Recall 23V163 affects 222,454 2021 Ford F-150 trucks for windshield wiper arms that can break. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 222,454 2021 F-150 trucks because the windshield wiper arms can break, leaving the wipers inoperative. Reduced visibility in certain conditions increases crash risk, and Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The windshield wiper arm on the 2021 Ford F-150 is the arm that holds the wiper blade against the glass. It pivots from a splined attachment point, a ridged connection that lets the wiper motor move the blade across the windshield without the arm slipping.
On affected trucks, supplier tooling wear left the spline teeth in the wiper arm too shallow. That weak grip can let the arm attachment strip, which means the motor moves but the arm no longer follows correctly. If the arm breaks or loses its hold, the windshield wiper fails.
Owners can notice erratic or slow wiping from the driver or passenger wiper arm before failure. That uneven movement is the warning sign that the arm is no longer staying locked to its attachment point.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Ford F-150 | wiper system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 222,454 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Inoperative windshield wipers reduce visibility in rain, snow, or road spray and increase the risk of a crash. Erratic or slow movement from either wiper arm is a warning sign. If that happens, avoid poor-weather driving and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Ford F-150 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free wiper-arm inspection and replacement that fixes the failure-prone windshield wipers.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V163 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete; use extra care in rain, snow, or other low-visibility conditions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the windshield wiper arms and replaces any arm that needs replacement. The parts and labor are covered by the recall. Ford's standard reimbursement plan applies to eligible out-of-pocket remedy costs paid before owner notification, with reimbursement eligibility ending September 13, 2023. If you already paid for a wiper arm repair tied to this issue, bring your repair order and payment documentation to the service desk or contact Ford customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 10, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 13, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| March 13, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 27, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 13, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V163?
Recall 23V163 covers 222,454 2021 Ford F-150 trucks with windshield wiper arms that can break and cause the wipers to stop working. Inoperative wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions and increase crash risk. Ford dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Ford F-150 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 23V163. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the wiper-arm inspection and replacement. Reference Ford recall number 23S10 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford will inspect and replace the affected wiper arms free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer.
Is it safe to drive my 2021 Ford F-150 before the wiper-arm repair?
This recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The risk is reduced visibility if the windshield wipers stop working in certain conditions. Check your VIN, schedule the free dealer repair, and avoid driving in weather that requires windshield wipers until the repair is complete.
When did Ford notify owners about recall 23V163?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on December 13, 2023. If you bought the truck used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN and reference recall 23V163 or Ford recall number 23S10 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V163000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V163 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V163000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →