Ford Truck Recall Issued Due To Rear Axle Failures, Rollaway Risk

Ford Motor Company is recalling nearly 30,000 trucks that may unintentionally move, even when the vehicle is parked, posing a rollaway and crash hazard.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Ford truck recall on October 4, indicating that an improperly manufactured rear axle shaft may fail prematurely and unexpectedly, allowing the vehicle to move when in the Park position.

While Ford has not reported any injuries or accidents linked to the problems, rollaway risks associated with other vehicles have been linked to reports of serious injuries and fatalities among individuals attempting to get out of a vehicle they believe is parked, as well as bystanders.

According to the recall, the electronically locking rear axle assembly was built with a side axle shaft manufactured with steel that does not meet Ford’s specifications.

Ford first learned of the issue in August 2019, when a supplier notified the manufacturer of a premature passenger side axle shaft failure during production verification testing. Further evaluation determined the parts supplier produced a batch of axles with the incorrect type of steel, which is not sufficient to meet Ford torsional strength and hardness specifications.

As a result, Ford determined the axle shafts could fail to live up to their life expectancy and fracture prematurely without warning or notice to the driver, and increase the risk of a crash, or roll away hazard.

In the event of the side rear axle shaft breaking, drivers could experience a loss of motive power while driving in two wheel drive and the inability to hold the vehicle in place when the gear shifter is placed in the Park position.

The recalled vehicles include approximately 28,579 model year Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks manufactured between May 21, 20919 and July 26, 2019. They were distributed for sale throughout the U.S. to licensed dealers.

Until the recall remedy can be applied, customers are being asked to apply the parking brake when the vehicle is parked and turned off, to prevent a roll away hazard.

Ford Motor Company announced it will begin notifying owners of the recall and will provide instructions on how to schedule a repair appointment at their local dealer, who will be instructed to inspect the passenger side rear axle shaft and replace as necessary, free of charge. Parts for the recall repairs are anticipated to become available on October 21.

Customers with additional questions or concerns should contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and reference the recall campaign number 19S31.