Ford Recalls Super Duty Trucks For Shifter That Could Fall Off
Ford has issued a recall for 2025 Super Duty trucks because the steering column-mounted shifter could fall off. The recall affects 11,745 F-250, F-350, and F-450 models built between December 14, 2024, and February 5, 2025, at the company’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.
Key Points
- The recall affects 2025 F-250, F-350, and F-450 models built between December 14, 2024, and February 5, 2025, due to a potential shifter weld defect.
- Misaligned welds on the steering column shifter may cause it to detach, potentially preventing the vehicle from being shifted into park and increasing the risk of a rollaway.
- Ford is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the issue. Dealers will inspect and replace affected steering columns at no cost. Owner notifications begin April 27, 2025.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documents, certain steering column assemblies supplied by Nexteer may have been produced with misaligned welds—these key welds attach the shifter mechanism to the steering column. Because they're misaligned, the faulty welds don't properly secure the shifter mechanism to the column assembly.
Ford became aware of the issue after receiving two warranty claims in January and February of this year. In both cases, the vehicles were parked and unable to shift out of park after the shifter mechanism detached. The automaker traced the problem to a batch of steering columns produced on December 10, 2024. Of 36 suspect parts, 28 were installed in vehicles.
Ford says drivers may notice warning signs before the defect causes an issue. If the shifter detaches, the vehicle will display a message indicating it is not in park, and audible alerts will sound. For vehicles with a physical key, the key will be retained in the ignition, and the instrument cluster will remain active even after shutdown. If the shifter detaches while the vehicle is not in park, the driver won't be able to engage the transmission in park. In such cases, if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle could roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected parts include both manual and power-operated steering columns. Dealers have been instructed to inspect the serial numbers on suspect steering columns and replace any that fall within the affected range, free of charge. Owner notification letters will be mailed starting April 27, 2025.
This recall comes as Ford continues to grapple with longstanding quality concerns. Despite past commitments to prioritize quality, the automaker has been plagued by frequent recalls and warranty claims across multiple product lines. Earlier this week it was revealed that more than a million F-150s are under investigation by NHTSA for a rear-wheel lockup issue due to a fault in the transmission.
Despite quality setbacks, Ford’s Super Duty line remains a leader in the heavy-duty pickup segment with a maximum towing capacity of 40,000 pounds and up to 1,200 lb-ft of torque from the high-output Power Stroke diesel V8.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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