NHTSA Safety Recall (23V-896) on 113,000 F-150 Trucks with Trailer Tow Max Duty Package

[HammaMan]

You folks (well, OK, my own paranoia) have got me dreading basic tire rotation maintenance.

But I bit the bullet and did the chore this morning ..... found nothing visibly amiss (and no I did not put a wrench to those axle bolts to do any 'testing').

Knocking on wood and keeping fingers crossed, I look forward to the day when Ford eventually announces availability of true remedy.

Good Luck and Keep the Faith, everyone!

Given they say it's fatigue, why not proactively replace them? Fatigue is time and pressure. Reset the clock.

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[ARegularJoe]

Recall? Why? What's the point? If there is no known solution, what is the point of the recall? What are the techs at the Ford dealerships going to do - put the truck up on the rack and stare at it?

Or maybe (read: hopefully) Ford is further along with a solution than what they have let on....

I spoke with my Service writer today (1/30) after the second visit to fix the parking light flicker recall, and he said that the process will be to put the suspect vehicle in the air, take some pictures (he did not say of what or to what extent they will carve into anything) sending those photos to Ford who will then make a decision on whether or not they will repair a specific vehicle. He further stated that the repair parts , if required, aren't even going to be available until late February at the dealers so it sounds as though they aren't even going to begin the inspection until after they get parts.

 

[ARegularJoe]

LOL….that's now the “interim repair”.

Maybe they will replace the entire 3/4 float axle with a full float! Now that would be marvy! Probably only saved 50 bucks an axle going from full float to 3/4 float in the first place.

 

[ARegularJoe]

Interesting part of the document that Ford in the lab couldn’t replicate the failure.


As part the CCRG investigation, Ford obtained field-returned parts for analysis. Ford Engineering performed fracture mechanics analysis and metallurgical analysis on the field- returned parts to understand the failure mechanism. Additionally, the engineering team designed and built a fixture to replicate the failure mode. Concurrent to these workstreams,engineering conducted a vehicle durability test which ultimately did not recreate the stripped spline condition.

These activities took place from September through mid-December 2023.

Wow! This problem has been on the street for a long time now. I guess I am not surprised that Ford was in denial until they got enough reports from dealers having to fix these under warranty. I wonder if any good citizens clued the NTSB into the plague of broken axle retention bolts and Ford's rather slow response to what is obviously an engineering defect - by design or coincidence.

 

[FirstFord]

I spoke with my Service writer today (1/30) after the second visit to fix the parking light flicker recall, and he said that the process will be to put the suspect vehicle in the air, take some pictures (he did not say of what or to what extent they will carve into anything) sending those photos to Ford who will then make a decision on whether or not they will repair a specific vehicle. He further stated that the repair parts , if required, aren't even going to be available until late February at the dealers so it sounds as though they aren't even going to begin the inspection until after they get parts.

Man, I really don't like the sound of that!

Whether or not your Service Advisor was truly "in the know" on this specific topic is an unknown, I suppose (I'll give him/her the benefit of the doubt for this discussion). The time line for parts is also worthy of attention. My dealer is in Podunk USA, and when they replaced my passenger side axle last month, it took them 2 days to get the parts, and part of a day to perform the replacement, 3 days total. Now that's it's turned into a national recall, they're talking a month!

EDIT: And it's still a "temporary fix". Still don't know root cause, therefore no true end solution.

 

[UGADawg96]

Sounds to be like another dealership emp speaking out of his ass.

 

[notabot]

Given they say it's fatigue, why not proactively replace them? Fatigue is time and pressure. Reset the clock.

Ha! Sure sounds like kick the can down the road until it's someone else's problem! Proper large Corp behavior right there!

 

[Snakebitten]

Well I just left my keys and truck with my service writer at the dealership I PURCHASE my Ford vehicles from.

Anyone who knows me knows that wasn't easy for me to do. I haven't done so but a couple of times in the 24+ years I have been purchasing here.

Yesterday I had gone to the parts department, where I do have someone I do business with occasionally, and inquiried about how fast and how much for a ML3Z-4234-H (Passenger side axle)

He looked at his screen for a couple of minutes after I gave him my VIN, and then replied that he could get it "next day". But he also wanted me to know that my truck had a brand new "Recall" on that axle, so why was I purchasing one?

I was a bit surprised. First, I'm in the parts department, not the service department. And second, I know there's an upcoming recall, but it's not in affect yet? Right?

Nope. It's already a recall.
They printed it out for me.

 

[FirstFord]

Well I just left my keys and truck with my service writer at the dealership I PURCHASE my Ford vehicles from.

Anyone who knows me knows that wasn't easy for me to do. I haven't done so but a couple of times in the 24+ years I have been purchasing here.

I know that had to be hard on you. As much as it may seem like admitting defeat, it's not. Every now and then, you have to cave and take the practical / feasible route. No shame....

 

[Snakebitten]

Awww
Thanks for the encouragement.

To be completely honest, I owe respect to the parts & service department for the unexpected transparency that they exhibited when I discussed my options.

I rag on the Factory Service Industry enough that I would be a hypocrite if I didn't give them credit for being better than I accuse.

When my parts guy asked me why I would purchase an axle and fix the truck myself, I was completely honest with him. I said I don't know any of techs, I don't know if any of them are really good. And I don't know how I could make certain I got a good tech even if there was one.
Then I put him on the spot and asked "if it was your truck, are there any techs here that you would feel completely confident with doing this job?"

He's been there several years. He knew exactly what I was saying/asking.
He told me which service writer to go talk to and to tell him he sent me to him.
The service writer was nearly my age (60's) and said there's 6 or 7 Ford techs that have been there for several years and are considered very competent. But there are 3 of those 7 that have a loyal customer base and are requested by customers. All 3 he would let work on any vehicle he owned.

