Recall: Fracturing Front Axle Pinion on 2023 Ford F-150, 4x4s. May Cause Front Wheels to Lock Up

[Big Dog Daddy]

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V128000

Document: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V128-8430.PDF

Vehicle: 2023-2023 Ford F-150

Production Dates : JAN 15, 2023 - JAN 24, 2023

Descriptive Information : Ford’s team reviewed front axle assembly manufacturing process and maintenance records to determine the population of affected parts. The Ford process is capable of tracing front axle assembly production to the vehicle in which the front axle assembly is installed. Ford is able to provide the specific VIN list – see attachment VINs. Affected vehicles are equipped with a suspect front axle pinion assembly.

227 Ford F-150 vehicles are affected.

Description of the Defect : The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.

Safety Risk : Pinions that did not receive proper heat treatment may fracture, which may lead to the loss of the 4x4 application with the potential of the front wheels locking up, increasing the risk of a crash.

Description of the Cause : Certain front axle pinions bypassed the heat treat process at the axle manufacturing plant.

 

[HammaMan]

I, uh, am really curious how a final heat treatment is missed. I'm guessing it was the the normalization process. Each week something drops causing me to keep putting distance between myself and a new ford. Sorry, but the CEO has got to go already.

Super curious how simply backing these things onto transporters revealed this -- are these guys going into 4WD for this? Guessing ford is sure glad they did.

 

[Pedaldude]

Awesome! Gotta love when the parts supplier skips a step; leaving a critical part with the metallurgical properties of a dollar store screwdriver.

When is Ford going to rein in their QC problems, or are they just going to come up with new sticker packages? Shit like this gives a name like Rattler new meaning!

 

[Grottos]

Wow, my 2021 has had its front differential grenade and replaced, then on Monday the transfer case broke and I dropped it off. Apparently the case is 3weeks wait so in the past 2 months my 2021 f150 has been unusable for 4 weeks…. Unfortunately Canada doesn’t have a lemon law

 

[Je1279]

Was it a certain gear ratio built during that date range? I just ran my VIN from a build that completed on 1/22 and it wasn't listed. Mine has the 3.73 gearing if that helps.

 

[RcFlyer330]

Was it a certain gear ratio built during that date range? I just ran my VIN from a build that completed on 1/22 and it wasn't listed. Mine has the 3.73 gearing if that helps.

It says right in the documents provided that the recall is only for 2023 MY vehicles that have the 3.73 gears.

 

[nomarhits400]

Was it a certain gear ratio built during that date range? I just ran my VIN from a build that completed on 1/22 and it wasn't listed. Mine has the 3.73 gearing if that helps.

Yeah, my build date was 1/17- not the list either…. Yet.

 

[MikeyDog]

I hate to say it, but some people in production need to be fired. There has to be some accountability with some of these employees. If the UAW wants a better contract, they need to reign in these people/mistakes.

 

[My 2ND Ford]

I, uh, am really curious how a final heat treatment is missed. I'm guessing it was the the normalization process. Each week something drops causing me to keep putting distance between myself and a new ford. Sorry, but the CEO has got to go already.

Super curious how simply backing these things onto transporters revealed this -- are these guys going into 4WD for this? Guessing ford is sure glad they did.

There is a You tube video of a transporter detailing how he loads trucks at a Ford Depot. I would imagine if the ramps are wet from rain or snow, that the loader would engage 4x4 for better vehicle control. I own a BMW motorcycle that had a stop ride order in spring of 2014 because the rear shock manufacture missed a critical step in machining the piston assembly allowing it to fracture at the threaded portion of the piston. If that happens, hydraulic fluid can spill out onto the rear tire. Two shocks actually did fail, fortunately no one was injured. BMW changed suppliers to remedy the problem.

 

[Je1279]

It says right in the documents provided that the recall is only for 2023 MY vehicles that have the 3.73 gears.

Well that is interesting. It must be just a subset as my VIN that was completed on 1/22 wasn't affected.

 

[hotrodmex]

Well that is interesting. It must be just a subset as my VIN that was completed on 1/22 wasn't affected.

Says in the docs there it was only 227 trucks.

 

[GregBC]

I, uh, am really curious how a final heat treatment is missed. I'm guessing it was the the normalization process. Each week something drops causing me to keep putting distance between myself and a new ford. Sorry, but the CEO has got to go already.

Super curious how simply backing these things onto transporters revealed this -- are these guys going into 4WD for this? Guessing ford is sure glad they did.

I bet you it wasn’t. I bet it was known at the deck plate and either someone gundecked the info or didn’t say anything to support production schedule.

Not long ago, similar thing was discovered on US subs for a major nuke plant component. It was known by 1 person and never checked/confirmed by others until a few subs had the bad part installed.

Similarly, this could be a supplier a couple levels removed, or it could be done at Ford (so much gets done by suppliers, who knows). Hate to say it, but this stuff happens all the time in industry: if someone can get away with something, they will. It still falls on Ford to catch/verify all of this (Ie, QA), so the blame ultimately falls on Ford. But same thing can happen to any manufacturer on any model (think Toyota or Honda or BMW are immune? Think again!)

 

[Pete6114]

My confidence in ford has been getting a bad beating. My 2021 Plat is junk and am getting rid of it ASAP. Ordered a F250 Plat couple month ago as a last ditch effort to land a problem free/recall free truck. What are the odds?

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