Recall 23V847 affects 17,970 2023 Ford F-150 and SD trucks for a clock-spring defect. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 17,970 2023 F-150, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, F-550 Sd, and F-600 Sd vehicles because the steering wheel clock spring can lose the electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag. If that air bag is deactivated, it will not deploy in a crash, increasing injury risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The clock spring sits inside the Steering Column Control Module in 2023 Ford F-150, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, F-550 Sd, and F-600 Sd trucks. It is a wound electrical connection that lets the steering wheel turn while signals still pass between the wheel, the horn, steering-wheel switches, and the driver's frontal air bag.
Inside the clock spring, bus bars connect to a ribbon cable that carries those signals. Ford traced this recall to a sub-supplier process where bus bars were washed in isopropyl alcohol contaminated with glycerin. That contamination can leave the weld between the bus bar and ribbon cable too weak. If the weld opens, the driver's frontal air bag can lose its electrical connection.
Owners can notice the problem before the air bag connection is lost. Warning signs include steering-wheel switch lights or controls not working, radio controls on the wheel going dead, an inoperative horn, or an airbag warning lamp.
Who's affected?
Covers 6 Ford truck lines in the 2023 model year, all tied to the steering column control module and driver clock spring.
| 2023 Ford F-250 Sd | steering column |
|---|---|
| 2023 Ford F-250 Sd | front air bag |
| 2023 Ford F-450 Sd | front air bag |
| 2023 Ford F-450 Sd | steering column |
| 2023 Ford F-550 Sd | front air bag |
| 2023 Ford F-550 Sd | steering column |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | front air bag |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | steering column |
| 2023 Ford F-600 Sd | front air bag |
| 2023 Ford F-600 Sd | steering column |
| 2023 Ford F-350 Sd | front air bag |
| 2023 Ford F-350 Sd | steering column |
| Units affected | 17,970 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A deactivated air bag will not deploy in a crash, which increases the risk of injury. Warning signs include lost steering-wheel switch illumination or function, an inoperative horn, or an airbag warning lamp. Schedule the inspection soon and ask the dealer whether the truck is safe to keep driving. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 Ford F-250 Sd, F-450 Sd, F-550 Sd, F-150, F-600 Sd, or F-350 Sd is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free clock-spring inspection and replacement that restores the driver's frontal air bag electrical connection.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V847 when you call.
- Keep the appointment even if the truck feels normal, because a deactivated driver's frontal air bag will not deploy during a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the steering wheel clock spring and replaces it if the inspection shows replacement is needed. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under recall 23V847. Ford's general reimbursement plan covers eligible owner-paid clock spring repairs made before recall notification. Ask the service desk or Ford customer service how to submit repair documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 15, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 18, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| December 18, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 8, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 8, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 3, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V847?
Recall 23V847 covers 17,970 2023 Ford F-150, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, F-550 Sd, and F-600 Sd vehicles with a clock spring weld issue. If the electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag is lost, the air bag will not deploy during a crash.
What should I do if my 2023 Ford F-150, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, F-550 Sd, or F-600 Sd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Ford is included in recall 23V847. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the clock spring inspection. The dealer will replace the clock spring as necessary, and the recall repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford dealers will inspect and replace the clock spring as necessary free of charge. Reference recall number 23V847 when you call the dealer service desk.
Is it safe to drive with recall 23V847 open?
Ford has not issued a do-not-drive instruction for recall 23V847. The safety concern is still real: if the clock spring loses its electrical connection, the driver's frontal air bag will not deploy during a crash. Schedule the free dealer inspection as soon as you confirm your VIN is included.
When were owners notified about this Ford recall?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on May 3, 2024. If you bought the vehicle used or never received the letter, check your VIN instead of relying on mail history. The VIN decides whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V847000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V847 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V847000 |
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 →