2023 Ford F-150

I am writing to request assistance regarding the Customer Satisfaction Bulletin published by NHTSA, titled "Heated Steering Wheel Performance Upgrade 22G06": [XXX] I purchased a 2023 Ford F-150 Tremor from Ryan Ford in Sealy, TX, as a custom order with a build date of December 2022. While I originally paid for a heated steering wheel as part of the vehicle's configuration, this feature was removed during production due to supply chain issues. The omission is noted on my vehicle’s window sticker. Upon reviewing the 22G06 bulletin, I understand that certain F-150 vehicles, including those built in December 2022 at the Dearborn plant, qualify for the upgrade. Based on this information, my truck appears to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the bulletin. I initially contacted my sales agent at Ryan Ford to arrange the upgrade but was informed that my truck is not eligible and was directed to contact Ford Customer Service. When I reached out to Ford Customer Service, I was advised to contact NHTSA, as Ford is unable to consider adding my truck to the VIN list for eligibility without NHTSA approval. This back-and-forth has left me without a clear resolution or pathway forward. Could you please clarify why my vehicle is deemed ineligible for this upgrade, despite seemingly meeting all the stated criteria? Furthermore, I would appreciate your guidance on how I can ensure my dealership completes this upgrade, considering my vehicle's apparent qualifications. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission downshifted to second gear unexpectedly, causing the rear wheels to squeal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road temporarily. The contact stated resumed driving at highway speeds; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle downshifted to 2nd gear. The contact was able to drive to the nearby dealer, where the vehicle was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on a flat road surface, the vehicle made an abnormal exploding sound, and the contact noticed that the panoramic sunroof rear glass panel had shattered without impact. The contact stated that the shattered glass did not fall into the interior of the vehicle because the sunroof interior canvas cover was closed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and assessed the damage. The vehicle was driven to the nearest dealer, where it was determined that the panoramic sunroof rear glass panel needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the autobody repair department would perform the extensive repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and declined to cover the repair under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

The rear axle bolts - both - were sheared. Specifically, the bolt head and a portion of the bolt shaft were loose within the small hub cap that covers the axles. I was unaware that either bolt had failed. The failure was discovered on [XXX] when I took the vehicle into a Ford dealership for an oil change tire rotation. I was waiting for the service to be completed. The service advisor, Rocky Garcia, approached me and informed me that one of the rear axle bolts had sheared, and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. At my request he returned with one fairly large bolt head with a shaft that had clearly sheared. He said that this was not the subject of a recall, but that it was covered under warranty. When the vehicle was returned to me on Saturday, December 14, 2024 I learned from the invoice that both rear bolts had failed. The invoice states that both rear "axle shafts" were replaced. The vehicle was manufactured in July or August of 2024 and falls outside of the recall that exists for 2023 Ford F-150 with the Trailer Tow Max Package, Ford reference No. 23S65. A simple internet search reveals Ford has struggled with this same defect for years. The rear axle bolt is a critical component, and it is absurd that in 2023, Ford is struggling with using a bolt of sufficient strength. As I am reminded every time I start the vehicle, the Ford F series was in its 75th year in 2023. One would think that developing an axle bolt of sufficient strength after 75 years would not be hard. I have towed a camper approximately 10 times since the purchase of the vehicle in August 2023. The camper, fully loaded, weighs at most 3,600 lbs. The sheared bolt was retained by Covert Ford in Austin, TX. I felt no change in the handling of the vehicle at any time, there were no warning lamps, etc., and heard no noise.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission shifted hard while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to two dealers; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 800.

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked abnormally while downshifting while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions and the failure was acknowledged; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle remained with the dealer for over a month before the vehicle was returned. The contact stated that the failure had worsened upon retrieving the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

When driving my truck using adaptive speed control my vehicle reacts as it should to speed limit signs until it sees any sign with the number 80 on it, e.g.- state hwy 80. As soon as it reads the number 80 the number 80mph shows on the dash speedometer and the truck immediately accelerates to 80 mph! This happens no matter what speed zone you are in, even a school zone! I contacted Ford Motor Company and they referred me to my local dealership. The Dealership RAPIDS FORD said they knew of the problem because one of their managers had the same issue with his loaner vehicle. They said they contacted Ford and the Ford tech told him he should shut off the adaptive speed control when it happens???? I don't believe this is a viable solution because you never know when it is going to happen. This will happen anytime it sees the number 80 Whether you are in a 25mph, a 55 mph, or any speed zone. this is a very DANGEROUS situation for both occupants and pedestrians. I was recently on an hour-long phone call with Ford vehicle technology assist and they insisted I find my own solution by going to my local dealerships. I know for sure this condition affects at least two, but more than likely tens of thousands of vehicles. Please look into this before somebody gets killed. I can tell that Ford is not going to. This problem showed up repeatedly because state hwy 80 was detoured through and around my town. These are highway signage not speed limit signage. They do not look alike.

While driving my 2023 Ford F-150 on the freeway, the sunroof spontaneously shattered without warning. The failure occurred at highway speeds, producing a loud gunshot-like sound that startled me. The glass broke in an upward trajectory, which is inconsistent with the possibility of an external object, such as a rock, causing the damage. There were no other vehicles around me at the time, and no debris struck the windshield or surrounding areas. The shattered sunroof remains available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and others was put at significant risk. Shattered glass could have fallen into the cabin while I was driving, potentially causing injuries or a distraction that might lead to an accident. Minutes prior to the incident, I had two young children under three years old in the vehicle, heightening my concern about the severity of this issue. Thankfully, they were not present when the sunroof shattered. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, but I did bring the vehicle to the dealership where I purchased it. The dealership, after consulting with Ford corporate, denied warranty coverage and suggested the damage was caused by a rock. This conclusion does not align with the circumstances or the nature of the damage. Neither the manufacturer nor any independent service center has inspected the sunroof further for potential defects. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the incident. This failure was entirely sudden and unexpected. Based on my research, spontaneous sunroof shattering is a documented issue that has occurred in similar vehicles, often attributed to defective tempered glass or thermal stress. I believe this incident is the result of a manufacturing defect in the sunroof glass.