NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 114 owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Edge.
Recalled components: backover prevention and rearview camera, engine and cooling, seat belts, and powertrain. Most-described problem: jerking, lurching or harsh shifting (17 complaints, 15%). Most-reported area: powertrain (38 complaints, 33%).
One of the best Edge years by owner complaints
The 2021 drew 31 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 50 for a typical Edge year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.
Years to avoid: 2011 to 2013, 2015, and 2016; best years: 2021, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 (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, 2021-2023Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Edge vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-151.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 (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.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Edge vehicles.
NHTSA listing: EDGE. Components: Backover prevention and rearview camera: display function; Backover prevention and rearview camera: software. Ford campaign 22S14.
Seat belts
May 24, 2021
front · retractor
Fails federal standard 208 (occupant crash protection)
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Edge 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles.
NHTSA listing: EDGE. Ford campaign 21S02.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation that names the 2021 Ford Edge; it is closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Loss of motive power
Engineering analysis EA23002Closed Oct 31, 2024 (opened Sep 29, 2023)
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… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 24V-635, listed above.
NHTSA listing: EDGE. Component: Engine.
An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Edge. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Jerking, lurching or harsh shifting17 · 15%
Shaking, shuddering or vibration12 · 11%
Transmission failure or replacement11 · 10%
Backup camera problems11 · 10%
Hesitation or slow acceleration8 · 7%
Infotainment or touchscreen failures6 · 5%
Driver-assist errors or blocked-sensor messages4 · 4%
Most named: rearview system braking (4); sensing system, camera (3)
Electrical system14 · 12%
Engine11 · 10%
Forward collision avoidance8 · 7%
Brakes5 · 4%
Speed control5 · 4%
Unknown or other18 · 16%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Ford Edge recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2021 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2013 Edge drew the most (439) and the 2021 drew 31.
Owner complaints
2021: 114 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ford Edge
Model year
Complaints
2010
673
2011
1,803
2012
1,134
2013
2,448
2014
386
2015
732
2016
931
2017
1,386
2018
856
2019
777
2020
331
2021
114
2022
136
2023
23
2024
44
Safety recalls
2021: 7 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ford Edge
Model year
Recalls
2010
6
2011
3
2012
3
2013
2
2014
3
2015
7
2016
7
2017
8
2018
7
2019
3
2020
4
2021
7
2022
5
2023
4
2024
2
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Edge, the problems described most are jerking, lurching or harsh shifting (17), shaking, shuddering or vibration (12), and transmission failure or replacement (11). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2021 Ford Edge safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2021 Ford Edge earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2021 Ford Edge?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2021 Ford Edge. It lists one closed investigation, which closed on Oct 31, 2024.
How do I check if my Edge has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: EDGE.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.