NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Ford Super Duty F-250 and F-350 recall: The right rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during

Recall published 11 months ago

The right rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break.

The hazard: Steering or suspension defect

A steering component may separate on these vehicles. That is why the notice reads as urgent even though most affected cars will never show a symptom.

What the notice says: A broken rear axle shaft can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Why it matters: A steering or suspension component may separate, loosen or fail. The result is a partial or total loss of steering control, typically without warning and often at speed.

Recall details

Recall number
25V866000
Published
December 12, 2025
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Ford
Product type
Power Train
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Ford F-350 SD
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 25V866000

Products covered by this recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Super Duty F-250 and F-350 vehicles. The right rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 2 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • Super Duty F-250
  • F-350

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Steering

Ford — A steering component may separate on these vehicles. That is why the notice reads as urgent even though most affected cars will never show a symptom.

  1. Have this looked at soon. If the steering has felt loose, vague or noisy, stop driving the vehicle and call the dealer rather than driving it in.
  2. Describe any clunking, wandering, uneven tyre wear or a steering wheel that is no longer centred — these point to a component that has already started to move.
  3. Do not have an independent shop "tighten it up" in the meantime; the recall repair usually involves a redesigned part, not a torque adjustment.
  4. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.

What the recall repair costs you

Nothing, and that is a legal obligation rather than a goodwill gesture. The question worth asking is what else is covered.

  • Recall work is free for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, no age limit for the current owner, and no requirement that you bought the car from that dealer.
  • Keep receipts for towing, storage or a rental you arranged yourself — reimbursement for these is common where the vehicle was undrivable.
  • If you already paid an independent garage for the same fix, submit the invoice to the manufacturer under their reimbursement plan.
  • Get the closed campaign noted on your service record. Buyers and insurers both check.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will inspect the right rear axle shaft date code and replace the axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.

Company contact: Ford Motor Company

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Ford power train recalled?

The right rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break. A broken rear axle shaft can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Have this looked at soon. If the steering has felt loose, vague or noisy, stop driving the vehicle and call the dealer rather than driving it in.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will inspect the right rear axle shaft date code and replace the axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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