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

[tidefan1967]

I made my appointment today for 6/17. Hoping they don’t give me grief for rear blocks removed and my Steeda rear sway bar. I also asked them to check that clunky shifting 10R80.

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[slo2sixty]

Got mine done Monday. Was at the dealer for 3 hrs total. Not too bad. Mine was squealing bad when I bought it 3 weeks ago but didn't on my test drive of course only when I picked it up. But here's the new axle. Looks solid!

 

[MtnBiker2341]

Called the dealer and my '23 Lariat Max Tow is not covered by the recall according to the Service Dept. No letter either. Bummer. Manufacture date is 01/2023. Possible that the recall is being done in phases?

 

[Snakebitten]

Called the dealer and my '23 Lariat Max Tow is not covered by the recall according to the Service Dept. No letter either. Bummer. Manufacture date is 01/2023. Possible that the recall is being done in phases?

I can almost guarantee you that if you actually shear a bolt, you will be getting the recall axles. So in theory, you need a new axle about as much as my April 2022 truck does.

 

[crmzncamp]

Just Had mine completed at the dealer with the new part numbers listed in this thread. All seems well.

Dealer even picked the truck up and delivered it back to me.

 

[Snooker_ML]

16,000 miles, 2023 PB MaxTow, built 11/2022, only used for RV towing...

I posted a question in
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/grease-flying-out-of-right-rear-axle-hub.37753/
...without tainting the answers in this PB axle thread... ... and the general consensus was I had grease/oil flying out due to an axle seal failure.
But nope I have a sheared bolt the dealer says, (the bolt dropped out when they pulled the right wheel) and my replacement axles will be in next week. At least I'll be sure I get the real fix (-K and -L nutted half axles)...

My concern is this happened sometime returning on a 2000 mile trip portion, while pulling a 7000# trailer, and the dealer says the diff oil is what has slung all over my wheelwell and even the fender sides (perhaps while on a rainy road?). And I have not seen any other pics of people talking about oil showing up everywhere. So, Is this rare, and if so it feels like extreme case, towing with low (or very low) gear oil? Could there be more damage in the diff (or where did the oil come from? is gear oil and diff oil one and the same or ??) and...

How can the diff or any other parts (diff gears, seals, whatever) be examined by the dealer to know nothing else got damaged? I mean, could I have towed a trailer and be damaging another part of the rear axle while running 68mph on low oil?

Any advice is welcome.

 

[Buyer2021]

Any advice is welcome.

Things perhaps worth noting ...

• The fluid only lubricates the differential gears & bearings within the pumpkin
• The seal (and bearings) at the outboard end of the axle will be replaced with the new axle assembly (it's part of the included hub)

Personally, I'd be curious to know if the fluid loss was really very much at all (I suspect not, a little fluid can make a big mess). The proper level is 6mm below the fill plug (see attached). How much lower than that is it now? I'd not worry if it's still relatively close to that (judgement call); as long as it's still enough to splash / lubricate I'd not worry too much.

More of a question is fluid contamination of brake pads - but that should be obvious if it occurred. Pads aren't normally covered under warranty but hopefully if contaminated as a consequence of the warranted axle bolt failure they'll be replaced if contaminated.

Good luck!

 

[Snooker_ML]

Thanks for that info! Have many failures been reported that also had diff fluid leaking out and spraying around, as I have had? It doesn't seem like it but I don't follow this closely.

 

[Buyer2021]

Have many failures been reported that also had diff fluid leaking out and spraying around, as I have had?

Not that I recall, and I have been following the bolt-break threads closely.

 

[crazywayne311]

well I guess I need to call Ford back. I just had both replaced on 3/28/25 with the part numbers in the pic…then got a letter like the rest of you last week.

 

[rtf150]

well I guess I need to call Ford back. I just had both replaced on 3/28/25 with the part numbers in the pic…then got a letter like the rest of you last week.

I’m in the same situation. Found the broken bolt and had the axles replaced first week of April. The parts Ford sent were not the current recall parts…however the recall that was tied to my FordPass account was removed. As in it seems Ford may consider this resolved. 6 weeks later I get the letter…so maybe I’m good. Currently not having an issue so I’m not trying to jump on new parts for someone that may really need them. I figure I’ll ask about it when I go for the next oil change.

 

[Heckler]

Would a 2025 max tow axle have this issue as well?

 

[SilverPigeon]

Would a 2025 max tow axle have this issue as well?

Pop off a wheel cap and see. If you have a nut on the axle, then no. If you have a bolt, maybe but probably not.

 

[redline]

Would a 2025 max tow axle have this issue as well?

as I am waiting for my 2025 I had the same thought , my 2022 just got the axles replaced the other day…
Unless someone can produce the part numbers that says differently these new parts have been available for a month or so , maybe longer for new trucks… I guess if they break, we have warranty to deal with the issue.

but I never had a issue with my 2022 and I tow and have tons of weight in my truck all the time.

 

[Snooker_ML]

Things perhaps worth noting ...

• The fluid only lubricates the differential gears & bearings within the pumpkin
• The seal (and bearings) at the outboard end of the axle will be replaced with the new axle assembly (it's part of the included hub)

Personally, I'd be curious to know if the fluid loss was really very much at all (I suspect not, a little fluid can make a big mess). The proper level is 6mm below the fill plug (see attached). How much lower than that is it now? I'd not worry if it's still relatively close to that (judgement call); as long as it's still enough to splash / lubricate I'd not worry too much.

More of a question is fluid contamination of brake pads - but that should be obvious if it occurred. Pads aren't normally covered under warranty but hopefully if contaminated as a consequence of the warranted axle bolt failure they'll be replaced if contaminated.

Good luck!

Got the new -K and -L nutted axles installed and when the dealer first took off the axles I went up there and had them check the diff fluid level, he put his finger in and was able to touch it with the first fingertip joint, so not too low. It had an axle seal destroyed which leaked out the fluid. We looked at the teeth on the gear on the old axle and it didn't seem to show any of that rust-ish color indicative of fretting or micro motion wear, but what do I know really...
Also I pushed about new brake pads but they swore they only needed some cleaning up...

I must say that I never heard a busted bolt rattling in the hubcap, I may have driven it as much as 3000 miles after the fluid started leaking, all on a road trip while towing a 7000# trailer. I feel lucky nothing bad happened, and it seems like a good design change.

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