Ford Motor Company is recalling a small number of 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture. Mailing of owner notification letters is expected to begin March 20, 2023 and is expected to be completed by March 24, 2023, according to the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just made public.
The driver may hear a loud noise when the pinion breaks or as the drive shaft and flange hit the frame cross member and stability bar after pinion fracture. The failure mode could occur at any time in 4×4 application but is expected to occur primarily while in reverse as the pinion is subject to higher loads.
A Ford investigation discovered that the fractured pinions did not go through the required heat treatment or annealing process at Ford’s axle manufacturing plant to reduce hardness and brittleness of the pinion stem threads. In the filing Ford said, “a team was immediately dispatched to conduct eddy current hardness checks of all available stock at affected assembly plants.
“Testing of axle assemblies determined this condition is limited to pinions in 3.73:1 gear ratio axles. The CCRG investigative team reviewed plant process records to determine a build population of suspect dates to derive the population of axles with pinions that may have bypassed the heat treat process. As of February 13, 2023, Ford is not aware of any warranty, field reports or customer complaints related to this subject.”
Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 23S07. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. about 23V128.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Ford Axle Recalls on 2023 F-150, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator
Ford Motor Company is recalling a small number of 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture. Mailing of owner notification letters is expected to begin March 20, 2023 and is expected to be completed by March 24, 2023, according to the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just made public.
The driver may hear a loud noise when the pinion breaks or as the drive shaft and flange hit the frame cross member and stability bar after pinion fracture. The failure mode could occur at any time in 4×4 application but is expected to occur primarily while in reverse as the pinion is subject to higher loads.
A Ford investigation discovered that the fractured pinions did not go through the required heat treatment or annealing process at Ford’s axle manufacturing plant to reduce hardness and brittleness of the pinion stem threads. In the filing Ford said, “a team was immediately dispatched to conduct eddy current hardness checks of all available stock at affected assembly plants.
“Testing of axle assemblies determined this condition is limited to pinions in 3.73:1 gear ratio axles. The CCRG investigative team reviewed plant process records to determine a build population of suspect dates to derive the population of axles with pinions that may have bypassed the heat treat process. As of February 13, 2023, Ford is not aware of any warranty, field reports or customer complaints related to this subject.”
Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 23S07. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. about 23V128.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.