23S65 - Rear Axle Shaft Repair - only if broken?

[Snakebitten]

But Ford no longer requires a picture of a sheared bolt in order to approve the procedure.

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[Ranger621]

I just called my local dealer in Michigan and they replaced both under the recall. They did have to order the parts before they replaced them.

 

[abw27]

Both dealers are telling me they will inspect it and only fix it if it is broken. Not happy. That’s not what the recall notice indicates to me. The way I read the notice is the parts get replaced no matter what.

I’m out here in Oregon dealing with the same issue. I bought my ‘22 F-150 5.0 with Max Tow used in June 2024, and the recall was already open at the time of sale. The dealer told me they couldn’t do anything because there were no parts available, but Ford was saying (according to the dealer) they’d be available in Q1 of 2025.


I’ve been checking mine regularly—no broken bolts yet. Then in May, I received a safety recall notice from Ford specific to my VIN. The recall is 23S65 (NHTSA Recall 23V869), and it clearly states:

“Parts are now available to repair your vehicle. Please confirm parts availability with your dealer when scheduling an appointment. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to replace both RH and LH rear axle half-shaft and hub assemblies free of charge.”

When I called the dealer to book an appointment, they said they can only get parts and clear the recall if the bolt is broken. Frustrating to say the least.

 

[chrisO2002]

Well, I am getting jerked around here on this recall. Received a letter from Ford stating that parts were available as of 23 June 2025. Went in for an Oil Change on Thursday, 10 July 2025—Bill Brown Ford in Livonia. The counter girl at Quicklane says your bolt fell out or was broken, and the tech found the part while changing the wheel. She told me it was okay to drive, they took pictures, and sent them to Ford. I questioned her, but she insisted it was true. I asked her if I could tow 8000 lbs with a broken axle, and she didn't know. She told me they would call once parts became available. One week goes by, and there's still no call, so I call her, and she says the parts are on backorder. Called after the second week, but got no answer and no callback. Now getting upset, I called the Service department today, and they confirmed that the parts are on backorder with no delivery date and no confirmation of my place in line for the said parts. The truck now rattles and pulses, as if I were towing a trailer down the highway. That sounds unsafe to me, but I have a letter from Ford stating that my truck is safe to drive.

What does everyone suggest I do?

2021 lariat
Max tow package
42,000 miles

 

[chrisO2002]

That is what my dealership told me too. Only repairing trucks with broken bolts. I even read them the letter from Ford. I gave up and found another dealership to do the work. (I may make them my dealership going forward). You have to make an appt, then leave the truck. They will take pics and send to Ford for approval. They order the parts and it could take from already having them in stock to 3 weeks from what I've seen. My parts took 5 days. FORD has really dropped the ball on this recall. Every dealership seems to be doing their own thing on this one. I got my done and I'm glad I don't have to deal with broken bolts anymore. Good luck. There is another thread on this. You should check it out.

I am at 2 plus weeks and still awaiting parts

 

[Snakebitten]

I think it's unreasonable that you should do so, but I'd talk to all the Ford dealerships that you'd be willing to drive to.
So far it appears the experience is very inconsistent between dealerships.

Edit: And in my opinion if you can even tell the bolt is missing from the driver's seat? You have worst case scenario for a broken axle bolt.

 

[westen2015]

Well, I am getting jerked around here on this recall. Received a letter from Ford stating that parts were available as of 23 June 2025. Went in for an Oil Change on Thursday, 10 July 2025—Bill Brown Ford in Livonia. The counter girl at Quicklane says your bolt fell out or was broken, and the tech found the part while changing the wheel. She told me it was okay to drive, they took pictures, and sent them to Ford. I questioned her, but she insisted it was true. I asked her if I could tow 8000 lbs with a broken axle, and she didn't know. She told me they would call once parts became available. One week goes by, and there's still no call, so I call her, and she says the parts are on backorder. Called after the second week, but got no answer and no callback. Now getting upset, I called the Service department today, and they confirmed that the parts are on backorder with no delivery date and no confirmation of my place in line for the said parts. The truck now rattles and pulses, as if I were towing a trailer down the highway. That sounds unsafe to me, but I have a letter from Ford stating that my truck is safe to drive.

What does everyone suggest I do?

