Another Ford safety recall, this time for 184,698 F-150 trucks for both 2021 and 2022. The problem is the driveshaft could fracture under torque. Heat and noise insulators located under F-150 trucks can loosen from vibrations. This causes them to come into contact with the driveshaft, which is made from aluminum.

2021 and 2022 F-150 aluminum driveshafts can shatter

The contact can cause the driveshafts to shatter. Obviously, without the driveshaft transferring power from the engine to the rear end can cause a loss of control. This could result in the risk of crashing. But there could be other problems besides the loss of power.

If the driveshaft drags on the ground from the front it can act as a catapult if it digs into the pavement. If it breaks from the rear it can slide out of the transmission tailshaft and cause control problems as the rear tires could roll over it. 

The underbody insulators need to be secured, which the dealers will do. They will also inspect the driveshaft for any damage. If damage is detected, it will replace them. 

Will F-150 owners be notified?

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the recall, according to its chronology report to the NHTSA. Truck owners will be notified sometime in February. Dealers have already been apprised of the recall. So far Ford has gotten 27 reports of fractured driveshafts, which appear to have been involved in underbody contact. Ford began investigating the incidents of fractured driveshafts this summer. 

In 2021 there have been five other recalls issued for the F-150 truck. In February, the NHTSA issued a recall for windshields not properly bonded to the trucks. Incidents of windshield detaching in a crash were determined to be the problem. 

Ford’s first F-150 driveshaft recall in 2021 happened in May

The first F-150 driveshaft recall was issued in May. On two-piece driveshafts, they may become separated due to improper assembly. The truck could also roll forward or back if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied. 

Steering difficulty from steering gear damage resulted in a safety recall also in May. problems with steering the F-150 to inability to turn the steering wheel at all were some potential concerns. 

Leaking brake fluid from brake boosters was the cause for the next recall in July. Fluid could leak into the electronic brake control unit, which could reduce braking ability. Owners were notified at the end of July.

A seatbelt recall was issued in August

The F-150 Super Cab was involved in a seatbelt recall in August. Some seatbelts were misrouted, which might not allow the passenger to be restrained in a crash. Owners were advised to test the passenger belts first. If it failed inspection, the owner was instructed to bring it to a dealer for a replacement.

Side window airbags are the most recent recall, which was issued in October. Impact sensor modules may have been damaged during assembly. The result is the side airbags may not deploy in a crash. 

Let’s hope that 2022 finds the automakers with no recalls for the year.