2023 Ford F-150 Axle Recall (23V128)
Ford Motor Company · 240 vehicles · Reported February 24, 2023
Ford Motor Company is recalling 240 2023 Ford Expedition; 2023 Ford F-150; 2023 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture. 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. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V128 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V128000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 23S07 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 24, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2023 Ford Expedition; 2023 Ford F-150; 2023 Lincoln Navigator |
| Units affected | 240 |
| Component | Power Train > Axle Assembly |
| 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. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023 Ford F-150 in recall 23V128?
The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2023 F-150 with recall 23V128?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: 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.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: 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.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your F-150 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the axle assembly, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V128?
Recall 23V128 covers 240 vehicles: 2023 Ford Expedition; 2023 Ford F-150; 2023 Lincoln Navigator.
NHTSA lists 240 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ford | Expedition |
| 2023 | Ford | F-150 |
| 2023 | Lincoln | Navigator |
What is the fix for the F-150 axle recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set.
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.
When was recall 23V128 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 23V128 to NHTSA on February 24, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 21, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 24, 2023 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V128000. |
| April 21, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 43 months ago. If your F-150 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my F-150 is part of recall 23V128?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V128 is open on your F-150, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2023 F-150 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should F-150 owners do about recall 23V128?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V128000 applies to your F-150.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any axle assembly symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are F-150 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 479 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 162 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 23V128 was reported on February 24, 2023, owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 19 of them (12%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after February 24, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 479 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 162 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Ford F-150: 408 complaints in total, 151 about the transmission
- 2023 Ford Expedition: 64 complaints in total, 11 about the transmission
- 2023 Lincoln Navigator: 7 complaints in total, 0 about the transmission
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
My F-150 has been a nightmare since I purchased it in April. Ford dealers are unwilling to even look into my complaints. It has now got to the point where I cant drive the vehicle on the interstate because it is too unstable at those speeds.
2023 Ford F-150 owner, SC, NHTSA complaint 11639246, filed January 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power and independently shifted into park(P). Several unknown warning lights were illuminated.
2023 Ford F-150 owner, IA, NHTSA complaint 11645939, filed March 3, 2025
The contact son owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while her son was hauling a boat and driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, the transmission downshifted hard, and the vehicle jolted forward. The vehicle was taken residence.
2023 Ford F-150 owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11653235, filed April 7, 2025
Can recall 23V128 make my F-150 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
A transmission defect affects the core job of the 2023 Ford F-150: moving reliably. Owners often see the same symptom return after a repair, and those repeat visits are the kind of history California's lemon law looks at.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your F-150 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Ford F-150 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V128
Did the recall 23V128 fix work?
Since recall 23V128 was reported on February 24, 2023, owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 19 of them (12%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed April 21, 2023.
Is the 23V128000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my F-150 is part of recall 23V128000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V128000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford, Lincoln. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.