Safety Recall 21S23 – Left Hand Inner 5th Wheel Bracket Inspection – 2021 Ford Super Duty F-350 & F-450

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May 24, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V379000

Fifth Wheel Bracket May Detach While Towing

A cracked mounting bracket could result in the fifth wheel detaching from the vehicle while towing, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V379

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components TRAILER HITCHES

Potential Number of Units Affected 1,796

 

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Super Duty F-350 and F-450 vehicles equipped with a fifth wheel left-hand mounting bracket that may be cracked.

 

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the mounting bracket, and replace the bracket if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 21S23.

 

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

 


AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicle Model Year Assembly Plant Build Dates
F-350/F-450 2021 Kentucky Truck November 12, 2020 through December 4, 2020

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In some of the affected vehicles, it is possible the left-hand inner 5th wheel bracket becomes split during the stamping process. Customers towing a trailer while using a 5th wheel with a cracked lefthand bracket may experience loud knocks/clanks while accelerating and abnormal vibration with no degradation in lateral stability of the truck/trailer combination.  If left unrepaired and the vehicle tows a trailer that exceeds 22.8K LBS., the 5th wheel assembly may become loose and may ultimately detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

SERVICE ACTION

Before demonstrating or delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to inspect and if required, replace the left-hand inner 5th wheel hitch bracket. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION AND MAILING SCHEDULE

Owner letters are expected to be mailed the week of June 21, 2021. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

Federal law requires dealers to complete this recall service before a new vehicle is delivered to the buyer or lessee. Violation of this requirement by a dealer could result in a civil penalty of up to $21,000 per vehicle. Correct all vehicles in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.

 

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 vehicles.
  • 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

Refunds are not approved for this program.

 

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

Part Number Description Order Quantity Claim Quantity
LC3Z-5L028-A LH Inside 5th Wheel bracket 1 1

 

Part Number Description Order Quantity Claim Quantity
Use below parts when adding outside brackets and/or when equipped with a Ford H-brace
HC3Z-5L028-B RH Outside bracket (if not factory installed)    MT21S23C As Needed order 1 1
HC3Z-5L028-A LH Outside bracket (if not factory installed)     MT21S23C 1
W707516-S439 Outside bracket bolts (2 req/4 per pkg)            MT21S23C 2
W717811-S440 Outside bracket nuts (2 req/4 per pkg)             MT21S23C 2
W719967-S439  H-Brace Nut (if equipped with a Ford H-brace) 2
W711430-S900 H-Brace Nut-special (if equipped with a Ford H-brace) 2
W719086-S439 H-Brace Bolt (if equipped with a Ford H-brace) 4

 


CERTAIN 2021 MODEL YEAR 6.7L F-350/F-450 VEHICLES WITH DUAL REAR WHEELS — LEFT HAND INNER 5TH WHEEL BRACKET INSPECTION

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Inspect the left hand (LH) side rear wheel well. Does the frame assembly directly behind the wheel have the 5th wheel outer bracket mounted to it?  See Figure 1.

Yes –  Proceed to Step 3.

 

2. Inspect the LH 5th wheel inner bracket welded to the inside of the frame. Does the bracket appear to have a split in it? See Figure 2.

Yes –  Fails inspection, replace the LH side 5th wheel inner bracket. Proceed to Step 5.

No –  Passes inspection, replacement is not required.

 

3. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. Please follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) Procedures in Section 100-02.

4. Using a borescopeeBay camera, inspect the LH 5th wheel inner bracket welded to the inside of the frame. Does the bracket appear to have a split in it? See Figures 3 and 4.

Yes –  Fails inspection, replace the LH side 5th wheel inner bracket. Proceed to Step 5.

No –  Passes inspection, replacement is not required.

NOTE:  If there is any uncertainty when performing the inspection, contact SSSC for approval to remove the pickup bed.

 

5. Disconnect the battery ground cable(s). Please follow the WSM procedures in Section 414-01.

6. Depower the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Please follow the WSM procedures in Section 501-20B.

 

7. Remove the Pickup Bed. Please follow the WSM procedures in Section 501-04.

NOTE:  For this FSA only, the fasteners attaching the bed to the frame may be reused.

8. Determine the vehicle’s engine and proceed to one of the two directions below.

•  Gasoline Engine – Remove the Evaporative Emission Canister. Please follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 303-13B.

•  Diesel Engine – Remove the Reductant Tank. Please follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 303-08C.

9. Disconnect the three electrical connectors on the brake line bundle. See Figure 5.

 

10. Remove the two christmas tree retainers that are connecting the harness to the brake line bundle. See Figure 6.

 

11. Remove the christmas tree retainer that is connecting the harness to the bracket on the right side of the 5th wheel inner bracket. See Figure 7.

 

12. Remove the two push-pin retainers that are connecting the harness to the frame on the right side of the bracket in Step 11. See Figure 8.

 

13. Remove the three push-pin retainers that are connecting the harness to the frame on the left side of the brake line bundle. See Figure 9.

