Ford F-150 Fuel Tank Mount Failure
Ford Motor Company has announced a safety field action (NHTSA Campaign: 26V-578 / Ford Service Action: 26S69) affecting select 2023–2027 F-150 trucks.
The issue stems from improperly secured front fuel tank mounting straps, which could lead to fuel leaks or a detached tank while driving.
Understanding the Defect
The issue centers around the front fuel tank straps, which secure the gas tank directly to the truck's frame rail. During vehicle assembly, front fuel tank strap T-slots were not always fully inserted into the frame rail as intended.
An internal review revealed that affected trucks were assembled between January 4, 2023, and August 27, 2026 - a time-frame when automated camera systems designed to verify strap placement were not in continuous use across F-150 plants.
- Affected Population: An estimated 223,472 vehicles are covered under this action. This includes unsold trucks and vehicles with under 3 months in service as of August 27, 2026, as data indicates improper mounting shows up very early in a truck's service life.
- No Warnings: Drivers will not receive any dashboard alerts or advance warning indicators before an improperly mounted strap causes an issue.
Potential Safety Hazards
An improperly secured fuel tank introduces several hazards on the road:
- Engine Stalling: Fuel line disruption or sudden leakage can starve the engine of fuel, causing the truck to stall in motion and increasing crash risks.
- Fire Risk: Leaking gasoline coming into contact with hot exhaust components or electrical equipment creates an elevated fire risk.
- Road Hazard for Others: In severe cases, a tank that comes entirely unhooked from the frame can fall onto the roadway, creating a sudden physical hazard for surrounding traffic.
Timeline of the Field Investigation
Ford's Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) launched an inquiry into the issue on July 23, 2026.
- July – August 2026: CCRG analyzed global warranty data and identified 16 claims globally concerning loose fuel tanks filed between June 25, 2018, and August 5, 2026.
- Safety Record: Ford confirmed zero accidents or injuries related to this condition.
- Action Approval: Ford's Field Review Committee officially authorized corrective action on September 1, 2026, followed by the formal NHTSA filing on September 9, 2026.