Ford Recalls 200,000 2021, 2022 F-150s To Fix Driveshaft Problem

In the second recall of Ford F-150 pickups in the last six months, Ford has recalled about 200,000 F-150 SuperCab models, equipped with four-wheel-drive, because of problems with driveshaft insulation.

Ford has recalled nearly 200,000 2021 and 2022 F-150 pickups to repair issues with the driveshaft. The problem involves insulators that can loosen up and contact the driveshaft.

Ford Has Heard Of 27 Possible Failures

Over time, the insulators score the aluminum driveshaft to the point that it might fail. Ford says, according to Autoblog.com, that they have evidence of 27 driveshafts that may have failed due to the issue. The website notes that the problem is due to "inadequate adhesion" or, translating the corporate-speak, the glue used to hold the insulators in place didn't hold well. The issue is heat-related.

Driveshaft failure comes in two modes. The first is when the vehicle is moving, and when the driveshaft goes, the F-150 stops moving. In the second failure mode, the pickup is in Park, and it can start moving.

Ford, for its part, has heard of no accidents or injuries that this problem has caused.

The F-150s involved have a wheelbase of 145 inches. The SuperCrew models are equipped with four-wheel-drive and what Autoblog.com calls the 302A option level. Shorter models are not affected by this problem.

Two Ways To Determine Problems

You can tell if there is a problem with your vehicle in two ways. The first is simply looking under the pickup to see if insulators are hanging. Or, the second way is to slide under the pickup and take a close look at the driveshaft to see if there is plain evidence of scoring.

Ford will begin notifying affected owners at the end of next month when they send out letters spelling out the issue. Dealer technicians look at driveshafts to check for overall damage and ensure that the insulators are better installed if the damage is relatively minor. If there is apparent driveshaft damage, the dealer will replace it and related parts free.

The total number of F-150s involved is 184,698.

Second Driveshaft-Related Problem This Year

This is the second driveshaft-related recall this year. Last June, the automaker recalled 4,436 F-150s due to driveshaft separation. According to Torque News, the clip that holds the two-piece driveshaft together was improperly installed, causing the issue. My piece on the topic details the issues involved in the earlier recall.

Image Courtesy Ford Motor Co.

Marc Stern has been an automotive writer since 1971 when an otherwise normal news editor said, "You're our new car editor," and dumped about 27 pounds of auto stuff on my desk. I was in heaven as I have been a gearhead from my early days. As a teen, I spent the usual number of misspent hours hanging out at gas stations Shell and Texaco (a big thing in my youth) and working on cars. From there on, it was a straight line to my first column for the paper, "You Auto Know," an enterprise that I handled faithfully for 32 years. Not many people know that I also handled computer documentation for a good part of my living while writing YAN. My best writing, though, was always in cars. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, etc. You can follow me on: Twitter or Facebook.