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Ford is set to recall more than 112,000 F-150 pickup trucks from model years 2021-2023, as stated in a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) letter.

The recall affects trucks “equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design.” The NHTSA’s letter to Ford’s assistant director, Tom Single, highlights the issue of potentially fatiguing rear axle hub bolts, which could break and lead to damaged axle hub splines.

The letter elaborates on the risk posed by the defective components, explaining that “Damaged axle hub splines can result in a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, or cause a loss of drive power.” This malfunction significantly increases the likelihood of a crash. Owners of the affected models are advised to seek an interim repair at a dealer if they notice symptoms like a “clicking or rattling noise” indicative of rear axle bolt breakage. Ford plans to begin notifying owners of the recall with letters expected to be mailed by late January.

The recall announcement comes amid financial challenges for Ford, with the company’s Chief Financial Officer John Lawler reporting a $1.7 billion loss in profits due to a recent six-week United Auto Workers strike. Lawler attributed the significant loss to “interruptions in production of high-margin trucks and SUVs,” which led to a substantial sales decline.