Recall 21V407 affects 223 2021 Ford F-150 trucks for steering gear damage. Do not drive. Free tow-in repair at a franchised Ford dealer.
Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive the truck, even for short trips, until the steering gear has been replaced. Noise or heavier steering effort is a warning sign. If the vehicle needs to move, arrange the towing service described by Ford. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 223 2021 F-150 trucks under recall 21V407 because internal steering gear damage can make steering difficult or stop the wheel from rotating while driving. Do not drive an included truck until a Ford dealer completes the free repair; loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
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What's wrong?
The steering gear on the 2021 Ford F-150 is the part that turns steering-wheel movement into movement at the front wheels. Inside it, a ball nut assembly helps the gear move smoothly as the driver turns the wheel. The system depends on those internal parts staying seated and moving in their guides.
In NHTSA campaign 21V407, Ford traced the defect to damage inside the steering gear. Supplier tooling interfered with the ball nut retainer during assembly, and that damaged retainer can break and move out of place. When it breaks, the balls inside the ball nut assembly can wedge instead of circulating through their return guides. Continued steering can wedge them farther, causing higher steering effort or preventing the steering wheel from rotating while driving.
A driver can hear noise from the steering system or feel the wheel getting harder to turn. Those are warning signs to take seriously because the steering gear already has internal damage.
Who's affected?
The included steering-system listings all point to Ford steering gear part ML3Z-3504-G.
| 2021 Ford F-150 | steering system |
|---|---|
| 2021 Ford F-150 | steering gear |
| 2021 Ford F-150 | steering system |
| Units affected | 223 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive the truck, even for short trips, until the steering gear has been replaced. Noise or heavier steering effort is a warning sign. If the vehicle needs to move, arrange the towing service described by Ford. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Ford F-150 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the truck until the steering-gear replacement is complete.
- Arrange a tow for dealer service; do not drive the truck there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free steering-gear replacement for the internal damage that affects steering control.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 21V407 and Ford recall 21S28 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until the repair is complete. Ford says affected vehicles will be towed in for service, so ask the dealer to arrange towing instead of driving it in. At the dealer, a Ford technician removes the steering gear and installs a replacement steering gear. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are covered through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 29, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 29, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| May 31, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 3, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 4, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V407?
Recall 21V407 covers 223 2021 Ford F-150 trucks with steering gear internal damage that can make steering difficult or stop the steering wheel from rotating while driving. Do not drive the truck until Ford replaces the steering gear for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Ford F-150 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 21V407. If it is, do not drive it. Call a franchised Ford dealer and ask for towing to service. Ford dealers will remove and replace the steering gear for free.
Is it safe to drive my 2021 Ford F-150 before the recall repair?
No. Do not drive the truck until the steering gear repair is complete. Ford says affected vehicles will be towed in for service because steering gear damage can cause loss of steering control and increase crash risk.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford will replace the steering gear free of charge at a franchised Ford dealer. Ford's recall number for the dealer is 21S28.
When were owners notified about Ford recall 21V407?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on June 4, 2021. If you bought the truck used or never received a letter, check your VIN, then call a franchised Ford dealer with recall number 21V407 or Ford recall number 21S28.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V407000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V407 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V407000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →