On the Dash:
- Ford is recalling 115,539 Super Duty pickups from 2020-2021 due to a steering column defect.
- The upper shaft of the steering column may detach, creating a risk of losing steering control.
- Dealers will inspect and replace or modify affected parts, with owner notifications starting in October.
Ford is recalling 115,539 Super Duty pickups in the U.S. due to a defect that can cause the upper shaft of the steering column to detach, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday. The defect can lead to the loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall covers several Super Duty pickups, including the F-250, F-350 and F-450 from model years 2020 and 2021. Currently, Ford estimates only 1% of the recalled vehicles will be impacted and is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the recall.
The nature of the defect is caused by a weakness in the upper shaft of the steering column, specifically the hard slide. This part is supposed to stay securely connected and prevent the shaft from coming apart under everyday driving or crash forces. In this case, it does not meet the required safety standards, which means the steering shaft could separate when force is applied, potentially leading to a loss of steering control.
Dealers will inspect the steering column upper shaft for signs of wear or damage, specifically for any evidence of extension. The defective parts will be replaced, and parts that pass the inspection will be modified to improve the pull-apart retention as a precautionary measure.
Interim owner notification letters will be mailed between Oct. 6 and Oct. 10, and a follow-up remedy notification will be sent in December.
The NHTSA recall number is 25V626.
