More Than 22,000 F-150 Trucks Recalled in Canada Over Axle Defect

A Ford F-150 pickup truck on the assembly line at a plant in Dearborn, Mich., on April 11, 2024. Rebecca Cook/Reuters

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 22,664 F-150 pickup trucks over issues with the rear axle hub bolts that can cause a loss of power to the wheels, increasing the risk of a collision.

The Canadian recall affects F-150 trucks manufactured in 2023, 2024, and 2025, that are equipped with the trailer tow max duty optional package.

A recall notice from Transport Canada indicated that on certain trucks, the rear axle hub bolts could break and cause the axle shaft splines to wear. If the shaft splines wear down, it can cause a loss of power to the wheels. This could also cause the truck to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Both of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash, according to the notice.

A similar recall notice issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation noted corrosion can cause more wearing to the point where the hub splines are stripped or worn out.

Customers may notice a clicking noise as the rear axle hub bolt becomes loose, the notice said. If the bolt breaks, it may cause a rattling noise and the bolt head will remain trapped in the wheel centre cap.

Transport Canada issued the recall on Aug. 15. It’s an expansion of an earlier recall from 2023 that included 20,664 trucks from 2021, 2022, and 2023.

The Ford recall also includes 103,174 U.S. vehicles, which is about one percent of the F-150 models, the U.S. notice said, adding the company was not aware of any injuries or accidents reported in connection with the issues.

The department said that a new axle shaft assembly design was introduced in May.

Ford will notify owners by mail and advise them to have the rear axle shafts replaced at a dealership, according to Transport Canada.

In May, Transport Canada issued a recall for 11,409 F-150 lightening trucks (EVs) after it was determined that the nuts for the ball joints connecting the front upper control arms to the steering knuckles may not have been correctly tightened.

The issue could result in the upper control arms separating from the knuckles, causing a loss of steering control and an increased risk of a crash, according to the notice.