Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2021-06-04 and 2026-08-31. Median delay from incident to filing: 22 days.
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 46.7 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 27.6 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 20 complaints, 67% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (29.0% of complaints), followed by Electrical (27.1%) and Engine (12.1%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 2.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Transmission / powertrain reports, owners most often mention “transmission”, “torque converter”, “jerking”, “shuddering” and “accelerating”. 4 reports (3.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 47 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (50% of incidents). In the last 12 months 43 new complaints were filed, versus 21 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for this model year. 71% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2023-09-29, closed 2024-10-31).
Safety recalls (7)
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE Campaign 26V124000 · 2026-03-03
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE Campaign 25V315000 · 2025-05-09
Summary: 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.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE Campaign 25V160000 · 2025-03-14
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL Campaign 24V635000 · 2024-08-23
Summary: 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.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION Campaign 22V151000 · 2022-03-11 · Over-the-air fix
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Campaign 21V377000 · 2021-05-24
Summary: 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."
Risk: A seatbelt assembly that does not function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT Campaign 21V011000 · 2021-01-15
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Ford Edge?
107 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Edge, or about 18.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Ford Edge?
The most common category is Transmission / powertrain, accounting for 29.0% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Ford Edge have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2023-09-29, closed 2024-10-31).
Is the 2021 Ford Edge still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 43 new complaints were filed, versus 21 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2021 Ford Edge compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 107 owner complaints about the 2021 Ford Edge, or 18.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.45, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #40 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 65% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 64% lower.