Recall 18V470 affects 162 2018 Ford F53 stripped chassis vehicles for improperly heat-treated front wheel studs. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 162 2018 F53 stripped chassis vehicles equipped with 22.5-inch front wheels because improperly heat-treated wheel studs can break at the front wheel hub. If enough studs break on one hub, handling can be affected and crash risk rises; Ford dealers will replace the front wheel hub assemblies free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The front wheel hub assembly on the 2018 Ford F53 carries the front wheel and gives the wheel studs a fixed mounting point. Those studs are the threaded posts that pass through the wheel and hold it tight when the lug nuts are torqued. On F53 stripped chassis vehicles with 22.5 inch front wheels, the hub and studs carry the clamping force that keeps the front wheel seated.
On the recalled vehicles, the front wheel hub assembly was built with wheel studs that were not heat treated. Heat treatment gives the metal the strength Ford specified for that job. A supplier batch of untreated studs was mixed with treated studs, and supplier inspection did not catch the issue before the studs were installed in hub assemblies.
There is no warning sign before failure. Ford identified the issue through supplier records, not from an owner symptom that appears before the stud fails.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Ford F53 | wheel hardware |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 162 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Ford F53 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Broken wheel studs on one hub can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the repair soon and avoid ignoring unusual wheel noise, vibration, or handling changes. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ford F53 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free wheel-stud replacement that fixes suspect front wheel hub studs.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V470 and Ford recall 18S21 when you call.
- Limit driving until the repair is complete, since broken front wheel studs can affect vehicle handling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces any suspect front wheel hub studs covered by the recall. The parts and labor are free. The original warranty program covers this concern, so Ford is not providing a separate reimbursement program for costs tied to this recall. If you already have paperwork for a related front wheel hub stud repair, ask the service desk how the existing warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| July 16, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 17, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 17, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 20, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 20, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V470?
Recall 18V470 covers 162 2018 Ford F53 stripped chassis vehicles equipped with 22.5 inch front wheels. The front wheel hub studs were not properly heat treated, and broken studs on one hub can affect handling and increase crash risk. Ford dealers replace suspect front wheel hub studs for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Ford F53 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific 2018 Ford F53 is included in recall 18V470. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule replacement of the suspect front wheel hub studs. Reference Ford recall number 18S21 or NHTSA campaign 18V470 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Ford to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will replace any suspect front wheel hub studs free of charge. Use a franchised Ford dealer for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of predictable handling if enough wheel studs break on one front hub. That handling change increases crash risk. Ford has not issued a do-not-drive order for this recall, but a confirmed affected vehicle needs the free dealer repair.
When did the Ford F53 recall repair begin?
Ford began the recall repair on August 20, 2018. The remedy is available now, so an included 2018 Ford F53 can be scheduled with a franchised Ford dealer for replacement of the suspect front wheel hub studs.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V470000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V470 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V470000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →