FORD EDGE · model year

2021 FORD EDGE

123 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021FORDEDGE carries 123 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 EDGE is power train with 24 filings, followed by unknown or other (15) and electrical system (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2021 EDGE, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

123
Complaints
4
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
2021 FORD EDGE - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2021 FORD EDGE. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

123 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 - Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN24
UNKNOWN OR OTHER15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
BACK OVER PREVENTION10
ENGINE7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY4
SERVICE BRAKES4
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA3
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS2

Recalls (7)

21V37700024/05/2021

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

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 2

24V63500023/08/2024

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

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 p

21V01100015/01/2021

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

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.

25V31500014/05/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

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 vehicle

25V16000014/03/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

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.

22V15100011/03/2022

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

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.

26V12400003/03/2026

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

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.

Recent Complaints

20260212POWER TRAIN

Transmission total failure at 118000 miles vehicle had shutting and jerking problems for about 40000 miles.

20260206BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Edge. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who was unable to complete the recall repair because the dealer was waiting on an Override Code from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the issue but was unable to help. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Mileage: 44,403

20260203BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Edge. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the local dealer and the manufacturer were contacted, and informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact explained that a recall letter was removed from the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact stated that the rear-view camera experienced failure for approximately one year. The failure mileage was 29,821.

Mileage: 29,821

20260120POWER TRAIN

Ive been having problems with my 21 ford edge. I looked online to see what it could be. I came across a bulletin about reprogramming the pcm. My car was spudderinglosing power and I notice jerking and I was going through gas like crazy. So we called the Ford dealership make an appointment to have them reprogram the pcm. That did not work though. They suspect it to me the torque converter. I see that there are a lot of other ford owners that are having the same problems as I am. And from what I understand ford knew about this and still haven't done anything about it. I rely on this vehicle to get me back and forth to work 60 miles 4 days a wk. My children are in the car with me relying on me to get them places. Its not fair we have to pay for their mistakes. We want what's right and that is them to pay for their mistakes. Please

20260120POWER TRAIN

In Late October 2025 my 21 Edge started having issues at 35-40mph, seemed to be jerking while accelerating. No Dash/Check engine lights. I took the vehicle to the Dealer that I bought it from and I was told that it was the ERG Valve, we replaced that and it is still having the exact same issue. We took the vehicle to another Ford Dealer and they told us it is the Torque Converter and they want $5700.00 to fix it. The vehicle only has 70k miles on it. This is just past factory warranty and FORD is not willing to help with cost. The Part to fix this is only $300 and they are charging all of that in labor for a known and common issue with their vehicles. Now, I had just bought this car from the first Ford Dealership in April 2025 and I am already at this much of a loss.

20260109BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Edge. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that the infotainment screen occasionally glitched or displayed a blank screen whenever a call was received or while the radio was activated. The contact stated that on several occasions the screen glitched while driving. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool showed no open recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20260105POWER TRAIN

8F35 transmission problem - shuddering and jerking - harsh shifting(delayed acceleration, slipping between gears) The car goes into drive when it’s in park. It goes into drive when it is also in reverse. Incredibly dangerous software glitch

20260104POWER TRAIN

The transmission whines and jerks. The dealership verified. It was rebuilt and now it’s doing the same thing again

20251225UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Transmission causing jerking, shuddering and take off issues. It was diagnosed as the torque converter messed up in the transmission. My safety is at risk of being reared in as the car hesitates to go in gear and to shift properly.

20251225VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Transmission causing jerking, shuddering and take off issues. It was diagnosed as the torque converter messed up in the transmission. My safety is at risk of being reared in as the car hesitates to go in gear and to shift properly.

20251225ENGINE

Transmission causing jerking, shuddering and take off issues. It was diagnosed as the torque converter messed up in the transmission. My safety is at risk of being reared in as the car hesitates to go in gear and to shift properly.

20251223POWER TRAIN

Transmission and transfer cases. The car sputters when taking off from a stop.

