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Generation Guide · 2021–present Ford F-150 · Full-size pickup

2021–present Ford F-150 Review: Should You Buy It?

4 min read

Also worth reading: 2015–2020 Ford F-150 Buying Guide, Ford F-150 Buying Guide and Ford Reliability Guide.

The 2021–present Ford F-150 covers the 14th gen generation from start to finish. Mechanically these years are the same car — same platform, same engine family, same failure points — so shop the individual car's condition and service history rather than chasing a specific model year. PowerBoost hybrid is the standout. Verify any cam phaser TSB work on 5.0L cars.

Analyze a 2021–present F-150 Listing →
Quick Verdict
⭐ Overall verdict
4.5/5 · Excellent
Reliability
4.3/5 · Very good
Known problems
5.0L cam phaser tick on some 2021–2022, Infotainment glitches early in gen, PowerBoost 12V battery drain reports (TSB)
Recommended?
Yes — a strong used buy
Better alternatives
The 2015–2020 generation is cheaper and simpler, with an older tech and safety package.
Maintenance
4.2/5 · Very good

Bottom line: Recommended — a safe, defensible used purchase with the right pre-purchase inspection.

Buy Score
★★★★★4.5/5
Recommended — a safe, defensible used purchase with the right pre-purchase inspection.
Reliability
★★★★★4.3/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.2/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.2/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.8/5
Model-year changes

What's New in the 2021–present F-150?

This generation launched in 2021: Updated aluminum body, PowerBoost hybrid added, Pro Power onboard generator. Powertrain and core hardware carry over across the span, which is exactly why we cover the whole generation on one page instead of splitting near-identical years apart.

Engines
  • • 3.3L V6
  • • 5.0L Coyote V8
  • • 2.7L EcoBoost V6
  • • 3.5L EcoBoost V6
  • • 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid
  • • 3.0L Power Stroke diesel (through 2021)
Transmissions
  • • 10-speed automatic
Reliability

How Reliable Is the 2021–present F-150?

Across 2021–present, reliability tracks the generation as a whole rather than any one model year. Early-build cars (2021–2022) carry the usual first-run risk, and late-run cars have had years of TSB and running fixes applied. The issues that actually decide whether a car is worth buying: 5.0L cam phaser tick on some 2021–2022; Infotainment glitches early in gen; PowerBoost 12V battery drain reports (TSB).

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

  • ✓5.0L cam phaser tick on some 2021–2022
  • ✓Infotainment glitches early in gen
  • ✓PowerBoost 12V battery drain reports (TSB)

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  • Reliability
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Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

Expect F-150 maintenance costs typical of the 14th gen generation. Engines: 3.3L V6 / 5.0L Coyote V8 / 2.7L EcoBoost V6 / 3.5L EcoBoost V6 / 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid / 3.0L Power Stroke diesel (through 2021). Transmissions: 10-speed automatic. Budget for the usual service intervals (oil, brakes, cooling, transmission fluid) plus preventative work on the known-weak items above. Parts for a 2026 Ford F-150 are cheap and widely available.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

Focused on what tends to fail on the 14th gen generation.

Engine
Cold-start smoke, oil level and color, valve cover / cam-cover leaks, timing components if due.
Transmission
Shift quality from a cold start, TCC lockup smoothness, fluid color and smell.
Suspension
Bushings, ball joints, shocks/struts; listen for clunks over bumps.
Rust
Rocker panels, wheel arches, frame and suspension mounts; critical on trucks and SUVs in salt-belt states.
Cooling System
Coolant color, pressure test, radiator condition, water-pump seepage.
Electronics
Infotainment boot time, cameras, driver-assist calibration, power seats and windows.
Interior
Dashboard cracks in hot climates, seat bolster wear, headliner sagging.
Service Records
Verify recall completion, timing-belt/water-pump history, transmission service intervals.
The Verdict

Should You Buy a 2021–present F-150?

Within 2021–present, condition and maintenance history beat model year almost every time. Later cars in the span are typically the most sorted; earlier cars are the cheapest way into the generation. If a 2021–present Ford F-150 passes a pre-purchase inspection with the known weak points checked, it's a defensible used buy. Strengths in this generation: Class-leading tech, PowerBoost is a genuine game-changer, Modern interior.