2021 lariat
Max tow package
42,000 miles

When I got in to get mine done the bolts were broken. Dealer said it was unsafe to drive. Gave me a loaner for 2 days while they got parts in to fix it. It would have been helpful had they got the parts ahead of time like I begged them to do.

 

[Ed21]

Took 3 weeks to get mine after the pics were taken. Was told it would be a couple of days. This is after them telling me 9 days before when I originally called after getting the letter that they had the parts in stock but they just took the pictures. Just relaying my experience.

 

[Ranger621]

Well, I am getting jerked around here on this recall. Received a letter from Ford stating that parts were available as of 23 June 2025. Went in for an Oil Change on Thursday, 10 July 2025—Bill Brown Ford in Livonia. The counter girl at Quicklane says your bolt fell out or was broken, and the tech found the part while changing the wheel. She told me it was okay to drive, they took pictures, and sent them to Ford. I questioned her, but she insisted it was true. I asked her if I could tow 8000 lbs with a broken axle, and she didn't know. She told me they would call once parts became available. One week goes by, and there's still no call, so I call her, and she says the parts are on backorder. Called after the second week, but got no answer and no callback. Now getting upset, I called the Service department today, and they confirmed that the parts are on backorder with no delivery date and no confirmation of my place in line for the said parts. The truck now rattles and pulses, as if I were towing a trailer down the highway. That sounds unsafe to me, but I have a letter from Ford stating that my truck is safe to drive.

What does everyone suggest I do?

2021 lariat
Max tow package
42,000 miles

I took my truck to Blackwell Ford in Plymouth. They ordered the parts and had them installed the next day.

 

[chrisO2002]

Took 3 weeks to get mine after the pics were taken. Was told it would be a couple of days. This is after them telling me 9 days before when I originally called after getting the letter that they had the parts in stock but they just took the pictures. Just relaying my experience.

When was that date wise?

 

[abw27]

I’m out here in Oregon dealing with the same issue. I bought my ‘22 F-150 5.0 with Max Tow used in June 2024, and the recall was already open at the time of sale. The dealer told me they couldn’t do anything because there were no parts available, but Ford was saying (according to the dealer) they’d be available in Q1 of 2025.


I’ve been checking mine regularly—no broken bolts yet. Then in May, I received a safety recall notice from Ford specific to my VIN. The recall is 23S65 (NHTSA Recall 23V869), and it clearly states:

“Parts are now available to repair your vehicle. Please confirm parts availability with your dealer when scheduling an appointment. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to replace both RH and LH rear axle half-shaft and hub assemblies free of charge.”

When I called the dealer to book an appointment, they said they can only get parts and clear the recall if the bolt is broken. Frustrating to say the least.

Update as of 7/29 for those interested:

on 6/24 I called Ford customer support and opened a case. They attempted to reach my dealer’s service manager and left voicemails. Ford told me they'd follow up once they heard back.


In the meantime, I called my service rep to give him a heads-up. The next day (6/25), both Ford and the dealer got back to me confirming they would order the parts without validation that the bolt was broken, which contradicted what the dealer had previously told me. Service manager was glad I called Ford and had a case created, because he said it gave them ammo to get parts on order.

Then, the dealer called again on 6/28 asking for pictures of the hub so I sent those in. As of 7/1, the parts have been "on order," but I haven’t heard anything since and they can't tell me any ETA.

 

[Ed21]

When was that date wise?

6/9 - 7/12

 

[chrisO2002]

I am at 2 plus weeks and still awaiting parts

Received a call today, 7/30/2025, after posting a complaint on the Ford Page on Facebook. The young lady informs me that they are indeed out of parts and won't be getting any more until the end of September. I thanked her for the call and told her that since Ford has not issued a no-drive notice with this recall, I will use it as intended to include towing 9,000 lbs of Ag Lime next week.

 

[Ranger621]

When was that date wise?

May 28, 2025

 

[sbacpo]

Took mine in on 8/6 to investigate a rattle. Found the drivers side axle bolt head sheared off. Took pictures and ordered parts to replace both on 8/8. Supposedly, Ford released the parts and they are enroute. Dealer wouldn't release the truck back to me citing safety issues. No loaner.

I'll update in case anyone's curious.

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