 

14. Remove the three bracket to frame bolts. See Figure 10.

• Torque: 20 Nm (14.75 lb-ft)

 

15. Position the harness aside to create a large enough repair area to work in. See Figure

 

16. Position the brake line bundle aside using a bungee cable or something similar to create a large enough repair area to work in. See Figure 12.

 

17. Protect the repair area with a welding blanket.

18. Was the vehicle equipped with a 5th wheel outer bracket?

Yes — Proceed to Step 23.

No — Proceed to Step 19.

 

19. Order the fifth wheel hitch outer brackets for both sides of the vehicle.

20. Place a level on top of the frame where both ends are on top of the two inner brackets that are already welded in place.

21. Identify the LH and RH fifth wheel outer brackets. See Figure 13.

 

22. Using the level, position the fifth wheel hitch outer brackets and install the M16 bolts and M16 flag nuts. See Figures 14 and 15.

• Torque: 250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

 

23.  Remove the paint from a section of the frame close to the repair area and place a ground clamp on it. Make sure there is a solid mechanical connection that will not slip or fall off. See Figure 16.

 

24. Tack weld the LH fifth wheel hitch outer bracket to the frame in the lower corners of the bracket.

See Figure 17.

NOTE:  Please refer to the WSM Welding Precautions in Section 501-25.

 

25. If equipped with the hitch assembly, remove and discard the hitch-to-inner bracket bolts. See Figure 18.

 

26.   If equipped with the hitch assembly, remove the hitch-to-outer bracket bolts. See Figure 19.

 

27.   If equipped, remove the hitch assembly. See Figure 20.

 

28. Remove the LH fifth wheel hitch outer bracket bolts. See Figure 21.

NOTICE:  IF the outer bracket bolts are removed before the outer bracket is tack welded in place, risk of all 4 brackets being level will result.

 

29. Grind through the original welded joint retaining the LH fifth wheel hitch inner bracket to the frame rail. Using a chisel gun with a sharp 1″ wide wedge chisel, separate the ground area of the joints. See Figure 22.

 

30. Using a file belt sander, remove the e-coat from areas to be welded, on both the bracket and frame. See Figure 23.

 

31. Apply one coat of 3M Weld-Thru ll (corrosion resistant zinc coating). Allow dry time per manufacturer’s instructions. See Figure 24.

 

32. Position the new bracket flush with the bottom surface of the level or bottom surface of the 5th wheel crossmember. Secure the two bolts attaching the new bracket to the frame.

• Torque: 250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

33. Tack weld the new bracket to the frame in the locations shown. See Figure 25.

 

34. Solid weld the new bracket to the frame along the highlighted path shown. See Figure 26.

 

35. Allow surface to cool down to ambient temperature prior to applying any repair paint.

36. After all weld repair is complete, use a scotch brite pad or other wire brush to clean the affected area(s) of all surface contamination and effected paint film. Both surfaces of material should be cleaned as needed.

37. Spray Repaired Surface Area with Daubert Wax Nox Rust X-121-B.  Repeat as needed to cover entire area with full coverage. See Figure 27.

 

38. Apply Daubert Wax Nox Rust X-121-B to the internal cavity in heat affected zones with sprayer to coat the inside of any internal cavities that would be affected by the weld repair through adjacent holes with access.

39. Verify that all mounting surfaces and clip holes are clear of spatter and wax overspray. See Figure 28.

 

40. Install the hitch assembly. See Figure 29.

1. Install the hitch assembly.

2. Align crossmember to the locator pin on each side of the frame.

 

41. Install the new hitch-to-inner bracket bolts. See Figure 30.

• Torque: 235 Nm (173 lb-ft)

 

42. Install the hitch-to-outer bracket bolts. See Figure 31.

• Torque: 150 Nm (111 lb-ft)

 

43. Reassemble the vehicle by reversing the removal procedure (steps 5-17).

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.

 


 


2 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE MODEL YEAR
FORD F-350 SD 2021
FORD F-450 SD 2021

 


9 Associated Documents

Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-2

RCLQRT-21V379-6395.PDF 211.134KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V379-4172.pdf 645.196KB

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V379-7228.PDF 214.453KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Advance Notice re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Advance Notice – Safety Recall 21S23 Certain 2021 Model Year 6.7L F-350/F-450 Vehicles with Dual Rear Wheels Left Hand Inner 5th Wheel Bracket Inspection

RCMN-21V379-2328.pdf 135.262KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Bulletin re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 21S23 Certain 2021 Model Year 6.7L F-350/F-450 Vehicles with Dual Rear Wheels Left Hand Inner 5th Wheel Bracket Inspection

RCMN-21V379-8783.pdf 8213.377KB

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V379-8140.pdf 51.556KB

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ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-21V379-5832.pdf 509.061KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-3

RCLQRT-21V379-7274.PDF 211.239KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V379-3498.PDF 211.328KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

For the Latest and Most Recent Recalls Information Visit the link below…

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V379&docType=RCL

 


 

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