Ford Recalls 103,000 F-150 Trucks
Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 103,000 of its best-selling F-150 pickup trucks due to a mechanical defect that federal safety regulators warn could cause the vehicles to lose power or roll away, creating a serious crash hazard. The recall covers certain F-150 models from the 2023 to 2025 model years sold in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the defect involves a rear axle hub bolt that can fatigue and eventually break under stress. If that happens, it can damage the axle hub splines — the grooved components that transmit power from the drivetrain to the wheels — leading to a sudden loss of drive power or allowing the vehicle to move unintentionally when parked without the parking brake engaged.
NHTSA’s recall notice emphasizes that both conditions — loss of power and vehicle rollaway — “can increase the risk of a crash.” Ford has acknowledged the risk and said the company will notify affected owners by mail beginning September 23, 2025. Dealers will inspect the rear axle assembly and, if necessary, replace the axle hub and bolt at no cost to customers. In the meantime, Ford is urging owners to engage the parking brake every time the vehicle is parked, regardless of whether the truck is on a flat or inclined surface.
The automaker says owners may notice certain warning signs before a failure occurs. These include an audible clicking or rattling noise from the rear axle while driving, particularly under acceleration. In some cases, drivers may also feel unusual vibrations or experience difficulty maintaining acceleration. Ford has not disclosed whether the defect has been linked to any crashes or injuries, but the company confirmed it is acting proactively to address the safety risk.
The F-150, long regarded as the best-selling vehicle in America for over four decades, is a cornerstone of Ford’s lineup. This recall represents a significant safety campaign for the automaker, coming as federal regulators and the industry face heightened scrutiny over mechanical flaws that can put drivers and passengers in danger. In recent years, Ford has issued several high-profile recalls involving its pickup trucks, including separate campaigns for transmission defects, faulty brake systems, and other drivetrain issues.
Owners can check whether their vehicle is affected by visiting NHTSA’s recall lookup tool at nhtsa.gov/recalls and entering their VIN. Ford has stressed that until repairs are made, drivers should heed the warning symptoms and use their parking brake to mitigate the risk of rollaway.
