Ford, the renowned automaker, has issued a recall for 112,965 of its F-150 pickup trucks due to a potential roll-away risk. The recall is centered around a defect in the rear axle hub bolt, which, if damaged, could lead to a vehicle roll-away when parked without the parking brake applied, or a loss of drive power. This issue could significantly increase the risk of a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stated that the recall affects F-150 vehicles from model years 2021 through 2023 that are equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package. The rear axle hub bolt in these vehicles may fatigue and break, resulting in damage to the axle hub splines.
Ford is currently developing a fix for this issue. In the meantime, F-150 owners are advised to engage their truck’s electronic parking brake. Letters to F-150 owners will be mailed at the end of January, providing further information and instructions. Owners can also contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for more details. The recall number for this issue is 23S65.
This is not the first time Ford has had to recall its F-150 trucks. Last year, the company recalled more than 870,000 of its full-sized F-150 trucks due to issues with the electronic parking brake.
FAQ
Q: What is the issue with the F-150 trucks?
A: The issue lies with the rear axle hub bolt. It may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines. This could lead to a vehicle roll-away when parked without the parking brake applied, or a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Q: What models are affected by this recall?
A: The recall affects F-150 vehicles from model years 2021 through 2023 that are equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package.
Q: What should I do if I own one of these vehicles?
A: If you own one of these vehicles, engage your truck’s electronic parking brake and wait for further instructions from Ford. Letters will be mailed to owners at the end of January with more information. You can also contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Q: What is the recall number for this issue?
A: The recall number for this issue is 23S65.
Glossary
Recall: A recall is a request to return a product after the discovery of safety issues or product defects that might endanger the consumer or put the maker/seller at risk of legal action.
Rear Axle Hub Bolt: This is a component of the vehicle’s wheel assembly. It helps to secure the wheel to the vehicle and can affect the vehicle’s alignment, tire wear, and brake operation.
Axle Hub Splines: Splines are ridges or teeth on a drive shaft that mesh with grooves in a mating piece and transfer torque to it, maintaining the angular correspondence between them.
Vehicle Roll-Away: This refers to a situation where a vehicle rolls away unintentionally, typically due to a mechanical failure or operator error. This can occur when the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied.
Trailer Tow Max Duty Package: This is a package offered by Ford for its F-150 trucks, which includes features designed to enhance the vehicle’s towing capabilities.
Electronic Parking Brake: This is a button in a vehicle that activates the parking brake electrically, as opposed to a mechanical lever or pedal in older vehicles. It is used to prevent the vehicle from moving when parked.
