Recall 15V789 affects 13 2016 Ford F-650 Sd trucks with an incorrect PRNDM steering column. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 13 2016 F-650 Sd trucks because they were built with the wrong PRNDM steering column for this transmission setup. If a driver parks on a hill and selects Park, the park pawl can fracture, the truck can unexpectedly move, and Ford dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2016 Ford F-650 Sd uses a steering column shift selector to tell the transmission which gear range the driver has selected. These trucks were supposed to have an RNDM column, with Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and Manual positions, not a PRNDM column with a Park position. In the correct setup, the column selects driving ranges but does not ask the transmission park pawl to hold the truck in place.
On affected trucks, the wrong PRNDM column gives the driver a Park position that the truck was not built to rely on. If the truck is parked on a hill and the selector is placed in Park, the park pawl inside the transmission can be overloaded. The park pawl is the small locking piece that holds the transmission from turning when Park is selected. If it fractures, the truck can move unintentionally.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is the incorrect column and the load it puts on the park pawl when Park is used on a grade.
Who's affected?
The scope is a single Ford truck model with two component areas: automatic transmission and steering column.
| 2016 Ford F-650 Sd | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ford F-650 Sd | steering column |
| Units affected | 13 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the park pawl fractures, the vehicle can move unexpectedly and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the repair soon and use the parking brake every time you park. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Ford F-650 Sd is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free steering-column replacement that removes the incorrect Park position and addresses park-pawl overload on hills.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it, and reference recall number 15V789 and Ford recall 15S35 when you call.
- Avoid parking on hills until the repair is complete, and set the parking brake before leaving the truck.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the incorrect PRNDM steering column with the correct RNDM steering column. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now. Ford excludes a separate reimbursement program because the original warranty program provides a free repair for this concern. If you already paid for related steering column work, ask the Ford service desk how the original warranty coverage applies to that prior repair.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 19, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| November 19, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 24, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| January 5, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 11, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V789?
Recall 15V789 covers 13 2016 Ford F-650 Sd trucks built with the wrong PRNDM steering column instead of the correct RNDM steering column. If the truck is parked on a hill in Park, the park pawl can fracture and the truck can move unexpectedly. Ford dealers replace the steering column for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Ford F-650 Sd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V789. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the steering column replacement. Reference recall number 15V789 and Ford recall number 15S35 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost, and Ford will replace the PRNDM steering column with the correct RNDM steering column free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected vehicle movement after parking. If the wrong steering column lets the truck sit in Park on a hill, the park pawl can overload and fracture, increasing crash risk. Ford fixes the defect by installing the correct RNDM steering column for free.
What if I bought my Ford F-650 Sd used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2016 Ford F-650 Sd is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 15V789.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V789000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V789 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V789000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →