The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·23V847000·Announced 2023-12-15

Certain 2023 Ford F-series trucks recalled for steering column air bag failure

Ford is recalling approximately 17,970 certain 2023 F-150 and F-250-F-600 trucks because the steering column clock spring may become electrically disconnected, preventing the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall addresses a structural vehicle defect (steering column clock spring failure) affecting driver air bag deployment. While this presents a significant risk of injury in a crash, no injuries, deaths, or incidents have been reported in the source text. Per the severity rubric, risk-of-harm products without reported injuries are scored as High (3).

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 17,970 of its 2023 F-150 and F-250-F-600 trucks due to a defect in the steering column clock spring. This component controls electrical connections to the steering wheel assembly, including the driver's frontal air bag system. The clock spring weld may be insufficient, causing the electrical connection to the driver's air bag to fail and become deactivated.

When the air bag system loses electrical connection due to this weld defect, the driver's frontal air bag will not deploy during a crash. This creates a significant risk of injury to the driver in collision scenarios.

Ford dealers will inspect and replace the defective clock spring at no cost to owners. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) for additional information.

The recalled product

Product
FORD F-250 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, F-150
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag System
Hazard
Affected units
17,970

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (6)

  • F-250 SD
  • F-450 SD
  • F-550 SD
  • F-150
  • F-600 SD
  • F-350 SD

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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