Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator front axle gear may break

NHTSA campaign 23V128000 · Reported 2023-02-24 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

Front wheels locking up while you are moving can cause a crash, so this is serious; the notice does not tell owners to stop driving, but schedule the free repair promptly.

What's wrong, in plain English

A gear inside the front axle may have skipped a hardening step at the factory, which leaves it weaker than it should be. That gear can snap. If it does, you lose four-wheel drive, and the front wheels may lock up, which could make you lose control. A dealer will replace the front axle gear set, or the whole axle if the part has already broken. The same recall also covers certain 2023 F-150 trucks.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle falls under recall 23V128000 (Ford 23S07).
2. Call your Ford or Lincoln dealer, or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332, for an appointment.
3. Have the front axle pinion gear set — or the full axle, if it is already broken — replaced at no cost.

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 transmission, driveshaft and wheel recalls: which ones are urgent? · all 55 Ford recalls in this area
Lincoln transmission and axle recalls: rollaways and lost drive power · all 12 Lincoln recalls in this area

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.