F150 Rear Axle Recall

[Snakebitten]

Excellent post rtf150

I believe that you are correct in thinking that had you put a socket on the bolt and put even a few ftlbs of loosening torque on it, it would have fell off in your hands.

You probably know that I too got new assemblies when I sheared the passenger side bolt, but I immediately removed the factory bolt on both axles as soon as I got the truck home. The aftermarket bolts I replaced them with have held up so far, while towing across the USA east/west and north/south.

At oil change/tire rotation time, I remove each bolt and look for any sign for spline fretting, press-fit degradation, as well as bolt stress. Since I bought several bolts, I even replaced them once again since.

I intend at some point to get the recall done. But unless I find evidence of a problem with the axles I currently have, I have no intention of dealing with the current frustration and shortcomings of the recall procedure.

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[Ed21]

If it’s any consolation, I had my final recall done on my 2021 at 45,000 miles. 11,000 of it towing a 6,000# TT. Took 2 weeks to get the parts. Although frustrating I never thought of it as a big deal. Knew it would be ironed out eventually. I agree that it’s frustrating as hell but I never worried about getting in any kind of accident after hearing about the ramafications of a broken bolt. I honestly never even popped the center caps to even look at them. I guess if I heard the telltale noise I would have.

 

[carlk1]

What a cluster of a mess with the recall of the rear axel and bolt sheering recall with corporate Ford and their dealers. What a joke and such a poor way to communicate with customers. I have spoken to the recall department twice promising me parts are available, that they contacted my dealer, and an appointment with my dealer can be made by calling my dealer. I call and no parts are available and they tell me to keep calling back after 1.8 years and four recall letters since January 2024. My truck is listed as non driveable and supposedly I am driving a dangerous vehicle. The escalation with corporate customer service yielded nothing. The recall letter promises parts are available and a loaner; my dealer says no rental no parts. Spoke to a major Ford dealership in Raleigh and they are back ordered with considerable number of recalls. I was told there is no fix, there has never been a fix and no one will have their truck fixed anytime soon. Yet, corporate Ford denies this feedback. What a S—— show and a lowly way to communicate with your customers. I was denied a lemon claim through Ford as well. I would appreciate any other customer feedback. Thanks.

I have a 21 f150 with max tow I had to first take the truck to the dealer for inspection of the axle. It took over 2 months to get the parts. The dealer came to my house picked up the truck fixed it and returned it. Just sayin that was my experience with the recall.

 

[Edgar10937]

I have a 21 f150 with max tow I had to first take the truck to the dealer for inspection of the axle. It took over 2 months to get the parts. The dealer came to my house picked up the truck fixed it and returned it. Just sayin that was my experience with the recall.

 

[M88265]

What a cluster of a mess with the recall of the rear axel and bolt sheering recall with corporate Ford and their dealers. What a joke and such a poor way to communicate with customers. I have spoken to the recall department twice promising me parts are available, that they contacted my dealer, and an appointment with my dealer can be made by calling my dealer. I call and no parts are available and they tell me to keep calling back after 1.8 years and four recall letters since January 2024. My truck is listed as non driveable and supposedly I am driving a dangerous vehicle. The escalation with corporate customer service yielded nothing. The recall letter promises parts are available and a loaner; my dealer says no rental no parts. Spoke to a major Ford dealership in Raleigh and they are back ordered with considerable number of recalls. I was told there is no fix, there has never been a fix and no one will have their truck fixed anytime soon. Yet, corporate Ford denies this feedback. What a S—— show and a lowly way to communicate with your customers. I was denied a lemon claim through Ford as well. I would appreciate any other customer feedback. Thanks.

My ford dealer came to do the recall. I have never had the sheared bolt they called me and said they had the parts and wanted to do the recall.

 

[M88265]

My ford dealer came to do the recall. I have never had the sheared bolt they called me and said they had the parts and wanted to do the recall.

Meant to say called to do the recall

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Excellent post rtf150

I believe that you are correct in thinking that had you put a socket on the bolt and put even a few ftlbs of loosening torque on it, it would have fell off in your hands.

You probably know that I too got new assemblies when I sheared the passenger side bolt, but I immediately removed the factory bolt on both axles as soon as I got the truck home. The aftermarket bolts I replaced them with have held up so far, while towing across the USA east/west and north/south.

At oil change/tire rotation time, I remove each bolt and look for any sign for spline fretting, press-fit degradation, as well as bolt stress. Since I bought several bolts, I even replaced them once again since.

I intend at some point to get the recall done. But unless I find evidence of a problem with the axles I currently have, I have no intention of dealing with the current frustration and shortcomings of the recall procedure.

