2021 Ford Edge Safety Report
2021 Ford Edge Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Ford Edge
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Ford Edge. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (7) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (90) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Ford Edge with 14 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Ford Edge before buying across this generation. |
Ford Edge Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Ford Edge years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Ford Edge | 99 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Ford Edge | 263 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Ford Edge | 14 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Ford Edge | 671 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Ford Edge | 36 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Ford Edge | 726 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Ford Edge Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Ford Edge, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Ford onlyBack Over Prevention
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Ford onlyUnknown Or Other
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Ford onlyElectrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Ford onlyVisibility
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Ford onlyVehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Ford onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Ford Edge
Reliability Score
The 2021 Ford Edge receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Ford Edge
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Ford Edge
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Ford Edge:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention Software errors in the back over prevention system can cause the system to malfunction, posing a safety risk. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Cooling Internal/external engine parts and cooling issues can lead to transmission failures and other mechanical problems. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belts Front seat belt retractors can malfunction, posing a safety hazard. Regular inspections and replacements are recommended. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Transmission issues, including jerking, shuddering, and delayed acceleration, have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Ford Edge:
Issues with the back over prevention system have been reported.
Engine and cooling problems have been reported.
Front seat belt retractors have been reported to have issues.
Transmission issues, including jerking and shuddering, have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2021 Ford Edge
The following 7 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Ford Edge by NHTSA:
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.
Consequence: 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 are expected to be mailed March 30, 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.
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.
Consequence: 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 avail...
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
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."
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Ford Edge
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Ford Edge with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Purchase this vehicle at 30,000 miles have problems with it since day one with the ABS rear brake dragging I've done had two ABS control modules replaced the ABS control pump the torque converter because the brakes are tearing the torque converter out of it from all the strain. It does it intermittently. All of the repairs have been done through Ford they had to replace the when the brake rotors t...
My vehicle was recalled by the manufacturer for possibly defective intake valves. The manufacturer did a destructive test on the valves, This test consisted of running the car at 4500 rpm (approximately 120 mph) for a period of approximately 50 minutes. Since this test my car has undergone 3 transmission repairs. Any of these conditions could have resulted in being stranded on the road or poss...
Transmission total failure at 118000 miles vehicle had shutting and jerking problems for about 40000 miles.
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 am...
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...
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 $...
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 ...
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 ill...
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
The transmission whines and jerks. The dealership verified. It was rebuilt and now it’s doing the same thing again
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.
Transmission and transfer cases. The car sputters when taking off from a stop.
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 wer...
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 b...
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 ...
Screen went black, had to replace the computer behind the screen for 1,500 dollars.
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 m...
See attached document for complaint.
The transmission failed while driving down the road. The vehicle jumped gears while traveling at approximately 30 miles per hour. My husband was luckily able to maneuver it to a safe location, but almost wrecked in the process of it jumping gears while we were accelerating with the flow of traffic. The problem has been confirmed by the Ford Dealer- the transmission failed and has grinded up clutch...
Car shudders and jerks during acceleration
Showing 20 of 90 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Ford Edge
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2023-09-29 · Closed 2024-10-31
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 ve...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Ford Edge
Has the 2021 FORD EDGE been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 FORD EDGE has 7 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 FORD EDGE have?
The 2021 FORD EDGE has 90 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 FORD EDGE?
The 2021 FORD EDGE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 FORD EDGE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 FORD EDGE involve power train (18 complaints), back over prevention (16 complaints), unknown or other (7 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, visibility, vehicle speed control,unknown or other,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2021 FORD EDGE have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2021 FORD EDGE out of 90 total complaints (3.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 FORD EDGE have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2021 FORD EDGE out of 90 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 FORD EDGE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 FORD EDGE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 FORD EDGE?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 FORD EDGE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 FORD EDGE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 FORD EDGE is acceptable with caveats. It has 90 complaints, 7 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 FORD EDGE?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 FORD EDGE are: 1. POWER TRAIN (18 complaints), 2. BACK OVER PREVENTION (16 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY (4 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 18 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 FORD EDGE?
Be cautious of potential software and mechanical issues, especially with the back over prevention system and transmission. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2021 FORD EDGE has 90 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 FORD EDGE?
The 2021 FORD EDGE receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 90 owner complaints, 7 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Back Over Prevention and Engine and Cooling.
What are the known issues with the 2021 FORD EDGE?
Known issues with the 2021 FORD EDGE include: Back Over Prevention, Engine and Cooling, Seat Belts, Transmission. These are based on patterns found across 90 NHTSA complaints. 7 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2021 Ford Edge?
Common issues include back over prevention system malfunctions, engine and cooling problems, front seat belt retractors, and transmission issues.
Is the back over prevention system reliable?
There have been software issues reported that can cause the system to malfunction, posing a safety risk.
What should I do if I experience transmission problems?
Have the transmission checked by a professional mechanic to diagnose and address the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential software and mechanical issues, especially with the back over prevention system and transmission. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Ford Edge
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Ford Edge. The data includes 90 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 7 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Ford Edge an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-15