path, Ford is requiring me to operate a vehicle with an unpredictable mechanical deficit. The absence of a Warning Lamp (CEL) does not mitigate the risk; it confirms a mechanical failure that the current onboard diagnostics are failing to capture before a catastrophic event occurs.

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · PA

About 1 hour into a commute, I attempted to connect to a call while using the Car Play function of the SYNC system. Upon connection, the speakers blasted as loud as they could possibly go, a terrible pulsing static sounds that scared me and the passenger and almost caused us to have an accident. The volume knob was indicating 0 and would not move and I could not lower the volume of the terrible sound. I pulled over and tried to restart the car a few times, but the sound would not stop until I left the car off for about 10 minutes. I've not connected my phone via Bluetooth or Car Play since for fear that the sound may return when I am not expecting it, startle me and cause an accident. Though I am not certain of the cause. After about 10 minutes of the sound, I also noticed that the speakers were getting hot and I could smell the electronics or wiring overheating. I have a video of the sound but the dealer could not replicate it.

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 40,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH, there was fluid leaking from the vehicle, and the engine was overheating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact checked the Ford Pass App and became aware that the transmission had been serviced four times. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed May 9, 2023 · Engine, Steering · 16,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the "Electrical Default, Service Engine Soon and Engine Coolant Overheating" messages were displayed. Also, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine had overheated, and steam was coming from under the hood. The vehicle began to lose power and the power steering malfunctioned. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2023 · Engine · TX

Lower coolant hose is rubbing on a wire loom which caused wear on the coolant hose causing a leak. We experienced loss of coolant and temperature fluctuating, no overheating because employee reported fluctuating. Vehicle was taken to Sames Ford Motor Company and warranty was honored.