Ford Motor Company is recalling 223,472 F-150 pickup trucks because a manufacturing defect can cause the fuel tank to come loose and drop off the vehicle, according to federal regulators. The New York Post reported Tuesday that the affected trucks, spanning model years 2023 through 2027, left the factory with fuel tank straps that were improperly attached to the frame rail.
The recall covers roughly a quarter-million of Ford’s flagship pickup, a vehicle that has long been the best-selling truck in the United States. A detached or loose fuel tank poses a direct safety hazard: leaking gasoline dripping onto hot exhaust components can trigger a fire, and a tank that fully separates on a highway becomes a deadly obstacle for surrounding traffic.
No Warning Before a Tank Detaches
Adding to the risk, the affected vehicles have no warning system to alert drivers before the fuel tank detaches, meaning it can happen without notice. A loose tank can also disrupt fuel delivery and cause the engine to stall mid-drive.
Ford will begin mailing notification letters to owners between Sept. 21 and Sept. 28, per the New York Post. Affected vehicle identification numbers became searchable on Sept. 14, and dealerships will inspect and replace the fuel tank straps at no charge to owners.
The recall is the latest in a long line of safety actions for the automaker. Ford has led the automotive industry in recalls for the past five years, a stretch that includes a separate April action covering more than 1 million F-150 pickups over crash risks tied to a gearshift defect. That defect was linked to at least two injuries and an accident. On a support website, Ford currently lists at least 12 active recalls across various vehicles.
A Costly Stretch for Ford
The safety notice lands amid a difficult financial period for the company. In July, Ford reported second-quarter revenue of $48.3 billion, down $1.9 billion year-over-year, alongside a net loss of $1.3 billion.
“Our team is improving the way we operate — sharpening our industrial system, fundamentally reducing costs, and partnering in global markets for speed and efficiency,” CFO Sherry House said at the time.
Even as it manages the recall, Ford is pressing ahead with investments in its manufacturing footprint. Just last week, the company announced it is deepening its commitment to vehicle production in Kentucky, unveiling plans for a new $1 billion paint shop at Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville. The state-of-the-art facility would replace the plant’s existing paint shop and further modernize what Ford describes as one of its most important manufacturing operations.
For F-150 owners, the practical steps are straightforward: watch for a notification letter from Ford in the coming weeks, or check whether a specific VIN is covered using the automaker’s recall lookup. Any inspection and replacement of the fuel tank straps will be handled by dealerships free of charge once the recall is processed.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2026/09/15/ford-recalls-220000-f-150-trucks-due-to-fuel-tanks-coming-loose-falling-off/