2026 Ford F-450 recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2026 Ford F-450 and 3 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are unknown or other (1), electrical system (1), forward collision avoidance (1).
The 2026 ranks #2 of 15 F-450 model years for fewest complaints (2012–2026), with fewer complaints than the average year (12). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 7.8 per model year.
Recalls 5
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2026 Ford F-450. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Structure · body · tailgate · hinge and attachments
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 F-150, 2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The left-side tailgate cable may fail under certain heavy load conditions.
Risk: Tailgate cable failure may allow the tailgate to drop onto the rear bumper, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left-side tailgate cable, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed December 14, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S78. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 7, 2026.
Electrical system · instrument cluster/panel
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, F-600, 2026 F-150, and F-750 SD vehicles. The analog cluster’s tachometer and speedometer may become stuck or move erratically, providing inaccurate readings to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Risk: A speedometer that fails to display accurate vehicle speed can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument cluster modules, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed in October 26, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C46. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 7, 2026.
Exterior lighting · headlights
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Expedition, 2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, and F-550 SD vehicles. The headlight assemblies may contain a contaminated LED chip, which can result in a loss of daytime running lights, parking lights, high beams or low beams. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A loss of exterior lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 26, 2026.
Electrical system · integrated trailer brake control
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Electrical system · instrument cluster/panel
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 F-550 SD, F-450 SD, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, and 2025 F-150 vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S88.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
Navigation sporadic. Shows location then puts you 200 miles away. now shows at dealer when im 30 miles from Dealer. has shown to turn into the water in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The navigation is intermittent, which causes the dash and connectivity to stop, which makes the dash go blank. Come back on and has shut the truck off a couple of times. Ford is saying it's connectivity, they're connectivity. People is saying the software software people are saying it's hardware. The dealer refuses to work on it. Anymore, because they've had it two months and c…
Steering wheel will not return to center after making a turn without assistance
Safety ratings
NHTSA hasn't published 5-star crash ratings for the 2026 Ford F-450.
Fuel economy
The EPA doesn't publish fuel economy ratings for heavy-duty pickups like the Ford F-450.
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Ford F-450 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2026 Ford F-450, most recently for structure · body · tailgate · hinge and attachments (10/20/2026). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Ford F-450?
Based on 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are unknown or other (1), electrical system (1), forward collision avoidance (1).
Is the 2026 Ford F-450 safe?
NHTSA hasn't published an overall 5-star rating for the 2026 Ford F-450.
Is the 2026 a good year for the Ford F-450?
The 2026 ranks #2 of 15 F-450 model years for fewest complaints (2012–2026), with fewer complaints than the average year (12). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 7.8 per model year.
Own a 2026 Ford F-450 in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved November 2, 2026. NHTSA model names used: F-450 SD, F-450.