Ford Issues Major Recall for 2023–2025 F-150 Over Axle Bolt Failure

Ford recalls 103,174 F-150 trucks from 2023–2025 due to rear axle hub bolt defects that may cause loss of drive power or rollaway, NHTSA reports.

Yesterday, Ford announced a major recall of more than 103,000 F-150 pickup trucks from the 2023–2025 model years. The issue involves a rear axle hub bolt in vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy-duty axle with a 3/4 float design. According to NHTSA documents, the bolt may lack sufficient strength and could eventually break, damaging the hub splines and reducing the effectiveness of the parking brake. In certain cases, this could cause the vehicle to lose drive power or roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Early signs of the problem include a distinct clicking sound while driving, which can turn into a rattle once the bolt fails. The recall affects trucks built between January 2, 2023, and May 21, 2025, including 20,108 units from the 2025 model year, 38,144 from 2024, and 44,922 from 2023. Ford estimates that only about 1% of these vehicles have the defect.

Dealers are being notified this week, and owners will be able to receive free repairs starting August 18. The program will run until May 2026 due to the number of model years involved. Owners can check if their vehicle is affected by using the official VIN lookup tools provided by Ford or the NHTSA.

This is not the first time the F-150 has faced such an issue. Last year, a similar recall affected around 113,000 trucks from the 2021–2023 model years. The situation raises concerns about the durability of certain components in the F-150 lineup, especially as Ford recently unveiled plans for an affordable mid-size electric pickup in the coming years. While the new EV aims to broaden the brand’s portfolio, the current recall may temporarily shift the company’s focus toward resolving existing issues in its best-selling truck.