Recall 15V279 affects 8,963 2015 Ford F-150 trucks for an improperly riveted steering shaft. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 8,963 2015 F-150 trucks under recall 15V279 because the steering upper intermediate shaft was improperly riveted on certain vehicles built in March 2015. If the shaft separates from the flex coupling, the driver can lose steering control, and Ford dealers will repair the truck free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steering upper intermediate shaft in a 2015 Ford F-150 is part of the column linkage between the steering wheel and the steering gear. Its job is to carry your steering input down through the column so the front wheels respond when you turn the wheel. A flex coupling in that shaft helps the linkage move without binding as the truck flexes and vibrates.
In the affected trucks, the upper intermediate shaft was built with rivets that were not set correctly. That bad rivet work can let the shaft's flex coupling separate. If the coupling separates, the steering wheel no longer stays connected to the steering gear the way it should, and the driver can lose steering control.
Ford's filing says the condition happens without warning. There is no warning sign before failure, so an included truck should be treated as affected until a Ford dealer checks the VIN and completes the recall repair.
Who's affected?
| 2015 Ford F-150 | steering system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 8,963 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2015 Ford F-150 pickup is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup is included.
What's the safety risk?
An improperly riveted intermediate shaft can separate from the steering flex coupling, causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk. The failure happens without warning, so schedule the inspection soon and avoid extra trips until the dealer checks the shaft. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Ford F-150 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free steering intermediate-shaft inspection and replacement if needed.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V279 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and stop driving if the steering feels loose or abnormal.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the steering upper intermediate shaft and replaces the shaft when the inspection shows it is needed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ford is not offering a separate reimbursement program because the original warranty program provided a free repair for this concern. If you have prior repair paperwork, ask the service desk how the original warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 12, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 12, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| May 12, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 20, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 22, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V279?
Recall 15V279 covers 8,963 2015 Ford F-150 trucks with a steering upper intermediate shaft that was improperly riveted. The shaft can separate from the flex coupling, causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk. Ford dealers will inspect the shaft and replace it for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2015 Ford F-150 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V279. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the steering shaft inspection. Reference recall number 15V279 or Ford recall number 15S17 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. Ford dealers will inspect the steering upper intermediate shaft and replace it, if needed, free of charge at a franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V279?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. Ford reported that an improperly riveted steering upper intermediate shaft can separate from the intermediate shaft flex coupling, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer inspection and repair.
What if I bought my 2015 Ford F-150 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific F-150 is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 15V279 or Ford recall number 15S17.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V279000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V279 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V279000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →