Ford Is Recalling 100,000 F-150s Because Earlier Fixes May Not Have Worked

The Recall Behind The Recall

Ford has repeatedly led NHTSA's unwanted recall list in recent years, and that appears to be the case again this year, with nearly 50 recalls issued so far. The latest recalls stem from an audit launched in late 2024, which later found that some F-150s may have been marked as repaired even though the required updates could not be verified. As a result, the automaker is recalling more than 100,000 F-150s to make sure earlier software fixes were properly installed.

One recall (26V373) covers a daytime running light defect affecting 91,198 MY2018–MY2020 F-150s built from January 10, 2017 to September 10, 2019. The other (26V375) involves a column shifter issue affecting 10,742 MY2018 F-150s built from February 13, 2017 to July 11, 2018.

What's Actually Wrong?

The DRL issue causes the daytime running lights to remain illuminated instead of dimming when the master lighting switch is manually rotated from the “Autolamp” position to the “headlamp on” position. This results in lighting output that exceeds federal safety limits, potentially reducing visibility for other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash.

Meanwhile, the column shifter defect involves a rapid shift from Park to Drive that could briefly trigger Reverse or Neutral operation, creating a risk of unintended vehicle movement. This issue affects trucks equipped with the 3.3-liter engine, a six-speed transmission, and a column-mounted shift lever.

Again, both recalls involve trucks that Ford’s records showed had already been repaired, but the correct fixes may not have been installed.

Getting The Update Right

Affected owners from both safety campaigns will be notified between July 6 and July 10, 2026. They will be instructed to bring their F-150s to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for a software update. Trucks with the DRL issue will receive a Body Control Module update, while those with the column shifter problem will get a Powertrain Control Module update.

On one hand, these recalls could raise questions about Ford’s ability to ensure repairs are completed properly. On the other, they also show the Blue Oval taking a more proactive approach to identifying potential safety issues. The company has said its rising recall count is partly tied to a larger safety and technical team focused on spotting problems earlier. Either way, affected owners should complete the recall to avoid possible safety risks.

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