Recall 23V896 affects 112,965 2021-2023 Ford F-150 trucks for rear axle hub bolts that fatigue and break. Free repair once Ford opens it.
Ford is recalling 112,965 2021-2023 F-150 trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle because the rear axle hub bolt can fatigue and break. Damaged hub splines can cause rollaway in park without the parking brake applied or loss of drive power; the Ford dealer repair will be free once Ford opens it.
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 rear axle shaft assembly on 2021-2023 Ford F-150 trucks transfers engine power from the rear axle to the wheel. On trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and the 9.75-inch heavy duty axle, the hub splines and axle shaft splines fit together like matching teeth. That fit has to stay tight so torque moves cleanly to the wheel.
In affected trucks, the rear axle hub bolt can loosen and fatigue. Small movement between the hub splines and axle shaft splines creates fretting, which means the metal surfaces rub, shed tiny particles, and wear. Those particles can corrode and expand, which speeds up the wear. Over time, the hub splines can strip and the hub bolt can break.
Owners can notice a clicking noise as the rear axle hub bolt gets loose. If the bolt breaks, a rattle noise can come from the wheel area because the broken bolt head is contained inside the wheel center cap.
Who's affected?
The scope centers on the right-side rear axle shaft assembly, so a matching pickup still needs a VIN match before service scheduling.
| 2023 Ford F-150 | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2022 Ford F-150 | drive axle |
| 2021 Ford F-150 | drive axle |
| Units affected | 112,965 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Damaged axle hub splines can let the truck roll away when it is in park without the parking brake applied, or cause a loss of drive power. Either condition increases crash risk. Treat clicking or rattling from the rear axle area as a reason to schedule service soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once Ford opens it.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2023 Ford F-150 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Ford or your Ford dealer to confirm the final rear axle shaft repair is open for your VIN before scheduling.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer about the free rear axle shaft replacement once the repair is open.
- Reference recall number 23V896 and Ford recall 23S65 when you call.
- Use the parking brake every time you park until the repair is complete, since damaged axle hub splines can lead to rollaway or loss of drive power.
What happens at the repair
Ford's final dealer repair is to replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies. Until Ford opens that repair for your VIN, do not treat it as ready to schedule. Once available, a Ford technician replaces both rear axle shaft assemblies, and parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ford uses its general reimbursement plan for owner-paid repairs before recall notice, with eligibility estimated to end on February 23, 2024. Bring documentation for any related repair you paid for before the notice.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 22, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 16, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| January 16, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 29, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 23, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 9, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V896?
Recall 23V896 covers 112,965 2021-2023 Ford F-150 trucks equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt can fatigue and break, damaging axle hub splines. Ford's dealer remedy is free once it opens.
What should I do if my 2021-2023 Ford F-150 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 23V896. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask about the rear axle shaft assembly replacement. Reference Ford recall number 23S65 when you call. The repair is free once the remedy opens.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford's remedy is to replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies free of charge at a franchised Ford dealer once the repair opens.
What is the safety risk?
Damaged axle hub splines can let the truck roll away when it is in park and the parking brake is not applied, or cause a loss of drive power. Both conditions increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, ask the Ford dealer what driving guidance applies before the repair.
When were Ford F-150 owners notified?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on May 9, 2025. A letter helps, but the VIN decides whether your specific F-150 is included. If you bought the truck used or never received mail from Ford, check your VIN and reference recall 23V896 with the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V896000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V896 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V896000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (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 →