Ford recalls 223,472 F-150 pickups because the fuel tank can leak or fall off
The tank may not be properly secured, so it can leak or drop onto the road. Owner letters are out, and the fix is a set of straps.
Ford filed recall 26V-578 on 9 September 2026 for 223,472 F-150 pickups from the 2023 to 2027 model years. The fuel tank may not be properly secured. It can leak, which can stall the engine or start a fire, or it can come away from the truck while it is being driven and leave a hazard in the road behind it.
Dealers will inspect the trucks and replace the fuel tank straps where needed, free of charge. Ford mailed owner letters on 21 September; its own number for the campaign is 26S69, and VINs have been searchable at NHTSA since 14 September.
Not a recall the complaints predicted
Some recalls follow a pile of owner complaints. This one did not. Of the 727 complaints owners have filed on 2023–2027 F-150s, ten concern the fuel system and only one mentions the tank. Whatever led Ford to the defect, it was not a wave of reports to the government. A quiet complaint file is not proof a truck is fine.
| Model year | Complaints on file |
|---|---|
| 2023 F-150 | 414 |
| 2024 F-150 | 193 |
| 2025 F-150 | 108 |
| 2026 F-150 | 12 |
All complaint types, not only the fuel system. Newer years have had less time to collect them.
What to do
- Check the VIN at the VIN lookup or nhtsa.gov/recalls; not every 2023–2027 F-150 is included.
- A smell of fuel, a wet patch under the truck or a new rattle from underneath is a reason to book it in now.
- Ford customer service: 1-866-436-7332.
Sources
Complaint and recall figures from NHTSA files of 15 October 2026 (complaints) and 9 October 2026 (recalls). Complaints are unverified reports by owners. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.