Hey, I’m sure some would probably like to know, can you put up a part number and a manufacturer for the bolts you’re using?

 

[264winmag]

Thanks for the feedback. This is what I was looking for to understand worst case scenario much appreciate your time.

Many are in the same boat. Drive the f’n truck.

 

[Cobraman428]

So glad I got my axles replaced when the parts first became available back in June. All this drama over a stupid f'kng bolt. FORD has dropped the ball on this recall. I get it, if the bolts aren't sheared then put people off and focus on just the sheared one's first and used the parts that are made from them then do the others... FORD's vendor for the axles should be working 24x7 to get them made.

 

[SN-OR]

Thanks for the feedback. This is what I was looking for to understand worst case scenario much appreciate your time.

My experience: 2022 PB Max Tow -- first axle bolt (passenger side) broken off, no symptoms, discovered in dealer servicing and tire rotation at less than 10k if memory serves me correctly. Prior to recall I do know. First learned it was a bigger problem than my truck by reading this forum. Replacement made same day - back in late 2022 I believe.
Post recall, dealer inspected driver side more than once and said no issue, doesn't need replacing. At 41k miles in March of 2025, going around a 90 degree corner the driver side axle floated enough to cause all the splines to strip and leave me dead in the road. Truck towed to dealer and repaired within a week.
Both sides replaced, hopefully no future issues, but does cause me to think about it often. I do tow 40% of the time, often longer trips and hope to never be stranded.

 

[TarnishedCopper]

What a cluster of a mess with the recall of the rear axel and bolt sheering recall with corporate Ford and their dealers. What a joke and such a poor way to communicate with customers. I have spoken to the recall department twice promising me parts are available, that they contacted my dealer, and an appointment with my dealer can be made by calling my dealer. I call and no parts are available and they tell me to keep calling back after 1.8 years and four recall letters since January 2024. My truck is listed as non driveable and supposedly I am driving a dangerous vehicle. The escalation with corporate customer service yielded nothing. The recall letter promises parts are available and a loaner; my dealer says no rental no parts. Spoke to a major Ford dealership in Raleigh and they are back ordered with considerable number of recalls. I was told there is no fix, there has never been a fix and no one will have their truck fixed anytime soon. Yet, corporate Ford denies this feedback. What a S—— show and a lowly way to communicate with your customers. I was denied a lemon claim through Ford as well. I would appreciate any other customer feedback. Thanks.

Make a written complaint with whomever in responsible for Consumer Complaints in you state. Here in Iowa it is the Attorney General's Office. You need to document dates, times, and include a copy of the recall letter, and who you spoke with at the dealership and at Ford.

 

[22skidoo]

I have 22 with max tow. Been concerned since I heard about the recall because I tow 5k trailer across the US (twice before the recall and once since with no noticeable difference). I admit that I am really glad to have this off my plate. Should help when I am ready to replace the truck.

My experience was better than expected. Soon as I heard parts were available I called my local dealer (who usually has no clue) and they looked up the fix. They told me to bring in the truck for pictures so they could order the parts. Two weeks later they called and said parts are in. I made an appointment and sat in the dealership for 2 hours, recall complete.

Recall info:
Ford has issued recalls for F-150 pickup from model years 2023-2025 equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package due to rear axle hub bolts that may fatigue and break, increasing the risk of a crash or rollaway. This issue can lead to the loss of power to the rear wheels. Ford is notifying owners to visit a dealer for the free-of-charge repair, which involves replacing the rear axle shafts and hub bolts.

 

[Redtruck]

Thanks for the feedback. This is what I was looking for to understand worst case scenario much appreciate your time.

I imagine that "dangerous to drive" language was the law department urging it just incase, and probably after some heated debate with marketing and other bean counters.

 

[Snakebitten]

Hey, I’m sure some would probably like to know, can you put up a part number and a manufacturer for the bolts you’re using?

Sure.
Here ya go.
Note that I added a belleville washer between the head of the bolt and the large OEM washer. I also tightened to what I believe is a lower torque value than Ford recommends for the OEM bolt. (I use ~84 ftlbs for 10.9 hardness 12x1.75 bolt dry thread)

 

[MotoGary]

As for ever purchasing a used truck with this defect, hell no…would you?

Yes, I would...and I did. Luckily, I got into my Ford dealer quickly and had the axle replaced under warranty. I'm not sure why some are able to get it done quickly and others not. But even if I hadn't had it replaced, I wouldn't have worried about it much based on everything I read.

If you're that concerned about the potential risk and it stresses you out to drive it, the answer is really easy; Sell it! Nobody has to live with your truck but you. Life is too short to drive a vehicle you don't like or can't trust.

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