Federal officials have announced that Ford (F) is recalling around 113,000 of its F-150 pickup trucks because of a faulty rear axle hub bolt.

The manufacturer is conducting a recall on 112,965 F-150 models manufactured between 2021 and 2023 that have a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design and the Trailer Tow Max Duty package.

Ford’s top-selling F-150

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration states that the rear axle hub bolt may become fatigued and break, causing damage to the axle hub splines.

According to the NHTSA, damaged axle hub splines can cause a vehicle to roll away when in park without the parking brake engaged or lose driving power. A crash’s likelihood can be raised by either of these circumstances.

Ford stated that a repair for the faulty component was “currently under development,” but owners of F-150s who hear a clicking or rattling noise can also bring the car to a dealership for a temporary solution.

Owner notification letters should be mailed by January 24.

Over 870,000 F-150 pickup trucks were recalled by Ford in July due to the possibility of the electric parking brakes activating suddenly.

Ford’s director of U.S. sales, Robert Kaffl, announced this month that the company sold over 700,000 F-Series trucks in 2023, making it the best-selling truck in the country for 47 years running. It also continued to be the best-selling car for 42 years running.

Kaffl stated that Ford’s “unwavering focus on growth across gas, hybrid, and electric models in 2024 reflects our promise to offer a truck for every customer – one that fits seamlessly into their lifestyle.”

Ford to stop producing its electrified F-150 in 2024

“If change is the only thing that’s constant in life, then it’s comforting to know that over half of Americans have grown up knowing only that the Ford F-Series is America’s best-selling car,” stated Mike Levine, director of Ford North America product communications, to the Detroit Free Press. “From the Bee Gees to Taylor Swift and the Apple II to Apple iPhone.”

Ford hailed the 2022 release of its electrified F-150 Lightning pickup as “a milestone moment in America’s shift to electric vehicles.”

However, given the slowing demand for EVs and the continued high cost of both electricity and borrowing, Ford announced in December that it would likely cut its projected output of its all-electric pickup in half this year.
At the time, a representative for the firm stated that the automaker will keep “matching production with customer demand.”

The business also announced that it was delaying planned expenditures in electric vehicles (EVs) totaling about $12 billion, including the building of a new battery plant.