Ford has announced a major safety recall impacting more than 115,500 Super Duty pickups in the U.S., citing a dangerous defect that could cause the steering column’s upper shaft to detach, leading to a sudden and total loss of steering control.
The recall specifically targets 2020–2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 models manufactured prior to February 2021, when the automaker introduced an additional safeguard to the part. Owners are urged to check their vehicles immediately, as this issue poses a serious risk to driver and passenger safety if left unaddressed.
Ford
The Defect and the Fix
The problem traces back to the design of the column’s upper shaft. Trucks built during the affected period used a single primary staking method to hold the shaft together, but Ford engineers later determined this wasn’t sufficient to meet safety pull-apart standards. Owners aren’t receiving dashboard warnings if failure occurs, making the defect especially concerning.
According to recall filings, Ford identified the issue in late June 2025 and escalated it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). No crashes or injuries have been reported so far. Dealers will inspect the steering shaft, reinforcing it if possible or replacing it entirely if it fails inspection. Repairs will be free of charge, and interim owner notification letters will begin arriving in early October.
Ford
Recalls Keep Piling Up
This recall is the latest in a string of quality headaches for Ford. Just days ago, the automaker recalled 102,000 cars after doors started falling apart, with trim pieces detaching unexpectedly. And earlier this month, CEO Jim Farley admitted that Ford is pouring resources into quality control and global branding efforts, part of its new worldwide campaign called “Ready Set Ford”, the company’s first in over a decade.
Despite setbacks, Ford is also leaning on strong EV momentum. The automaker rolled out new September incentives, including lease deals for the F-150 Lightning, hoping to boost adoption of its flagship electric truck while balancing mounting costs from recalls.
Ford
Why It Matters
For Super Duty owners, the steering defect is more than an inconvenience, these trucks are often used in heavy-duty work environments where sudden steering failure could have catastrophic consequences. For Ford, the recall underscores a larger problem: balancing its EV push, global marketing efforts, and cost-cutting strategies while still addressing lingering quality issues across its lineup.
As the company continues to spend heavily on electrification and branding, every recall adds pressure to prove that its vehicles, whether gas, hybrid, or electric, can meet the standards buyers expect from one of America’s most important automakers.
