Ford has recalled 30,123 full-size pickup trucks because a defective tailgate cable could fail under heavy loads, potentially causing the tailgate to drop onto the rear bumper and injure customers. The recall covers select 2026-2027 Ford F-150 models and 2026 F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty trucks, but owners will have to wait until 2027 for the planned repair.
Although no warranty claims or field reports related to the problem had been reported as of October 19, 2026, Ford has identified a manufacturing defect that could cause the tailgate cable to detach under certain conditions.
What Is Wrong With Ford’s Tailgate Cables?
The problem involves the left-side tailgate cable on affected Ford pickups. When a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) or a comparable load is placed on the tailgate, the cable on the right may be unable to support the weight, potentially allowing the tailgate to drop onto the rear bumper.
The falling tailgate or the load itself could cause injuries to customers. The defect stems from an incomplete crimp in the cable bolt-end eyelet, which can allow the cable to separate from the eyelet under heavy loads.
The recall report identified a broken crimping die as the cause of the incomplete crimping. The defect affects specific full-size pickup models across Ford’s F-150 and Super Duty lineups.
Which Ford Trucks Are Included in the Recall?
The recall covers 30,123 vehicles across four model categories. The affected trucks and their respective quantities are:
- 2026-2027 Ford F-150: 18,412 units
- 2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty: 7,387 units
- 2026 Ford F-350 Super Duty: 3,537 units
- 2026 Ford F-450 Super Duty: 787 units
As of October 19, 2026, Ford had received no warranty claims or field reports associated with the tailgate problem. The recall was issued before any reported customer impact from the defect.
When Will Ford Fix the Tailgate Problem?
Ford owners will have to wait several months for the repair process to begin. Interim owner notification letters are expected to be sent between December 14, 2026, and December 18, 2026.
Remedy notification letters are scheduled to follow between January 18 and January 22, 2027. The timeline means affected owners may have to wait until early 2027 before receiving instructions for the permanent repair.
Once the remedy becomes available, owners will need to take their trucks to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the left-side tailgate cable replaced. The repair will be performed at no charge.
Owners seeking additional information can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. The vehicle identification numbers (VINs) of affected trucks are scheduled to become searchable on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website on December 7, 2026.
Until the repair is completed, owners of affected pickups should exercise caution when operating their tailgates and loading heavy items into their truck beds.
Ford’s 2026 Recall Total Reaches 84
The tailgate recall adds to a busy year for Ford’s recall activity. The automaker has issued 84 recalls in 2026, the highest total among automakers, compared with 39 for Stellantis, 28 for Toyota, 25 for General Motors and 22 for Hyundai Motor America.
Not every recall involves a serious or widespread problem, and some address quality issues before customers experience inconvenience. However, Ford has also issued more serious warnings this year.
In May, 4,653 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles received a Do Not Drive warning because a detached control arm could cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Despite reaching 84 recalls in 2026, Ford remains below the 153 recalls it issued in 2025. The latest tailgate campaign adds another repair obligation for the automaker as affected truck owners await the replacement cables.
