Ford’s recall story doesn’t seem to end. In 2025 alone, Ford issued 96 recalls, making it the automaker with the most recalls in a single year. This time, there is a serious safety concern involving more than 103,000 F-150 pickup trucks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these F-150 trucks have faulty axle hub bolts that could either cause the vehicle to roll away when the parking brake is not applied or cause a loss of power while driving.
Both of these conditions significantly raise the risk of a crash. While there haven’t been any reports of accidents or injuries, the problem has triggered an immediate call to action for owners of the affected vehicles.
Ford has asked the owners to immediately take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the rear axle shaft assemblies replaced free of charge. Here’s what you need to know about the Ford F-150 recall report.
What is an Axle Hub Bolt?
An axle hub bolt is a high-strength bolt that connects a vehicle’s wheels to the drivetrain and supports its weight. It is specifically designed to secure the wheel to the hub unit bearing, ensuring a robust connection capable of handling significant torsional forces.
The structure of an axle hub bolt generally features a knurled key file and a threaded section, often with a hex head. These bolts are made from high-strength materials, with grades like 10.9 for mini cars and 12.9 for medium- and large-sized vehicles.
What are the Affected Ford Models in the Recall?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 103,000 Ford F-150 pickup trucks produced between January 2, 2023, and May 21, 2025, are being recalled due to an issue with the vehicles’ axle hub bolts.
More than two years ago, the automaker recalled over 100,000 F-150 pickup trucks over a similar issue.
What is the Reason Behind the Recall?
As discussed above, Ford Motor Company issued a recall for F-150 trucks over an issue with the axle hub bolts that could either cause the vehicle to roll away when the parking brake is not applied or cause a loss of power while driving.
NHTSA claimed in the recall notice that both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Are There Any Reports of Accidents or Injuries?
Fortunately, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries due to faulty axle hub bolts yet. While speaking to CBS, a Ford spokesperson stated that the company is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.
What Could be the Possible Reasons for Faulty Axle Hub Bolts?
One of the most common reasons is fretting wear between the hub and axle splines, which leads to displaced particles, corrosion, and accelerated wear. This wear can cause the rear axle bolt to break.
It could even damage the axle hub splines and compromise torque transfer to the wheel end. However, there are other possible reasons for the issue, such as under-torqued lug nuts, but they are generally considered separate problems.
Signs of Faulty Axle Hub Bolts
According to the NHTSA report, one of the most common signs of a faulty axle hub bolt is a clicking noise. The clicking noise mainly occurs when the hub bolt starts to loosen.
You may also notice a rattling noise if the axle hub bolt breaks completely, the agency said.
Is it Safe to Drive a Vehicle with Faulty Axle Hub Bolts?
It is completely unsafe to drive a vehicle with faulty axle hub bolts. According to the regulatory agency, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which could damage the axle hub splines and ultimately compromise the safety of the vehicle.
A broken axle bolt can cause the vehicle to roll away when the parking brake is not applied or cause a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
How Will Ford Fix the Issue?
The only way to fix the issue is to replace the rear axle shaft assemblies completely. In the recall report, Ford has asked the affected F-150 owners to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the rear axle shaft assemblies replaced free of charge.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will notify the owners by mail between Aug 18 and May 22, 2026.
Wrapping Up
This recall is another reminder that even the most popular and best-selling trucks are not immune to safety flaws.
While the automaker has taken immediate action to resolve the issue, an increasing number of recalls shows a bigger picture, where vehicle reliability and brand trust are constantly being tested.
If you own a F-150 pickup truck that is affected in this recall, you should immediately take your vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to fix the faulty axle hub bolts, as it’s a must for your safety and everyone on the road.
If you find this article helpful, check out the previous Escape and Bronco Sport recall report for risk of underhood fires in EcoBoost engines.
Sources: CBS News
