Ford Recalls Over 112,000 F-150s for Axle Bolt Issue

Failing rear axle hub bolts on nearly 113,000 F-150 models could result in the truck rolling away and increased crash risk.

Though there are a handful of currently active Ford recalls across the company’s vast lineup, some are more drastic than others. This one in particular is one that owners should not waste any time getting Ford to take care of. It affects 112,965 2021 through 2023 model-year Ford F-150 pickups. If you or someone you know owns an F-150 within that year range, particularly models equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty Package, you’ll want to check the VIN to see if the recall affects it.

CNN reports that this recall dictates that rear axle hub bolts on affected models might fatigue and break. Ultimately, a broken bolt can lead to damaging axle hub splines. If this occurs, power to the affected wheel could be hindered or eliminated. Worse yet, this issue could lead to a truck rolling away if the parking brake is not activated. While these issues do need a series of unfortunate events to occur, it’s certainly not worth the risk.

What Should Owners of F-150s in This Date Range Do? 

First and foremost, owners should identify if their F-150 features the Trailer Tow Max Duty package. According to the NHTSA bulletin, trucks equipped with this package are the only ones affected. If you do have this package, enter your truck’s VIN into the NHTSA recall search website. On the other hand, if your truck does not have this package, you are good to go.

Owners of affected trucks will not likely enjoy the fact that Ford does not currently have a solution to the problem. The release states that Ford will send notification letters to affected truck owners at the end of January. However, it continues to state that Ford’s remedy is “currently under development.” Furthermore, it instructs owners of affected vehicles to immediately take their trucks to dealerships for an interim repair if they hear any clicking or rattling noises associated with the rear end of the truck.

It never hurts to check. If all else fails, Ford customer service is available to take calls. F-150 owners can give customer service representatives the recall number “23S65” over the phone for more information or to check on the status of their personal vehicles.

Watch out for Recalls and Stay Safe on the Road!

Overall, this recall is not the most drastic one we have seen in recent years. Though it does affect a large number of trucks, it seems Ford is reasonably on top of the issue and can hopefully remedy all of the affected models before it becomes an issue. In the grand scheme of things, it seems a bit more minor than other recent recalls. For example, last year’s recall of over 870,000 F-150s for electronic parking brakes randomly activating, or the recall for binding steering gears that could cause a serious crash at speed.

Though taking time out of your day to check if your virtually brand-new truck has a recall or, worse yet, spending time to get it to the dealership for repairs can be annoying, it’s important to ensure your vehicle is safe.

Images: Ford Motor Company

Braden Carlson

Braden Carlson is an automotive enthusiast from Boise, Idaho. At 19 he quit his day job to pursue a career in automotive journalism, launching his Youtube channel in his own name. Today you can still find him producing DIY video content, reviews and writing for an amassment of automotive websites. His work is most frequently found on Rennlist, The Mustang Source and Corvette Forum. When not writing or driving, he's likely to be found covered in grease and oil undoubtedly from one of his gratuitous collection of questionable project cars.