It has been almost two weeks since Ford final introduced a car recall, however the streak has been damaged. The automaker with extra remembers than every other this yr – by far – has simply mentioned that the homeowners of 103,174 F-150 pickups from 2023 by means of 2025 might want to get some axle replacements. The issue is that the semi-floating axle design used on Max Tow package deal vans might develop into totally floating, and never in a great way. This might trigger the truck to roll away or lose energy.
Max Responsibility Axle Not Delivering Max Sturdiness
Choosing the Trailer Tow Max Responsibility package deal on the F-150 raises its towing capability to as a lot as 13,500 kilos. There are some tech upgrades and different modifications that get you to the utmost capability, however actually, it comes from a stronger rear axle. The 9.75-inch rear axle with a 3.73:1 gear and digital locking is what Ford calls a 3/4 float axle.
The issue with the axle is the rear axle hub bolt. It secures the wheel hub to the axle shaft within the truck. The bolt can break because of fatigue, and that lets the axle shaft transfer within the hub. Ford describes them as “micro-movements,” however says that corrosion and time can let the quantity of motion develop. When the components transfer towards one another, it may put on the splines within the rear hub. As soon as they’re worn sufficient, they strip out utterly.
When the hub splines are stripped, there is not any longer a bodily connection between the axle shaft and the hub. The axle shaft and hub can then spin independently. If the 2 components spin independently, it may have two penalties. The primary is that when the truck is parked with out the parking brake on, the one factor holding it in place is the parking pawl within the transmission. If the splines let go, the truck can roll away, doubtlessly inflicting a crash.
The second is that if the splines strip out whilst you’re driving, the truck might all of the sudden lose energy switch. You will not have the ability to drive ahead or reverse, so you may must coast to the aspect of the street. The danger of a crash is excessive in that scenario.
Repair Consists of New Rear Axles
Clients may get some superior discover of a failure. You may have the ability to hear a clicking noise or a rattle, nevertheless it’s not going to be simple to suss out by ear or really feel.
The repair is a visit to the vendor to have each the left and proper axle shaft assemblies changed. The brand new components include an improved geometry and revised fasteners that remedy the difficulty. Ford will begin notifying clients this week, however it will likely be a phased recall. Some will not be notified till as late as Could 22, 2026. We have reached out to Ford to ask in regards to the phasing, however we assume it is associated to both car age or, because it’s associated to corrosion, the state the place it was bought.
Ford first discovered of the difficulty in June 2025 as a part of a follow-up into 2021-2023 mannequin vans, which have been recalled for the same failure. As of July 14, the automaker is conscious of 194 guarantee claims involving the affected vans, however it’s not conscious of any accidents or accidents. Vehicles constructed after Could 21, 2025, should not affected. The Ford recall ID is 25S82.
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