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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2021 Ford Edge

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 111 safety complaints about the 2021 Ford Edge with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 7 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 35 complaints, 32% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 41,000 miles, the median across the 24 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

111 complaints on file

111

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 35 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 21 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 35 · 32%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 21 · 19%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18 · 16%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14 · 13%
ENGINE 11 · 10%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 8 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 · 5%
VISIBILITY 5 · 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3 · 3%
LANE DEPARTURE 3 · 3%
0 15 31

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 111.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 32.

36 27 18 9
21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2021 Ford EDGE, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 15.5% 15.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

7 on file

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

26V124000 · March 3, 2026

The defect
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.
The risk
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S09. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 849,310 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V315000 · May 9, 2025

The defect
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 vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
The risk
A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,076,138 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V160000 · March 14, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S28.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,290 vehicles across all model years covered

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

24V635000 · August 23, 2024

The defect
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 power.
The risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.

Ford Motor Company · up to 90,736 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

22V151000 · March 11, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The rearview camera software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S14.

Ford Motor Company · up to 78,376 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

21V377000 · May 24, 2021

The defect
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 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
A seatbelt assembly that does not function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor pretensioner assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C13.

Ford Motor Company · up to 82 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

21V011000 · January 15, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.

Ford Motor Company · up to 147 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Loss of Motive Power

EA23002

Closed engineering analysis · opened September 29, 2023 · closed October 31, 2024 · led to recall 24V635

the engine

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the ability to restart. During PE22007, the cause of engine failure and loss of motive power in the subject vehicles was determined to be intake valve fracture, and the full scope of vehicles affected by the subject defect was identified as all MY 2021-2022 Ford and Lincoln models equipped with either the 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engines, referred to as the “Nano” engine family.  If an intake valve fractures in the subject engines, it may drop into the cylinder and contact the piston, often resulting in catastrophic engine damage. On September 29, 2023, PE22007 was upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA23002) to further investigate the subject defect across the full scope of affected vehicles. During EA23002, ODI visited Ford facilities to review technical information related to intake valve fracture in “Nano” engines, coordinated with NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC), and analyzed updated field data relating the subject defect. Forensic analysis of fractured intake valves demonstrated that the defective components exhibited “grinding burn” or out of specification hardness in the area of the keeper grooves. The presence of grinding burn is evidence that during the groove grinding phase of production, the temperature of the valve became sufficiently high to alter the microstructure of the material and is indicative that the valve supplier’s manufacturing processes were not within control specifications. Grinding burn results in a hard, brittle microstructure and high residual stresses toward the surface of the valve. Through normal engine loading, a valve with grinding burn will likely fracture at the area of highest vulnerability, which is the third keeper groove. In its response to the EA23002 Information Request (IR) letter, Ford provided evidence of 396 customer complaints (including field reports), 825 warranty claims, and 936 engine exchanges. When considering both ODI and manufacturer failure report data, there have been reports representing 1066 unique vehicles within the subject vehicle population. Analysis of the failure report data demonstrates that vehicles equipped with potentially defective intake valves were built within a production “spike period” of May 2021 – October 2021. The beginning of the spike period corresponds to a ramp up in production at the valve supplier manufacturing facility, and the end of the spike period aligns with the implementation of several mid-production process improvements and the decision to change the metal alloy used to produce intake valves from “Silchrome Lite” to “Silchrome 1”. Ford began investigating the subject defect in July 2021, determined the root cause, and took corrective measures for the new production vehicles. Analysis of the failure report data demonstrates that these corrective actions were successful in eliminating the risk of intake valve fracture for subject vehicles produced after October 2021. However, Ford did not take any field action to address vehicles produced during the spike period, and in the several months following the implementation of the production changes, a significant number of field failures continued to occur. It is Ford’s assessment that not all valves produced during the spike period are defective, and that failures associated with the subject defect occur at low time in service. Analysis of the failure report data demonstrates that the vast majority of failures have occurred before 20,000 miles with over half of all reported failures occurring before 5,000 miles. The rate of reported failures related to the subject defect has steadily decreased since November 2021. ODI coordinated with NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) to conduct statistical analysis and predict the number of future failures associated with the subject defect. The results of this analysis, and the trends identified through the failure report data are generally consistent with Ford’s assessment that defective intake valves will likely fail at a low time in service and indicate that the majority of subject vehicles equipped with defective valves have already experienced a failure. On August 23, 2024, Ford submitted recall 24V635 for subject vehicles equipped with “Nano” engines and built within the production spike period identified above (total population 90,736 vehicles). The remedy includes an inspection at a Ford/Lincoln dealership where the lifetime engine cycles of the vehicle will be determined. If a vehicle does not meet a threshold for lifetime engine cycles, the dealership will conduct a high RPM engine cycle accumulation procedure, which aims to identify if the vehicle is equipped with defective intake valves. Any vehicle that fails the accumulation procedure will receive an engine replacement under the recall. In addition to recall 24V635, Ford has stated that it will launch customer satisfaction campaign 24N12, which will provide extended warranty coverage to the subject vehicles through the earlier of 10 years or 150,000 miles. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

