NHTSA Complaint #11557408 — 2021 FORD F-150

On 11-28-2023 I took my truck in for an oil change and new tires. When the wheels were removed the passenger side rear axle bolt fell out. It had been sheared off and I don't know how long I had driven it like that. The last time the wheels were off was when I had an oil change and tire rotation at the same dealership in July 2023, they did not alert me to a problem at that time. The dealer said it was unsafe to drive and I should leave it there to await parts and service. My truck is a 2021 F-150 Ecoboost with the Max Tow Package. It has 54,520 miles on it. The dealer service department has not looked at it to determine if it is an eligible warranty repair or not at this time but it is scheduled to be inspected today. There were no warning lamps or messages given related to this problem at any time. My own research online indicates that hundreds of other 2021 and later F150 owners with the Max Tow Package have had the same problem of axle bolts breaking. No accidents or injuries have been reported that I know of but there has been lots of inconvenience because owners are told the trucks are unsafe to drive. The dealers are saying that the axles must be changed.