Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for its F-150 trucks due to a problem with the rear axle bolts being susceptible to breaking.
If the rear axle bolt fatigues or breaks, Ford said it can cause damage to the axle hub splines, which may trigger a loss of drive power or cause affected vehicles to roll away without the parking brake applied, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“The rear axle hub bolt may break due to fatigue and will no longer prevent micro-movement between the hub splines and the axle shaft splines. Over time, in a corrosive environment, corrosion and the micro-movement may result in wearing of the hub splines which can lead to loss of torque transfer to the wheel end,” a description of the defect reads.
“Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash,” wrote Alex Ansley, chief of the NHTSA’s Recall Management Division, in a letter to Ford summarizing the company’s notification of the NHTSA.
In total, Ford has recalled nearly 113,000 F-150 vehicles manufactured between January 28, 2020, and December 25, 2023. All affected vehicles come equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy-duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. Only 2% of the recalled vehicles are expected to contain the defect.
While a fix has not been issued, Ford says a remedy is currently “under development.”
Owners of affected trucks are instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for an interim repair if they experience symptoms related to rear axle bolt breakage, such as a clicking or rattling noise. Notification letters are expected to be mailed out by January 29, 2024. Owners may also contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for additional questions.
Ford’s number for this recall is 23S65, while the NHTSA Campaign Number is 23V-896.
