2023 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems
- 32owner reports
- 35,991median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 8, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
156 of the 408 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 32 of those describe drivetrain problems. Only brake wear is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Drivetrain problems on other F-150 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Drivetrain reports describe the parts between the transmission and the wheels. Owners hear a clunk or bang from underneath, feel a vibration that rises and falls with speed, find fluid leaking under the differential, or get a 4WD or AWD warning. Some say it only happens turning or at low speed. A smaller group describes a driveshaft or axle that let go.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the CV joint or axle (28 reports) and the differential (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2023 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
All 13 recalls on the 2023 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the F-150
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Open, led to recall 26V-237.
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Closed jan 30, 2026.
Unintended transmission downshift. Closed jul 29, 2024, led to recall 24V-444.
Unexpected transmission downshift. Closed oct 22, 2019, led to recall 19V-075.
Automatic transmission control. Closed aug 27, 1998, led to recall 97V-147.
Failure transmission park engagement/loc. Closed sep 16, 1997, led to recall 97V-147.
Transmission fluid fires. Closed jul 5, 1991.
None of these investigations covers the 2023 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 19,000 and 50,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2023 Ford F-150 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some vehicles in the Model section above may exhibit an intermittent grinding/hum/rumble noise from the front wheel area while in 2WD that goes away when the vehicle is put into 4WD.
Some 2021-2025 F-150 non-Raptor vehicles equipped with an ESOF transfer case (minor feature code FMLAS) may exhibit an intermittent grinding/hum/rumble noise from the front wheel area while in 2WD that goes away when the vehicle is put into 4WD.
Some 2021-2024 F-150 non-Raptor vehicles equipped with 4WD and ESOF transfer case (minor feature code FMLAS) may exhibit an intermittent grinding/hum/rumble noise from the front wheel area while in 2WD that goes away when the vehicle is put into 4WD.
What owners wrote
“Vehicle has open unrepaired safety recall 25S82 / NHTSA 25V512 for rear axle hub bolt failure. Contacted [XXX] Ford in Fort Myers FL on two separate occasions. Both times told parts are unavailable and I would be placed on a callback list. No callback has been received. Recall remains unrepaired. VIN [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
Filed Mar 14, 2026
“Passenger side rear axle bolt broken. Ford has issued a recall on earlier vehicles, but they still have not created a permanent fix and it is happening to the 2023 models as well”
Filed Dec 6, 2024
“Front differential is bad. First broke it clanked and was banging. Now its a growl/grind under acceleration and deceleration.”
Filed Sep 3, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 32 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 48 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 31 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 26 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 26 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 25 reports