1 injured · 500 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Edge. The contact stated upon opening the hatchback and taking items in and out of the trunk of the vehicle, the hatchback would close independently. The contact stated that the hatchback door had struck her on the head on four separate occasions. The contact stated that the impact was more severe on one occasion, but she did not seek medical assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unknown software was reprogrammed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 500.

NHTSA complaint 11469136. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

Vehicle was traveling on a rural road when driver attempted to brake. Driver witnessed flames from under their vehicle when applying brakes. Driver had to stop the vehicle by laying it in a ditch and escaping the engulfed car. Post accident it was noted and shown a significant amount of brake fluid on the ground from the incident. Bystanders say that the vehicle was blowing flames out from under neath while attempting to stop.

NHTSA complaint 11476580. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

crash · towed

1) The lane keeping assistance feature was engaged. 2) I observed an upcoming snow drift across the road. 3) I stepped on the brakes to slow down. 4) I observed there was no oncoming traffic (two lane road). 5) I moved over towards the center of the road to better navigate the snow drift. 6. The lane keeping assistance feature adjusted my steering to move me back into my lane (closer to the ditch). 7. The vehicle entered the snow drift with my wheels turned to the right. 8. The snow drift impaired the lane keeping assistance feature. 9. I lost control of the vehicle. 10. I hit a utility pole. Does the user manual instruct the operator to disengage the lane keeping assistance feature during

NHTSA complaint 11504594, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

I was driving the Ford Edge and the roads were a little slick so I was driving very slow. I was about 2 blocks from my house when I needed to engage the brakes to come to a complete stop, which happened to be going downhill toward a stop sign that intersected with a freeway off ramp. Both the brakes and ABS failed to engage and I hit a guard rail across the intersection. This caused significant damage to my vehicle and was very lucky that no one was hurt. The "Check Brake System" only came up after I ran into the guard rail, which was also the only time I needed to fully engage the brake to come to a full stop. The shop confirmed that the accident would not have damaged the brakes.

NHTSA complaint 11564144. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

crash

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint 11766328. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Upon accelerating from a stop the car shutters.

NHTSA complaint 11764286. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The vehicle hesitates, bucks, and surges when accelerating from low speed making it difficult and hazardous merging into traffic and other driving situations. The hesitation, bucking, and surging is getting progressively this happened around 70k miles. The mechanic is saying it needs to be replaced completely for 12k!

NHTSA complaint 11764049. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The left rear axle housing due to not enough lubricant. The ford maintenance shop states they can refill the lubricant but it doesn’t last long and will be back in the shop . So I’m having it replaced due to their recommendation which is a $1,835.00 fix. I see there were recalls on 2021 edges but mine wasn’t built in the right time frame apparently and it’s ironic that it is the same exact problem with several 2021 Edges but yet only the ones built in certain months are getting recalled. Makes no sense that if this is hazardous then for safety reasons shouldn’t there be a recall on all of them no matter where or what month they were built. Very disturbing and disappointing. It sure sheds

NHTSA complaint 11764220, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The transmission failed causing the car to sputter and stop. My daughter was driving the car at the time and it died while she was waiting for a light to turn green at a major intersection. She had to wait for my husband to come assist her. We had it towed to McCree Ford in Dickinson, TX. They indicated it was the transmission and it would need to be replaced. No indication of any issues prior to this incident. The car was well maintained up until this incident and we were just short of 100,000 miles. Mostly highway miles.

NHTSA complaint 11760946. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Edge. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V124000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to perform the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the USB port needed to perform the software update was defective. The dealer did not provide the alternative option included in the recall remedy, which authorized an over-the-air (OTA) software update free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The

NHTSA complaint 11760227, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Edge

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 44 2 —
2023 22 4 —
2022 131 5 —
2020 318 4 —
2019 769 3 —
2018 833 7 —
2017 1,365 8 —
2016 914 7 —
2015 727 7 —
2014 382 3 —
2013 2,445 2 1
2012 1,134 3 —
2011 1,803 3 —
2010 673 6 1

Other 2021 Ford models

F-150 1,018 Bronco Sport 699 Explorer 430 Escape 348 Mustang Mach E 347 Ecosport 259 F-150 Hybrid 259 Expedition 235

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst