2020-2021 Ford F-53 Motorhome Stripped Chassis & F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis Safety Recall 21S17 Inadequate Rear Axle Oil Fill Volume

March 24, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V202000

Inadequate Rear Axle Lubrication

Failure of the rear axle or driveshaft may cause the loss of motive power, failure of the parking brake, and the inability to shift the transmission into “PARK,” increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V202

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN

Potential Number of Units Affected 16,128

 

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-53 Motorhome Stripped Chassis and F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles. An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear wheel bearing damage and bearing seizure, and rear axle or driveshaft failure.

 

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the rear wheel bearings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 21S17.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your Vehicle has a Recall

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AFFECTED VEHICLES

 

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In some of the affected vehicles, the rear axle may contain an inadequate volume of lubricating oil.

An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may result in rear wheel bearing damage potentially leading to bearing seizure. Bearing seizure may lead to rear axle or driveshaft failure.

In the event of rear axle or driveshaft failure, customers may experience loss of vehicle motive power, loss of transmission park function, and loss of parking brake function, increasing the risk of a crash. Prior to wheel bearing seizure, customers may notice an odor, hear a metallic grinding or whining sound from the rear of the vehicle, or perceive vehicle drag.

 

SERVICE ACTION

Before demonstrating or delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to inspect and perform the actions listed below, depending on the vehicle mileage and part availability. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.

• If 5 miles or less are on the odometer, check and top off the rear axle fluid
  • Closes FSA
• If greater than 5 miles on the odometer and Ford parts are available, replace parts as directed o Closes FSA

 

CUSTOMER VEHICLES ONLY:

• If greater than 5 miles on the odometer and Ford parts are not available, inspect bearings for signs of wear or damage and replace with approved interim parts as required.
  • FSA remains open until Ford parts are available.

NOTE: Installation of alternative parts will be allowed as an interim repair to allow continued use of the vehicle.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION AND MAILING SCHEDULE

Owner letters are expected to be mailed the week of May 10, 2021. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.

 

SOLD VEHICLES

• Ford has not issued instructions to stop selling/delivering or driving used vehicles under this safety recall. Owners should contact their dealer for an appointment to have their vehicles remedied as soon as practicable. Owners can continue to safely drive their vehicle, unless they notice an odor, hear a metallic grinding or whining sounds from the rear of the vehicle, or perceive vehicle drag.
• Immediately contact any of your affected customers whose vehicles are not on your VIN list but are identified in OASIS. Give the customer a copy of the Owner Notification Letter (when available) and schedule a service date.
• Correct other affected vehicles identified in OASIS which are brought to your dealership.
• Dealers are to prioritize repairs of customer vehicles over repairs of new and used vehicle inventory.

 

STOCK VEHICLES

• Correct all affected units in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.
• Use OASIS to identify any affected vehicles in your used vehicle inventory.

 

DEALER-OPERATED RENTAL VEHICLES

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act law effective June 2016 prohibits a rental company from selling, renting or leasing vehicles subject to a safety or compliance recall. Please consult your legal counsel for legal advice.

 

TITLE BRANDED / SALVAGED VEHICLES

Affected title branded and salvaged vehicles are eligible for this recall.

 

OWNER REFUNDS

• This safety recall must still be performed, even if the owner has paid for a previous repair. Claiming a refund will not close the recall on the vehicle.

• Ford Motor Company is offering a refund for owner-paid repairs covered by this recall if the repair was performed prior to the date indicated in the reimbursement plan, which is posted with this bulletin. Owners are directed to seek reimbursement through authorized dealers or, at their option, directly through Ford Motor Company at P.O. Box 6251, Dearborn, MI 48121-6251.

• Dealers are also pre-approved to refund owner-paid emergency repairs that were performed away from an authorized servicing dealer after the end date specified in the reimbursement plan. Non-covered repairs, or those judged by Ford to be excessive, will not be reimbursed.

• Refunds will only be provided for the cost associated with repairs related to inadequate rear axle oil fill volume.

