Ford is recalling more than 223,000 F-150 pickup trucks in the United States due to a defect that could cause the fuel tanks to leak or detach, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a fire or crash. The recall affects 223,472 Ford F-150 trucks from the 2023 through 2027 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The issue stems from the front fuel tank straps, which may not have been assembled correctly during manufacturing. In some instances, the T-slots on the straps were not properly positioned in the vehicle's frame rail, potentially leaving the fuel tank inadequately secured. If the tank shifts or detaches, it could spill fuel onto the road or cause the vehicle to lose power.
Ford's Critical Concern Review Group first reviewed the issue on July 23. The automaker has received 16 warranty claims related to the fuel tank problem between June 2018 and August 5, 2026. Ford stated it is unaware of any crashes or injuries linked to this specific defect and estimates that only about 1 percent of the recalled trucks have the problem.
Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail, with letters expected to be sent between September 21 and September 28. Dealerships will inspect the fuel tank straps and replace them free of charge if necessary. The replacement straps will be the same type as the original but will be properly secured.
This recall is separate from a larger campaign in April that recalled nearly 1.4 million older F-150s (2015-2017 model years) for a defect that could cause unexpected downshifts. It also follows a recent recall of approximately 148,663 Mustang vehicles (2024-2026 model years) for a wiring defect that could lead to sudden loss of engine power.
Ford has faced a series of recalls as it aims to improve vehicle quality, a point of concern for the Detroit automaker. Ford CEO Jim Farley has suggested that many recalls involve older vehicle designs, while newer models are benefiting from quality improvements.
Despite the recall issues, Ford was recently ranked the top mainstream brand for initial vehicle quality by J.D. Power, a first for the company since 2010. Ford recorded 152 problems per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership in the 2026 J.D. Power US Initial Quality Study, an improvement from the previous year.
Owners can check if their F-150 is affected by the recall using the NHTSA's online recall system by entering their vehicle identification number (VIN).