Top Safety Pick

2021 Ford F-150

large pickup / Extended cab pickup

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights built after June 2021

2021 Ford F-150 Extended cab pickup — *Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company*

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system	Superior
Optional system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system	Superior
Optional system	Advanced

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCab

The Ford F-150 was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of an F-150 conducted by Ford.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics The dummy’s head contacted the frontal airbag but partly slid off the left side, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. Additionally, the seat belt allowed excessive forward excursion of the dummy’s head and torso. The side curtain airbag deployed and had sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2103
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	12
Left toepan (cm)	12
Brake pedal (cm)	10
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Upper dash (cm)	5
Lower instrument panel (cm)	6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2103
Head
HIC-15	165
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	6
Maximum Nij	0.33
Chest maximum compression (mm)	22
Femur (kN)
Left	1.0
Right	1.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	4
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.52
Right	0.45
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.3
Right	2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	102
Right	98

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCab

The Ford F-150 was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of an F-150 conducted by Ford.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2106
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	13
Footrest (cm)	18
Right toepan (cm)	17
Center toepan (cm)	14
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	9
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	13
Upper dash (cm)	10
Right lower dash (cm)	10

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2106
Head
HIC-15	162
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	43
Maximum Nij	0.45
Chest maximum compression (mm)	16
Femur (kN)
Left	1.3
Right	2.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	11
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.56
Right	0.68
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.1
Right	2.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	76
Right	93

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2106
Head
HIC-15	57
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	5
Maximum Nij	0.12
Chest maximum compression (mm)	19
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.23
Right	0.22
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	28
Right	68

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCab

The Ford F-150 was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of an F-150 conducted by Ford.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2103
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	6
Left (cm)	7
Center (cm)	6
Right (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	5
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	-1
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	2
Rearward (cm)	-10
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2103
Head
HIC-15	259
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	18
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.0
Femur force - right (kN)	1.6
Knee displacement - left (mm)	2
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.46
Maximum tibia index - right	0.61
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.4
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	5.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	64
Right	123

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2021-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCab

The Ford F-150 was redesigned for the 2021 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of an F-150 conducted by Ford.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS2103
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-14.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2103
Head HIC-15	208
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Compression (kN)	0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	34
Lateral force (kN)	1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	42
Average deflection (mm)	39
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.80
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.49
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.3
Acetabulum force (kN)	3.1
Combined force (kN)	5.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.7
L-M moment (Nm)	21
A-P moment (Nm)	71

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2103
Head HIC-15	203
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	18
Lateral force (kN)	1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.80
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.46
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.6
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.9
Combined force (kN)	2.4
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.6
L-M moment (Nm)	73
A-P moment (Nm)	65

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2015-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCab

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	4,596 lbs
Peak force	24,536 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.34

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Power cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	18
Distance below top of head (mm)	20
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	12.2
Head contact time (ms)	56
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	14
Max neck tension (N)	587

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Lariat trim equipped with 502A package; built after June 2021

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Lariat trim equipped with 502A package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-23 models built after June 2021

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	94.1 m	None
Straightaway left edge	48.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	76.9 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	45.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	65.2 m	None
150m radius left curve, right edge	51.1 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	135.7 m
Straightaway left edge	154.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	80.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	92.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	65.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	67.9 m

Trim level(s)

XLT trim equipped with 302A package; built after June 2021
Lariat trim; built after June 2021

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	XLT trim equipped with 302A package Lariat trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-23 models built after June 2021

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	99.6 m	None
Straightaway left edge	46.0 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	51.0 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	44.6 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	43.9 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	42.6 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	184.7 m
Straightaway left edge	169.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	59.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	57.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	47.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	48.2 m

Trim level(s)

XL trim; built after June 2021
XLT trim; built after June 2021

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	XL trim XLT trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2021-23 models built after June 2021

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	73.7 m	None
Straightaway left edge	30.7 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	36.6 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	33.8 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	34.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	29.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	130.0 m
Straightaway left edge	82.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	46.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	42.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	37.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	33.5 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

Standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Package name

Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 (camera only)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

Optional Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking

Package name

Optional Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 package (camera and radar)
optional on XLT and Lariat trims

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (Co-Pilot360 2.0; camera only)

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2021-23 models of the following trim lines: XL trim, XLT trim, Lariat trim

Superior

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 34 mph. A warning was issued 1.8 seconds before impact.

System details

optional Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0; camera and radar)

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2021-23 models of the following trim lines: XLT trim equipped with Ford Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 package, Lariat trim equipped with Ford Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 package

Advanced

with optional equipment

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 17 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 30 mph. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test