 

RENTAL VEHICLES

Dealers are pre-approved for up to 2 days for a rental vehicle for personal transportation. Follow Extended Service Plan (ESP) guidelines for dollar amounts. Rentals will only be reimbursed for the day(s) the vehicle is at the dealership for part replacement. Prior approval for more than 2 rental day(s) is required from the SSSC. Contact the SSSC via the SSSC Web Contact Site for consideration and approval if appropriate.

 

PARTS REQUIREMENTS

S110/S130 Rear Axle

 

Inadequate Rear Axle Oil Fill Volume

 

S140 Rear Axle

 

 

S110/S130 Rear Axle

 

 

S140 Rear Axle

 

 

S110/130 Axles

 

 

S140 Axles

 

 

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CERTAIN 2020-2021 MODEL YEAR F-53 MOTORHOME STRIPPED CHASSIS AND F-59 COMMERCIAL STRIPPED CHASSIS — INADEQUATE REAR AXLE OIL FILL VOLUME

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

NOTICE: Interim repair applies to Customer Owned Vehicles Only.

A. ODOMETER AND FLUID LEVEL INSPECTION………………….. Page 1

B. WHEEL BEARING AND CUP INSPECTION………………………..Page 2

C. FORD BEARING AND CUP REPLACEMENT………………………Page 3

D. NON-FORD (ALTERNATE BRANDS) REPLACEMENT (CUSTOMER OWNED UNITS ONLY)……………………………………………………….Page 4

 

A. ODOMETER AND FLUID LEVEL INSPECTION

NOTICE: Interim repair applies to Customer Owned Vehicles Only.

1. Inspect the odometer, does the vehicle have 5 miles or less on the odometer?

 

• If YES – Check fluid level and top off as necessary.

NOTE: A lubricant level close enough to the bottom of the fill hole to be seen or touched is not sufficient. The lubricant must be level with the fill hole. No further action is required. Closes recall.

•  If NO – Proceed to Step 2.

 

NOTE: DO NOT use Ford bearing sets in conjunction with alternate brand parts for repairs. If all 4 bearing and cup sets installed are not Ford brand, they ALL will require future replacement.

 

2. Are all 4 Ford service bearing and cup sets available to repair the vehicle?

• Yes – Proceed to Ford bearing and cup replacement procedure on Page 3.

• No – Is the vehicle owned by a customer?

• • Yes – Proceed to Wheel Bearing and Cup Inspection procedure on Page 2.

• • No – Wait until all 4 Ford service bearings and cups are available and then perform the Ford Bearing and cup replacement procedure on page 3.

 

B. WHEEL BEARING AND CUP INSPECTION

1. Position the vehicle on a hoist.  Please follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 100-02.

 

2.  Remove the Wheel Bearings, Wheel Hub Seals and Wheel Bearing Cups for inspection. Please follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 205-02.

 

3. Thoroughly clean and visually inspect the bearing races and rollers for pitting, galling, excessive heat or erratic wear patterns and check the rollers for end wear. Do any bearings or cups show signs of wear or damage?

• If YES – DOES NOT PASS inspection. Proceed to Alternate Brands Replacement Procedure on Page 4.

• If NO   – PASSES inspection. Proceed to step 4.

 

NOTE: Before reinstalling bearings after inspection, adequately pack the bearings with XG-1-E1 axle grease.

 

4. Pack bearings with grease and reinstall.

 

5. Install new inner hub seals. Please follow the WSM procedures in Section 205-02C.

 

6. Clean any dirt, debris and fluid from around the rear differential fill plug.

 

7. Top off the axle with rear axle lubricant XY-75W140-QL. See Figure 1.

 

8. Install the rear differential fill plug.

• Torque:  50 lb. ft (68 Nm).

 

9. Return vehicle to customer.

 

10. Schedule follow up service appointment when Ford bearing and cup sets are available. Recall remains open.

 

C. FORD BEARING AND CUP REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

1. Position the vehicle on a hoist.  Please follow the WSM procedures in Section 100-02.

 

NOTE: Before installing new Ford bearings, adequately pack the bearings with XG-1-E1 axle grease.

 

2. Replace the Wheel Bearings, Wheel Hub Seals and Wheel Bearing Cups. Please follow WSM procedures in Section 205-02.

 

3. Clean any dirt, debris and fluid from around the rear differential drain bolt and fill plug.

 

4. Drain and refill the axle with new rear axle lubricant XY-75W140-QL. See Figures 1 and 2.

 

NOTE: Drain bolts must be installed prior to refilling the rear axle with lubricant.

