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Manufacturer recall number

Ford recall 21S53

Ford calls it 21S53. NHTSA filed it as campaign 21V983000 on Dec 16, 2021: latches/locks/linkages on the 2018 Ford F-150, 57,591 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings
NHTSA campaignVehiclesComponentFiledAffectedSeverity
21V9830002018 Ford F-150Latches/Locks/LinkagesDec 16, 202157,591high
Problem Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles with manual and power release tailgates. The tailgate latches may unlatch unexpectedly while driving. Risk Unexpected tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches, free of charge. An interim notification letter was mailed January 31, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S53.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 21V983000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. 21S53 is the number Ford assigned in its own system: it is what appears on the owner letter, on the dealer’s service screen and on the repair order. 21V983000 is the number NHTSA filed the same recall under when the manufacturer reported it, and it is the one every federal record, this site included, is keyed on.

The repair is free by federal law for vehicles up to fifteen years old. Whether one particular vehicle is included is settled by its VIN against the manufacturer’s build list, not by its model year.

Check one specific vehicle

Both lookups check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list and say whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is 21S53 the same recall as 21V983000?

Yes. 21S53 is Ford’s own number for it; 21V983000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does 21S53 cover?

2018 Ford F-150, 57,591 vehicles by the manufacturer’s count. A recall covers a build range, so the VIN decides whether one particular vehicle is in it.

Does the 21S53 repair cost anything?

No. The manufacturer must remedy a safety defect at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.