Ford F-150 Pickup Trucks Recalled Because Their Driveshaft May Fracture
Underbody insulators that may have been installed in error can cause damage
2021 Ford F-150
By Jon Linkov
Ford has announced the recall of more than 58,000 F-150 pickup trucks from the 2021 and 2022 model years because the driveshaft may be damaged by loose parts. Heat and noise insulation panels could come loose, which could fracture the aluminum driveshaft and cause the truck to lose power, or the driveshaft could come in contact with the ground and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. In addition, if the driver parks the F-150 without using the parking brake, the truck could roll away.
While this is similar to a prior recall for the F-150, 21V986, the documentation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Ford reveals that the pickup trucks in this recall were not designed to have the underbody panels installed.
The affected vehicles are 145-inch wheelbase Crew Cab 4x4 configurations with equipment packages XL and XLT 301A and below, and the Tremor 400A equipped with an aluminum driveshaft.
Drivers may see loose underbody insulator panels or hear a rattling, clicking, or clunking noise due to a loose underbody insulator that’s coming in contact with the driveshaft.
The automaker notes that it’s aware of four warranty reports for fractured driveshafts between November 2021 and June 2022. Ford says it’s not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: 58,203 Ford F-150 pickup trucks from the 2021 and 2022 model years.
The problem: Heat and noise insulators beneath the vehicle may loosen and come in contact with the aluminum driveshaft. This could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture. These parts were installed in error; the affected vehicles were not designed to have the insulating shields fitted.
The fix: Ford dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators. This will be done free of charge.
How to contact the manufacturer: Owners of affected vehicles can call Ford at 866-436-7332. The company will notify owners via mail starting Sept. 5, 2022.
NHTSA campaign number: 22V623. Ford’s number for the recall is 22S53.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, your vehicle doesn’t currently have one. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly.
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