Best for: Buyers cross-shopping the whole 14th gen generation of the Ford F-150 rather than one specific model year.

Better alternatives

Consider Instead

The 2015–2020 generation is cheaper and simpler, with an older tech and safety package.

← 2015–2020 F-150Best F-150 YearsF-150 Years to Avoid

People Also Ask

Is the 2021–present Ford F-150 reliable?

Verdict rates it 4.3/5 for reliability and 4.5/5 as a buy. The faults that decide a given car are listed below — check those, not the badge.

What engine does the 2021–present Ford F-150 use?

The 14th gen generation offered 3.3L V6, 5.0L Coyote V8 and 2.7L EcoBoost V6. Which one you buy matters more for long-term cost than trim level does.

What are the most common 2021–present Ford F-150 problems?

The issues owners report most are 5.0L cam phaser tick on some 2021–2022, infotainment glitches early in gen and PowerBoost 12V battery drain reports (TSB). Every one of them is checkable before you hand over money.

Is the 2021–present Ford F-150 worth buying today?

It scores 4.5/5 as a used buy, with running costs at 4.2/5. Worth buying when the car has records and clears an inspection covering its engine, transmission and suspension.

Is the 2021–present Ford F-150 expensive to maintain?

Maintenance scores 4.2/5 and parts availability 4.8/5. Routine servicing is the predictable half; the model-specific repairs above are where the real money sits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021–present Ford F-150 reliable?
Reliability comes out at 4.3/5 in our scoring for this generation. Treat that as the starting point and let the car’s own records and inspection result decide the rest.
Should I buy a 2021–present Ford F-150?
Buy one when it comes with records and passes an independent inspection. On this year the deciding factors are condition and history, not mileage or trim.
What are the common problems on the 2021–present Ford F-150?
5.0L cam phaser tick on some 2021–2022; Infotainment glitches early in gen; PowerBoost 12V battery drain reports (TSB)
Is the 2021–present Ford F-150 expensive to maintain?
Running costs rate 4.2/5 for this generation, with parts easy enough to source. Budget for the generation-specific repairs listed above rather than for routine servicing.
What's new in the 2021–present F-150?
It sits in the 14th gen generation (2021–present). The generation section above covers what changed and when.
What engines and transmissions did the 2021–present Ford F-150 come with?
Engines: 3.3L V6, 5.0L Coyote V8, 2.7L EcoBoost V6, 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid, 3.0L Power Stroke diesel (through 2021). Transmissions: 10-speed automatic.
What should I inspect on a used 2021–present Ford F-150?
Engine: Cold-start smoke, oil level and color, valve cover / cam-cover leaks, timing components if due. Transmission: Shift quality from a cold start, TCC lockup smoothness, fluid color and smell. Suspension: Bushings, ball joints, shocks/struts; listen for clunks over bumps. Rust: Rocker panels, wheel arches, frame and suspension mounts; critical on trucks and SUVs in salt-belt states.
Who is a 2021–present Ford F-150 best for?
Buyers who want this generation's specific combination of 3.3L V6 or 5.0L Coyote V8 and full-size pickup practicality, bought on records rather than on the lowest odometer reading.
Should I consider a different year instead?
Worth comparing against the adjacent years in this generation (2020) — pricing often moves more than the mechanical difference does.
Generation guide

Ford F-150 Generations

Jump straight to the generation you're shopping.

  1. Generation 1

    11th gen (P2) · 2005–2008

    Introduced in 2004; carried through 2008 with detail refinements.

    2005–2008 F-150 guide
  2. Generation 2

    12th gen · 2009–2014

    Tougher body, larger cabs, EcoBoost V6 introduced in 2011.

    2009–2014 F-150 guide
  3. Generation 3

    13th gen · 2015–2020

    Aluminum body, revised chassis, 2.7L EcoBoost added, 10-speed automatic from 2017.

    2015–2020 F-150 guide
  4. Generation 4

    14th gen · 2021–2026

    Updated aluminum body, PowerBoost hybrid added, Pro Power onboard generator.

    2021–2026 F-150 guide

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