Ford Motor Company is recalling 223,472 F-150 pickup trucks after federal regulators found that fuel tanks on some models can come loose and even fall off while the vehicle is being driven.
The recall covers model years 2023 through 2027. According to a New York Post report, the trucks left the factory with fuel tank straps that were not properly attached to the frame rail.
Ford will begin mailing notification letters to owners between September 21 and September 28. Affected vehicle identification numbers became searchable on September 14. Dealerships will inspect and replace the faulty fuel tank straps at no cost to owners.
The defect poses real safety risks. A loose or leaking fuel tank can drip gasoline onto hot exhaust parts, raising the risk of fire, or disrupt fuel delivery and cause the engine to stall. A tank that fully detaches on a highway could become a hazardous obstacle for other drivers. Notably, affected vehicles have no warning system to alert drivers before a detachment occurs, meaning the failure can happen without notice.
Part of a Broader Pattern
This is not Ford’s first major recall this year. In April, the company recalled more than 1 million F-150 trucks over a gearshift defect linked to crash risks, which caused at least two injuries and an accident. Ford has led the auto industry in total recalls for the past five years, and currently lists at least 12 active recalls on its support website.
The recall comes as Ford works to right its finances. In July, the company reported second-quarter revenue of $48.3 billion, down $1.9 billion from a year earlier, alongside a net loss of $1.3 billion. CFO Sherry House said at the time that Ford’s team is “improving the way we operate — sharpening our industrial system, fundamentally reducing costs, and partnering in global markets for speed and efficiency.”
Despite the financial pressure and repeated recalls, Ford is also investing in expansion. Last week, the company announced a $1 billion state-of-the-art paint shop at its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, replacing the facility’s existing paint shop as part of a broader modernization effort.
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