So that's what I got so far. As well as the time the service writer invested in talking shop with me.

So far, so good. I hope I get to continue to speak well of the whole process. I assure you that I will share.
In fact, I hope my local Ford Service Department serves me up a huge plate of crow. I'll happily eat every bite!

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

Well I just left my keys and truck with my service writer at the dealership I PURCHASE my Ford vehicles from.

Anyone who knows me knows that wasn't easy for me to do. I haven't done so but a couple of times in the 24+ years I have been purchasing here.

Sir, you made a valiant effort to try to keep your beloved PB Land yacht away from the wrath of the dealers. I know the torment that this creates in our minds, I've been there to. With some good luck, this will hopefully go right for you! and maybe you'll find a little bit of renewed confidence in your dealer.

 

[Snakebitten]

Sir, you made a valiant effort to try to keep your beloved PB Land yacht away from the wrath of the dealers. I know the torment that this creates in our minds, I've been there to. With some good luck, this will hopefully go right for you! and maybe you'll find a little bit of renewed confidence in your dealer.

Hey, YOU made a valient effort WITH me. ?
And I truly enjoyed wrestling with that ornery bolt too. The challenge was fun, as crazy as that might sound.

A little update on the final attempt....
So I "burred" out as much of the remaining bolt material as I dared. I then hammered in the appropriate size extractor from the set you turned me on to.
Put the impact on it and STILL it wouldn't yield right away. I decided to let the 1/2" Milwaukee impact have its way for a lengthy event. This time when it finally spun, it wasn't the extractor itself taking the damage. (smoothing off)
Instead, some piece of material spun with it and is now attached to the extractor circumference, because you can't pull the extractor out! Lol

It's loose as a goose to spinning in either direction. But it's trapped in the axle.
I told the service writer to tell the tech (whichever of the 3 he promised to give my truck to) that he can have my extractor if he wants it bad enough to remove it. ??

 

[Buyer2021]

I was a bit surprised. First, I'm in the parts department, not the service department. And second, I know there's an upcoming recall, but it's not in affect yet? Right?

Nope. It's already a recall.
They printed it out for me.

I thought you understood the recall is in full force and effect, superseding all previous CSPs.

The distinction is significant, among other reasons because the recall (currently on Supplement #1) now dictates the 'interim service action' replacement of both axle assemblies upon discovery of one loose or broken bolt.

Until a final repair is available, if customer reports a clicking or rattle noise coming from the rear axle, dealers are to inspect for a loose or separated wheel end hub bolt and replace both the right hand (RH) and left hard (LH) rear axle half-shaft and hub assemblies as required according to the technical instructions. For new vehicle storage guidelines, refer to EFC13033, Storage Guidelines for New Vehicles.​

Attached find the recall complete with Technical Instructions not included in the pages your dealer provided that you posted above.

See Techincal Instructions, Page 2/2, Item 5, here clipped verbatim with no emphasis added by me::

"5. Contact the SSSC. Once verbal approval has been given, replace the axle shaft on BOTH sides, even if only one side is loose or broken. Follow the WSM procedures in Section 205-02B."​

The recall will remain open for a given VIN even after completion of the currently described interim service; it will only be closed upon completion of the eventual / TBD 'final' remedy for a given VIN. That 'final' remedy will presumably be detailed in a subsequent Supplement to the Recall / Technical Instructions.

 

[Snakebitten]

I thought you understood the recall is in full force and effect, superseding all previous CSPs.

The distinction is significant, among other reasons because the recall (currently on Supplement #1) now dictates the 'interim service action' replacement of both axle assemblies upon discovery of one loose or broken bolt.

Until a final repair is available, if customer reports a clicking or rattle noise coming from the rear axle, dealers are to inspect for a loose or separated wheel end hub bolt and replace both the right hand (RH) and left hard (LH) rear axle half-shaft and hub assemblies as required according to the technical instructions. For new vehicle storage guidelines, refer to EFC13033, Storage Guidelines for New Vehicles.​

Attached find the recall complete with Technical Instructions not included in the pages your dealer provided that you posted above.

See Techincal Instructions, Page 2/2, Item 5, here clipped verbatim with no emphasis added by me::

"5. Contact the SSSC. Once verbal approval has been given, replace the axle shaft on BOTH sides, even if only one side is loose or broken. Follow the WSM procedures in Section 205-02B."​

The recall will remain open for a given VIN even after completion of the currently described interim service; it will only be closed upon completion of the eventual / TBD 'final' remedy for a given VIN. That 'final' remedy will presumably be detailed in a subsequent Supplement to the Recall / Technical Instructions.

It's my language that's misleading. Although the recall is in effect, the solution hasn't even been determined. I thought they would go hand in hand.

Afterall, you can't take your truck in for a recall if they don't yet know what the recall solution is.

Parsing words.
They are technically doing a warranty repair to my truck, in my opinion.

But you know as much or more than I do on the subject.

 

[mflynndelta]

It's my language that's misleading. Although the recall is in effect, the solution hasn't even been determined. I thought they would go hand in hand.

Afterall, you can't take your truck in for a recall if they don't yet know what the recall solution is.

Parsing words.
They are technically doing a warranty repair to my truck, in my opinion.

But you know as much or more than I do on the subject.

I took mine into dealer yesterday because I have the clicking noise. Dealer put it on rack and confirmed both bolts are not loose. Dealer refused to order parts for mine. Dealer did however sugggest the clicking noise is coming from brake caliper and suggested I pay to have rotors turned and caliper reclocked ?

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