Ford is recalling 223,472 F-150 pickups from model years 2023 through 2027 because improperly secured fuel tanks could leak or detach from the vehicle, potentially creating a road hazard and increasing crash risk.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 223,000 F-150 pickup trucks after identifying a problem that could allow the fuel tank to become loose, leak or potentially separate from the vehicle while it is being driven.
The recall covers 223,472 certain 2023 through 2027 F-150 trucks, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report posted Sept. 14.
The issue involves fuel tank straps that may not properly secure the tank. If the tank shifts or detaches, it could create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Ford dealerships will inspect affected vehicles and replace the fuel tank straps when necessary at no cost to owners.
Notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning Sept. 21. Owners can also contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall number 26S69.
Vehicle Identification Numbers covered by the recall are now searchable through NHTSA.gov.
Ford said it was aware of 16 warranty claims worldwide involving the condition as of Aug. 27. As of Sept. 1, the company said it had received no reports of accidents or injuries associated with the problem.
A loose or damaged fuel tank strap can present problems even before a tank completely separates from a vehicle.
Online automotive retailer Carparts.com explained in a May 15 blog that a tank supported by a damaged strap can begin sagging, moving or scraping against the roadway.
“The longer it stays loose, the higher the chance of damage that turns a simple repair into a bigger one,” the report noted.
Continued movement can also damage fuel lines, hoses and electrical connections even when the tank has not noticeably dropped. Driving for short distances can still potentially worsen the damage.
Vehicles typically use two straps to support a fuel tank. If one fails, the remaining strap can be subjected to more weight and stress than it was designed to carry, increasing the possibility that it could also fail.
Drivers may notice warning signs before that happens.
A failing or broken fuel tank strap can produce clunking or thumping sounds underneath the vehicle during acceleration, braking or travel over bumps. Other warning signs include a visibly sagging fuel tank, a hanging strap, corrosion around the straps or mounting points, or the smell of fuel inside or around the vehicle.
The recall affects a model belonging to one of Ford’s most important vehicle lines. Ford’s F-Series, which includes the F-150, has ranked as the top-selling vehicle line in the United States for more than four decades, according to Voice of America.
The fuel tank action is also the latest in a series of sizable Ford recalls.
Earlier this month, the automaker recalled 148,663 Mustang vehicles from model years 2024 through 2026 because of a potential electrical system failure. The defect could cause a loss of drive power and increase crash risk.
That action followed another recall in July covering 387,911 vehicles because second-row seats could malfunction and move unexpectedly, potentially increasing the likelihood of occupant injuries during a collision.
The July recall involved certain 2020 through 2027 Lincoln Aviator models and 2020 through 2026 Ford Explorer vehicles.
For F-150 owners affected by the newest recall, Ford’s repair centers will determine whether the fuel tank straps require replacement and perform the work free of charge. Until owners receive their mailed notices, they can use their VIN to determine whether their truck is among the 223,472 vehicles included in recall 26S69.
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