 

5. Thoroughly clean and install the rear differential drain bolts using Motorcraft® Threadlock and Sealer TA-25-B.

•  Torque:  150 lb. ft (203 Nm).

 

NOTE: Rear differential drain bolts may be reused for this FSA ONLY.

 

NOTE: S110/S130 axle shown, S140 axle similar.

 

6. Install the rear differential fill plug.

• Torque:  50 lb. ft (68 Nm).

 

7. Service procedure complete, closes recall no further action is required.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Federal law prohibits selling motor vehicle parts or components that are under safety, compliance, or emissions recall. Unless a part is requested to be returned to Ford, all parts replaced under this FSA must be scrapped in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal environmental protection and hazardous material regulations. Refer to the Parts Retention, Return, & Scrapping section of the FSA dealer bulletin for further information.

 

D. NON-FORD (ALTERNATE BRANDS) REPLACEMENT (CUSTOMER OWNED UNITS ONLY)

NOTE: When replacing bearings and cups, DO NOT mix and match brands within the same bearing and cup set (Brand X bearing with Brand Y cup). It is ok to use like branded bearing and cup sets in different locations in the axle (Brand X outer bearing and cup set with Brand Y inner bearing and cup set).

 

NOTE: Installation of alternative parts is allowed for this recall as an interim repair in order to allow continued use of the vehicle while waiting for Ford parts to arrive at your dealership.

 

1. Replace the bearings, bearing cups and hub seals using the approved alternate brands of bearing and cup sets listed below. Please follow WSM procedures in Section 205-02.

• Alternate approved bearing and cup brands for interim repair are:

• SKF

• Schaeffler (FAG)

• Timken

• Koyo

 

NOTE: Other bearing brands not listed above are NOT approved for interim repairs under this recall.

 

NOTE: Before installing new bearings, adequately pack the bearings with XG-1-E1 axle grease.

 

3. Pack bearings with grease and reinstall.

 

4. Clean any dirt, debris and fluid from around the rear differential drain bolt and fill plugs.

 

5. Drain and refill the axle with new rear axle lubricant XY-75W140-QL. See Figures 1 and 2.

 

NOTE: Drain bolts must be installed prior to refilling the rear axle with lubricant.

 

6. Thoroughly clean and install the rear differential drain bolts using Motorcraft® Threadlock and Sealer TA-25-B.

• Torque:  150 lb. ft (203 Nm).

 

NOTE: Rear differential drain bolts may be reused for this FSA ONLY.

 

7. Install the rear differential fill plug.

• Torque:  50 lb. ft (68 Nm).

 

8. Return vehicle to customer.

 

9. Schedule follow up service appointment when Ford bearing and cup sets are available. Recall remains open.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Federal law prohibits selling motor vehicle parts or components that are under safety, compliance, or emissions recall. Unless a part is requested to be returned to Ford, all parts replaced under this FSA must be scrapped in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal environmental protection and hazardous material regulations. Refer to the Parts Retention, Return, & Scrapping section of the FSA dealer bulletin for further information.

 

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4 Affected Products

Vehicles

 

 

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10 Associated Documents

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V202-4521.PDF 215.792KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Advance Notice Safety Recall 21S17 Certain 2020-2021 Model Year F-53 Motorhome Stripped Chassis and F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis Inadequate Rear Axle Oil Fill Volume

RCMN-21V202-2663.pdf 145.62KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V202-6765.pdf 645.556KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-2

RCLQRT-21V202-1474.PDF 211.131KB

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V202-1385.pdf 54.905KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Bulletin re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 21S17 Certain 2020-2021 Model Year F-53 Motorhome Stripped Chassis and F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis Inadequate Rear Axle Oil Fill Volume

RCMN-21V202-8047.pdf 630.206KB

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Recall 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V202-5360.PDF 216.97KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-3

RCLQRT-21V202-0000.PDF 211.235KB

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ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-21V202-3598.pdf 508.394KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V202-2571.PDF 211.326KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V202&docType=RCL

 

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