In a recent development, Ford (NYSE: F) has issued a recall involving 112,965 F-150 pickup trucks, citing a risk of the vehicles potentially rolling away.
What Happened: As reported by CNN on Wednesday, the recall emanates from a defective rear axel hub bolt. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has indicated that the bolt might break and damage the axle hub splines. The resulting damage could cause the vehicle to roll away when left parked without the parking brake applied or result in a loss of drive power, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall pertains to F-150 vehicles from model years 2021 to 2023 fitted with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package. As a provisional fix, owners who hear a clicking or rattling noise associated with the rear axle bolt can take their vehicle to a dealership. The NHTSA has announced that a permanent fix is under development and will be communicated to dealers and customers soon. By the end of January, letters will be sent to F-150 owners informing them about the recall and the subsequent steps.
Why It Matters: This is not the first instance where Ford vehicles have faced recalls. In July 2023, Ford recalled 870,000 F-150 trucks due to issues with the activation of the electronic parking brake. The recall covered 2021 to 2023 models with a single exhaust system.
Additionally, in December 2023, Ford issued its 56th recall of the year, targeting nearly 18,000 model year 2023 vehicles. The recall was due to issues that may prevent the frontal airbag from deploying, risking occupants. Its supplier, BCS Automotive Interface Solutions, flagged the problem to Ford.