Ford is in the midst of a recall nightmare at the moment, topping the charts during a particularly bad year for the whole industry in that regard. As a matter of fact, 2026 is well on track to become the worst recent year in terms of vehicles recalled at this pace, and the problem isn’t limited to Ford.
Toyota and multiple Stellantis brands are heavily contributing to it, as well, but Blue Oval does hold the lead by a huge margin. As we roll into September, the company has issued 71 individual recall campaigns this year, and there are still a few months to go. Unfortunately, we’ve now got more bad news for F-150 owners.
America’s Favorite Pickup Recalled Over Major Gas Tank Issues
2026 Ford F-150 STX 3/4 frontFord Motor Company
According to a recall notice from September 9 in the NHTSA database, the fuel tanks on more than 200,000 F-150s sold in the US might be improperly secured. On the one hand, this could result in leaks and, ultimately, a pretty serious fire hazard, so it’s far more than just a matter of dollars needlessly wasted at the fuel pump. And that’s not even the worst part.
The same tanks may detach altogether while the vehicle is on the move, which isn’t just dangerous for the F-150’s occupants but also to other drivers out on the road. So, whereas most of Ford’s recalled vehicles this year were a matter of software and electrical issues, this is definitely something that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later. The affected trucks include certain 2023–2027 model-year vehicles – 223,472 of them, to be exact.
How Does Ford Plan On Handling This?
2026 Ford F-150 XLT FX4 on the trailFord
If your F-150 is among the ones at risk (check the NHTSA platform with your VIN), dealers will inspect the fuel tank straps and replace them free of charge if necessary. And you most certainly don’t want to be driving around in something that could suddenly erupt in flames or cast fireballs at other drivers.
The good news here is that Ford isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries resulting from this issue. However, there are 16 warranty claims relating to this problem around the world, so there is a legitimate concern. The automaker first learned of a potential problem in July 2026; Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group looked into the matter and approved action on September 1.
So, make sure you spare a minute to look into this in case you own an F-150 from model-year 2023 onward, because you might be saving yourself and others a world of trouble. And as Ford’s recall fever dream continues, we find ourselves wondering where we’ll get to by the end of the year.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Lately, there seems to be some major recall campaign announced every other day, and even good old Toyota – often praised for bulletproof reliability – has taken a painful reputational hit. But going back to Ford, the issues it’s dealing with signal an acute need to bolster quality control so most of them can be avoided in the first place.
To be frank, though, the industry as a whole needs to get its act together before things go from bad to worse. Because although Ford is by far the biggest culprit here, 2026 has been particularly gloomy for several automakers in the US and beyond. We hope things are brought under control soon, as this situation persisting for much longer wouldn’t be good for anyone involved.
Source: NHTSA
