The 2026 Ford F-250 SD has 4 recalls, the most serious involving the drivetrain: the rear driveshaft can separate from the vehicle, and the right rear axle shaft can break, either of which cuts drive power without warning.
A separated driveshaft can leave the truck suddenly unable to accelerate or maintain speed on a highway. The axle shaft failure carries an additional risk: if the break happens while the vehicle is in park, the truck can roll away on its own. Both issues trace to the rear drivetrain and together represent the most serious safety concern on this vehicle. On the electrical side, the instrument panel cluster can fail to start up properly, leaving the driver without a speedometer, warning lights, or other critical readouts while driving. There is also a trailer wiring concern: a fault in the trailer light circuit can prevent brake lights and running lights from functioning on a towed trailer, making the trailer less visible to other drivers and reducing the driver's ability to signal braking to traffic behind.
The official notice
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 and 2023-2026 F-250 SD vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Safety Risk
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An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C37. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 31, 2026.
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft's friction weld may fail, causing the rear driveshaft to separate and sudden loss of engine power to the wheels.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the driveshaft serial number and replace the driveshaft if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module may lose communication with the vehicle, causing brake lights, turn signal lights, or brake function to stop working.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the integrated trailer module software, or the vehicle will receive a software update over-the-air. Both are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing, which could cause it to break.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the right rear axle shaft and replace it if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cluster may fail to display information when the vehicle starts up.
What the fix does
A software update will be installed in the instrument panel cluster at a dealership or remotely, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
