The Lemon Index
201920225th generation
37 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Ford Transit 122021 Chevrolet Express 172021 Ram ProMaster 111
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V793000 (engine), 24V097000 (steering) and 22V089000 (steering) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into camshaft and lifter failure in ford 7.3l gasoline engines. Has this car had that problem?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Ford sent dealers 45 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Been damaged during engine assembly”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 37 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 18K miles (5K to 29K km) on the car (15 of all 37 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2021 Ford e-450. Consumer writes in regard to safety recall notice 22s08. The consumer requested assistance locating a dealer within a reasonable distance to perform the recall repair.
2021 Ford E-Series owner · NHTSA complaint 11485151
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 45 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Been damaged during engine assembly
- Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay…
- Some 2021-2023 F-Super Duty/E-Series vehicles equipped with a 6.2L, 6.8L or 7.3L gasoline…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Engine · recall issued 2025 New: most likely still open
The engine cover may become excessively hot.
- Steering · recall issued 2024
An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.
- Steering · recall issued 2022
An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.
Show all 6 recalls
- Engine · recall issued 2020
The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot.
- Brakes · recall issued 2020
A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2020
The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and driveshaft separation.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenCamshaft and lifter failure in ford 7.3l gasoline engines2026
- ClosedLoss of power brake/steering assist post recall 22v089 inspection.2024–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Every Ford E-Series year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-e-series/?y=2021" title="Ford E-Series reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="698" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-e-series/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Ford E-Series reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Ford E-Series reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 51; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford E-Series year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2021 Ford E-Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (46%), brakes (38%) and speed control (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford E-Series have?
6 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2021 Ford E-Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
What Ford E-Series year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works