Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator Axle Pinion Fracture

NHTSA campaign 23V128000 · Reported Feb 24, 2023 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

A fractured pinion can cause a loss of four-wheel drive and cause the front wheels to lock up, which increases the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	23V128000
Reported to NHTSA	Feb 24, 2023
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Part affected	Power Train:axle Assembly
Vehicles covered	2 model/year combinations, model years 2023
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Some Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles have a front axle part called the pinion gear. This pinion may not have been heat-treated correctly. Because of this, the pinion could fracture while the vehicle is being driven. If the pinion fractures, the vehicle can lose four-wheel drive, and the front wheels may lock up as a result.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is included.
2. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
3. Dealers will replace the pinion gear set, or the full axle assembly if needed, free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 23V128000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (2)

2023 Ford Expedition
2023 Lincoln Navigator

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Lincoln — official Lincoln recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Ford Powertrain Recalls Involving Fluid Leaks and Wheel Detachment · all 56 Ford recalls in this area
Lincoln transmission and axle recalls involving rollaway and lost power · all 12 Lincoln recalls in this area

Other Ford Expedition recalls

Sep 22, 2026Ford Expedition and Super Duty Trucks: Headlight Failuremedium
Jun 24, 2026Ford, Lincoln SUVs: Transmission Park System May Failhigh
Jun 9, 2026Ford Expedition: Center Console May Have Sharp Edgesmedium
May 27, 2026Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator Seat Belt May Lockhigh
Mar 31, 2026Ford, Lincoln Windshield Wiper Arms May Breakmedium
Feb 20, 2026Ford and Lincoln Trailer Brake and Light Failurehigh

All 46 Expedition recalls

Official notice

Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
Safety risk: A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S07.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.