20251216UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Subject: Complaint Regarding Ford Safety Recall 25S28 – Unresolved APIM Module Issue Vehicle Information: Year/Model: 2021 Ford Edge Recall: Ford Safety Recall 25S28 Defect: Rear-view camera and APIM module software malfunction. Summary of Issue: June 2025: Attempted recall repair; dealer stated recall was on hold. August 2025: Received another recall notice but delayed repair since no issues were present. November 2025: Navigation system, CarPlay, and infotainment screen began shutting off. Dealer confirmed these functions are controlled by the APIM module covered under Recall 25S28. December 2025: Vehicle at dealer for ~2 weeks. Dealer attempted software update, then said Ford corporate approved replacing the telecommunications chip on Dec 12. On Dec 16, dealer informed me Ford put the recall on hold again and instructed me to pick up the car without the fix. Current Status: Vehicle still has defective APIM module affecting rear-view camera, Bluetooth, GPS, and infotainment syst

20251216BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

Subject: Complaint Regarding Ford Safety Recall 25S28 – Unresolved APIM Module Issue Vehicle Information: Year/Model: 2021 Ford Edge Recall: Ford Safety Recall 25S28 Defect: Rear-view camera and APIM module software malfunction. Summary of Issue: June 2025: Attempted recall repair; dealer stated recall was on hold. August 2025: Received another recall notice but delayed repair since no issues were present. November 2025: Navigation system, CarPlay, and infotainment screen began shutting off. Dealer confirmed these functions are controlled by the APIM module covered under Recall 25S28. December 2025: Vehicle at dealer for ~2 weeks. Dealer attempted software update, then said Ford corporate approved replacing the telecommunications chip on Dec 12. On Dec 16, dealer informed me Ford put the recall on hold again and instructed me to pick up the car without the fix. Current Status: Vehicle still has defective APIM module affecting rear-view camera, Bluetooth, GPS, and infotainment syst

20251109UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am a second time owner of Ford cars, it's really concerning to me that for one, they have the reputation of their transmissions being faulty, lastly that this being my second vehicle that I have purchased from them that's having transmission issues. Transmission issues that are identical to each other. The transmission keeps slipping and I've only owned the car going on two years. There should be no reason that I would have to replace it so soon. Just like it was in my 2005 ford Taurus. This is an issue that needs immediate attention and it's a rip off because coming up with 9 thousand dollars to spend to repair something that you can just get a new car with that as a deposit. I am very frustrated with Ford and it really needs to be looked at. From looking at it, many people have had this issue with this particular car and need you to please act on this. Ford can not continue to make faulty transmission in their cars and expect people to pay these high prices for repair. PLEASE LOOK

20251108SUSPENSION

Splash guard under the vehicle, sometimes also referred to as a diaper, fell down. I reported it to the dealer and was told I didn't need it anyhow. Well, if I didn't need it anyhow why did they put it on to begin with ? I also notice a lot of other Ford vehicles driving down the road with these guards (diapers) hanging down, so it isn't just a me problem it's a Ford problem. After inspecting the guard it is made of such cheap material I don't know how any engineering designer could of thought that these would hold up given the environment under a vehicle. I would also think that this could easily become a road hazard if it were of fallen off going down the road.

20251024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Screen went black, had to replace the computer behind the screen for 1,500 dollars.

20251017ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle was sluggish to reverse as I left my office but after I left it was operating normally to gas station about 3 miles away. I stopped at gas station to fuel up. After, I started car and it would not go back in reverse. When i shifted from park back to reverse, it moved maybe 5". Was sputtering and clanking. I drove forward maybe 2', while sputtering, jerking, and clanking. I managed to make it home (<3 miles) and on shifting it wanted to stall, and on braking it was sputtering, jerking, and clanking with downshifting. At home, when I put it in reverse, i got an error message "Gear select will engage at low speeds", and as I tried to reverse, the car went FORWARD almost causing me to crash into my house. After several attempts to back up and begin to go out of my drive, it was sputtering and jerking too much so I decided to try to reverse back to the carport, and it would not move. It sits where it stopped.

20251017UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The vehicle was sluggish to reverse as I left my office but after I left it was operating normally to gas station about 3 miles away. I stopped at gas station to fuel up. After, I started car and it would not go back in reverse. When i shifted from park back to reverse, it moved maybe 5". Was sputtering and clanking. I drove forward maybe 2', while sputtering, jerking, and clanking. I managed to make it home (<3 miles) and on shifting it wanted to stall, and on braking it was sputtering, jerking, and clanking with downshifting. At home, when I put it in reverse, i got an error message "Gear select will engage at low speeds", and as I tried to reverse, the car went FORWARD almost causing me to crash into my house. After several attempts to back up and begin to go out of my drive, it was sputtering and jerking too much so I decided to try to reverse back to the carport, and it would not move. It sits where it stopped.

20251016BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

See attached document for complaint.

Compare 2021FORDEDGE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 FORD EDGE have?
The 2021 FORD EDGE has 123 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 FORD EDGE?
The 2021 FORD EDGE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 FORD EDGE?
Yes, the 2021 FORD EDGE has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 FORD EDGE?
The most-complained component for the 2021 FORD EDGE is POWER TRAIN with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2021 FORD EDGE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2021 FORD EDGE has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.