Ford bulletin SSM 51659
What it saysSome 2023 F-Super Duty vehicles built on or before 09-May-2023 may exhibit an inoperative four wheel drive system and/or diagnostic trouble code (DTC) C00A1 in the all-wheel drive (AWD) module. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Ford filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated May 24, 2023, received Jun 5, 2023, about the electrical system. It names 4 model years (2023). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationWhat it applies to, as the document itself states it — the build window in the manufacturer’s own words, read by machine from the PDF NHTSA serves. The build date is on the certification label in the driver’s door jamb; the dealer settles a borderline vehicle by its VIN.
Some 2023 F-Super Duty vehicles built on or before 09-May-2023 may exhibit an inoperative four wheel drive system and/or diagnostic trouble code (DTC) C00A1 in the all-wheel drive (AWD) module. Prior to beginning diagnostics, inspect ground location G239 for proper tightness of 6 lb-ft (8 Nm). G239 is located behind the right-hand side front scuff plate near the body control module (BCM). If ground is found to be properly tightened, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM) for any additional diagnosis.
Trouble codes it names: C00A1
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 51659 | Service bulletin | May 24, 2023 | 10237345 | PDF, 71 KB |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themAlso filed against model years this site has no page for: 2023 Ford F-550 SD.
A vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 3 model years this bulletin names have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 30 of them name Electrical System — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
Multiple electrical issues related to dashboard controls, video sensors, head unit. Controls powering down while driving, sensors throwing multiple error messages. All since 1,500 miles. Ford could not figure out what the issue was so they replaced the wiring harness. After 2 months in the shop I got my vehicle back.
2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Mar 11, 2025 · ODI 11647774
7 Pin Trailer Connector is not transfering power to trailer needs to be repair under warranty vehicle around 17000 miles No rapair was done at Mossy Ford dealer spend 5 days without vehicle Dealership provide me a diagram in order I repleace fuse by myself. no repairs was done problem persist
2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Jul 6, 2024 · ODI 11599563
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V506000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available.
2023 Ford F-450 Super Duty · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Oct 30, 2023 · ODI 11552730
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the electrical system
Source: same model, same component group100 other manufacturer communications filed against these Ford models under the same component group (electrical system), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Ford list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB 26-2439 | Service bulletin | Oct 21, 2026 | Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and radio system… |
| SSM 55255 | Service bulletin | Oct 15, 2026 | Some 2024-2026 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera may exhibit a distorted or corrupted 360-degree camera image in the c… |
| TSB 26-2442 | Service bulletin | Oct 14, 2026 | This bulletin supersedes 26-2297. Reason for update: Add 2022-2025 Transit vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement abov… |
| SSM 55239 | Service bulletin | Oct 12, 2026 | Some 2023-2026 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a trailer brake control module and built on or before 08-May-2026 may exhibit a "Trailer… |
| SSM 55208 | Service bulletin | Sep 25, 2026 | Some 2024-2026 F-150, 2025 Explorer/Aviator, 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator, or 2026 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble co… |
| TCU-26.2.12.2.1 | Over-the-air update | Sep 17, 2026 | Quality improvements include: -Addresses a bug that may cause updates to fail |
| ECG-26.2.12.3 | Over-the-air update | Sep 16, 2026 | Quality improvements include: -ePrivacy enhancements |
| SSM 55118 | Service bulletin | Aug 25, 2026 | Some of the following vehicles: * 2023-2025 F-Super Duty built on or before 02-Feb-2025 * 2024-2026 Ranger/Bronco/Mustang * 2024-2025 F-15… |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Ford, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Ford SSM 51659 a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the SSM 51659 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.
Which vehicles does SSM 51659 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 4 model years: 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2023 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2023 Ford F-550 SD. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone. The document itself sets the build window: 2023 F-Super Duty: built on or before 9 May 2023 — the build date is on the certification label in the driver’s door jamb.