Ford has issued a recall for 112,965 F-150 pickup trucks due to a potential roll away risk caused by a damaged rear axle hub bolt. The recall affects vehicles with model years 2021 to 2023 that are equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The NHTSA alert highlights that the rear axle hub bolt could experience fatigue and break, leading to damage to the axle hub splines. This damage increases the likelihood of a vehicle roll away when it is in park without the parking brake engaged or may result in a loss of drive power, endangering both the driver and others on the road. The NHTSA warns that these issues significantly raise the risk of a potential crash.
Ford is currently developing a fix for the problem, and in the meantime, they recommend that F-150 owners visit a dealership if they hear any clicking or rattling noises associated with the rear axle bolt. An interim repair may be performed until the final fix is available.
The automaker plans to mail letters to affected F-150 owners by the end of January. Additionally, customers can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for more information. The recall number assigned to this issue is 23S65.
This is not the first time Ford has had to recall their F-150 trucks. In 2021, over 870,000 full-sized F-150 trucks were recalled due to an issue with the electronic parking brake, which could unexpectedly engage while the vehicle is being driven. This malfunction could potentially lead to a loss of control and result in a crash.
Ford has assured customers that they are actively working on a solution for the rear axle hub bolt recall and will communicate the fix to both dealerships and customers promptly. It is vital for F-150 owners to stay informed and take appropriate action to ensure their safety and prevent any potential accidents related to this issue.