Ford Recalls 45,122 Vehicles and Modules; Truck Fix Due January 2027

45,122 vehicles or service modules are covered by three Ford safety recalls, but that combined figure represents three distinctly different problems. Certain trucks have a tailgate cable that can break under heavy loads, Lincoln hybrids can unexpectedly shift into neutral while moving, and replacement anti-lock brake modules installed in several older Ford and Lincoln models may operate incorrectly.

The largest campaign covers 30,123 Ford trucks, and it also presents the longest wait for a repair. Dealers will replace the affected left-side tailgate cable at no charge, but Ford does not expect the remedy to become available until January 2027. Initial owner letters are scheduled to begin Dec. 14, followed by another letter when replacement cables are ready.

A mechanical cable can release the tailgate

The truck recall includes certain 2026 and 2027 Ford F-150, F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty and F-450 Super Duty vehicles. Under certain heavy-load conditions, the left-side cable supporting the open tailgate can fail and allow the tailgate to fall onto the rear bumper.

Owners will not receive a cluster message, warning light or other electronic alert before this type of cable failure. That reflects the component’s mechanical role: although the truck contains extensive electronic monitoring, the recalled cable itself is a load-bearing element without an associated warning function. Ford reports no injuries or accidents caused by the defect.

Vehicle identification numbers covered by the truck campaign are scheduled to become searchable through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration beginning Dec. 17. The gap between the first notification and the expected January repair availability means affected owners may learn about the defect before dealers can complete the permanent remedy.

Corrosion can shift a moving hybrid into neutral

The second recall covers 11,623 Lincoln hybrids: 11,560 Nautilus Hybrid vehicles from the 2026 and 2027 model years and 63 Corsair Hybrid vehicles from the 2027 model year. According to the recall details for the hybrid campaign, corrosion on the transmission park-lock actuator circuit board can cause the vehicle to shift unexpectedly into neutral while driving.

An unexpected neutral state removes drive power even though the vehicle is moving, increasing crash risk. The defect illustrates how corrosion on a relatively small control board can affect the commanded state of a major propulsion component. Ford is aware of 15 related warranty claims in the United States and 106 worldwide, with no associated crashes, injuries or fires reported.

Dealers will replace the Integrated Park Module free of charge. Notification letters for affected hybrid owners are scheduled to begin Nov. 2, giving this campaign a more immediate remedy path than the truck cable recall.

Incorrect software affects replacement brake modules

The remaining count covers 3,376 incorrectly programmed anti-lock brake system service modules, rather than 3,376 newly identified vehicles. These modules carry one of five implicated part numbers and may have been installed during previous service work.

The affected population includes modules potentially fitted to 1,190 Ford Explorers from model years 2011 through 2015; 774 Ford Edges and Lincoln MKXs from 2013 through 2015; and 1,412 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators from 2012 through 2017.

Incorrect programming can prevent the anti-lock braking system from operating as intended. Under certain driving conditions, that can increase stopping distance and reduce vehicle stability. Anti-lock braking is part of the vehicle’s broader control system for managing wheel behavior during braking, so a programming defect can degrade safety performance without requiring a failed hydraulic component.

Dealers will inspect the modules and replace them when necessary at no charge. Ford reports 75 potentially related service-part warranty claims but no known crashes or injuries. Owner letters are scheduled to begin Nov. 30.

Owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Across the three campaigns, the repair strategy follows the failure mechanism: replace an overloaded cable, replace a corrosion-affected transmission control assembly, or inspect and replace an incorrectly programmed brake module. The most consequential scheduling constraint remains with the largest group 30,123 truck owners whose free cable replacement is not expected to be ready until January 2027.

By Thomas Caldwell — AMI’s senior editor for mechanical and mobility engineering, covering vehicle electronics, systems integration, electrification, chassis systems, propulsion, and safety policy.