DEARBORN, September 18 — Ford Motor Company is recalling 223,472 F-150 pickup trucks over an improperly secured front fuel tank, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a recall report published September 15. The bottom line for owners: the fix is free, and Ford estimates just 1% of the recalled trucks actually carry the defect. The recall covers certain model year 2023 through 2027 F-150 pickups, a span of five production years.
According to the NHTSA report, “in some instances, front fuel tank strap T-slots were not properly inserted into the vehicle’s frame rail at the time of vehicle assembly.”
What the defect means on the road
The T-slots are designed to secure the fuel tank to the vehicle’s frame rail. If they are not properly inserted, the tank may not be adequately secured. An improperly secured fuel tank could increase the risk of a fire or stalling of the engine due to fuel loss, according to the recall report.
If the tank detaches, it poses a road hazard to other vehicles. The report notes the issue was identified during vehicle assembly.
Owners will be notified by mail and should take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tanks inspected and replaced, if necessary. Ford told FOX Business the service will be free of charge. Notification letters are expected to begin going out September 21.
A flagship truck, and a run of safety actions
The F-150 is Ford’s best-selling vehicle and has been the top-selling pickup truck in the United States for decades. It is a full-size pickup that has been in production for decades and is a major source of revenue for the company, which is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. The recall is one of several recent safety actions involving Ford vehicles.
In a separate recall, nearly 150,000 Ford vehicles were recalled after a defect raised the risk of sudden power loss while driving. Some older Ford vehicles were also found to pose “unreasonable” safety risks, according to regulators.
Investors will note the recall lands alongside other Ford news. The company has announced plans to invest $1 billion in a Kentucky truck plant, and it has been defending American manufacturing amid a supply chain fight with China. The Secretary of Transportation has warned Ford about partnering with Chinese supply chains.
NHTSA, based in Washington, D.C., is the federal agency responsible for regulating vehicle safety and issuing recalls. The recall is being conducted in coordination with the agency, and the report is publicly available.
Owners with questions can contact their Ford or Lincoln dealer. The figure that matters for most of them is the 1% defect estimate — but every truck in the recall window is eligible for the free inspection. Watch for the notification letters beginning September 21, and for whether the inspection turns up a higher share of affected tanks than Ford’s estimate.
