Over 50 million vehicles in the United States have unrepaired safety recalls, according to the National Safety Council. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges all vehicle owners — including fleet operators — to follow any interim safety guidance provided by the manufacturer and to contact their local dealership to fix the recalled part free of charge.

Recently, Ford Motor Company recalled an estimated 18,808 2017-2018 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 4x4 vehicles due to a driveshaft issue. Specifically, a radial damper inside the driveshaft may move out of position over time, which can cause a driveshaft imbalance and result in a fracture.

This is a serious situation as a fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power. Moreover, the vehicle could roll away if the parking brake is not engaged. Both scenarios increase the likelihood of a collision.

To fix the problem, dealers will replace the driveshaft, at no cost to customers. Owner notification letters will be mailed Jan. 9, 2023. Owners can reach Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S74.