Quick Facts:
- Topic: Ford tailgate recall for 30,123 F-150 and Super Duty trucks.
- Recall numbers: NHTSA 26V689 and Ford 26S78.
- Trucks covered: 2026-2027 F-150 and 2026 F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty.
- Build window: May 30 to June 16, 2026.
- Problem: An eyelet crimp on the left-side tailgate cable might come loose.
- Risk: Under a heavy load, the tailgate might drop onto the rear bumper.
- Fix: Dealers replace the cable at no charge.
- Key dates: VIN search December 7, interim letters from December 14, repair letters from January 18, 2027.
6 min read
In This Article
Ford Tailgate Recall Overview
The Ford tailgate recall covers 30,123 F-150 and Super Duty trucks built in a narrow window in 2026. Ford found an incomplete eyelet crimp on some left-side tailgate cables. Under a heavy load, the cable might pull free and the gate might drop onto the rear bumper. NHTSA lists the campaign as 26V689, and Ford calls it 26S78. Dealers will fix the cable at no charge.
However, Ford expects only about 2% of these trucks to carry a bad cable. A supplier ran two shifts with a broken crimping die shortly before the build window. As a result, 600 suspect cables reached Ford. Because Ford did not build the trucks in VIN order, you need to check your own VIN.
First, search your VIN on NHTSA.gov once the lookup opens on December 7, 2026. Until then, call Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or ask a dealer to read your VIN. Also, keep UTVs and similar heavy loads off a lowered gate. Ford’s filing names a UTV-sized load as the trigger.
Put heavy loads inside the bed and strap them down. The DC Cargo Mall 4-pack ratchet straps carry a 10,000 pound break strength and a 3,333 pound working load limit. Meanwhile, the Gladiator heavy duty truck bed cargo net holds loose gear under a 1,500 pound load rating.
Gear for securing heavy loads in the bed
Which Trucks the Ford Tailgate Recall Covers
Ford’s filing lists four models, and every build window ends June 16, 2026. The F-150 recall accounts for most of the population, with 18,412 trucks. Next, the three Super Duty models add 11,711 trucks, all from the 2026 model year.
| Model | Model years | Trucks | Build dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-150 | 2026-2027 | 18,412 | May 31 to June 16, 2026 |
| F-250 Super Duty | 2026 | 7,387 | May 30 to June 16, 2026 |
| F-350 Super Duty | 2026 | 3,537 | May 30 to June 16, 2026 |
| F-450 Super Duty | 2026 | 787 | May 30 to June 16, 2026 |
Ford lists the F-150 across two model years, but its build window still ends June 16, 2026. Notably, no 2027 trucks appear in the Super Duty recall. Therefore, build week alone does not show coverage. Use a VIN search or call Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Why the Left-Side Cable Fails and How Ford Found It
Here is what goes wrong on a bad cable. Each tailgate rides on a left and a right support cable. Specifically, the problem sits at the end of the left cable. Its bolt-end eyelet has an incomplete crimp, so the cable might detach under a heavy load. Ford traces the bad crimps to a broken die at its supplier in Bolivar, Ohio, Cable Manufacturing and Assembly.
Risk shows up when a heavy load sits on a lowered gate. A UTV is the filing’s example. The right cable is sound, yet alone it might not carry the full weight. As a result, the gate might drop onto the top of the rear bumper. The filing says it might come into contact with the customer.
Also, the trucks give no electronic warning. Ford says they show no cluster messages, warning lights or other electronic messaging, such as a dash alert. As of October 19, 2026, Ford reports zero warranty claims, zero field reports and no known accidents or injuries.
Ford’s own plant spotted the fault first. First, on June 13, 2026, operators at the Kentucky Truck Plant watched left cables separate during open-tailgate load testing. Then, two days later, the plant stopped shipments of 2026-2027 Super Duty and F-150 trucks. Ford’s field review committee approved the recall on October 13, four months to the day after the discovery.
Recall Timeline: VIN Search, Letters and Repair
Ford’s filing sets four dates, including the day VIN search opens. Dealers replace the left tailgate cable at no charge. In addition, the new cables meet the cable load rating specifications.
| Planned date | What happens |
|---|---|
| December 7, 2026 | VIN search opens on NHTSA.gov |
| December 14 to 18, 2026 | Interim owner letters go out |
| January 11, 2027 | Ford notifies dealers |
| January 18 to 22, 2027 | Repair letters go out |
A gap separates the two sets of letters. The interim letters only warn you, because the remedy is not yet available. Treat January as a target, not a promise, because our report on Ford recall delays found 22 recalls with late fixes averaged 198 days. Frequent gate use makes the wait harder, so keep heavy loads off the gate until your truck is repaired.
What This Means for You
Owners in the F-150 recall have the odds on their side. The filing estimates 2% of trucks carry a bad cable, roughly 600 trucks. However, Ford did not build these trucks in VIN order. Therefore, treat any truck from the build window as suspect until you check.
Likewise, Super Duty recall owners fall under the same 2% estimate. Anyone who hauls a UTV or similar load with the gate down matches the example in the filing. Instead of loading over the gate, keep heavy gear in the bed. The filing says a dropped gate might touch the customer, so keep people clear of a loaded gate.
Check for other open recalls while you are on the NHTSA site. Ford filed two other F-Series recalls in October. The Ford speedometer recall covers Super Duty and F-150 trucks, while the F-150 seat recall covers only F-150 pickups. Your VIN lookup lists every open recall on your truck.
When the repair letter arrives, ask the dealer when the cable is due and book the visit. Ford’s customer line at 1-866-436-7332 answers questions in the meantime. Finally, remember the whole truck has load limits. Our guide to truck payload limits shows how loads add up.
Moving weight off the tailgate starts with a different place for it. The CURT 18153 folding hitch cargo carrier holds up to 500 pounds on a 2-inch receiver. Super Duty trucks with a 2.5-inch receiver need the MICTUNING 2.5-to-2 inch hitch adapter to mount it. Inside the bed, the Keeper ratcheting cargo bar braces gear while you drive. Check your truck’s tongue weight rating first, because the carrier’s 500 pound figure is not your truck’s limit.
Gear for hauling without the tailgate
Final Thoughts
A Ford recall with only about 2% of 30,123 trucks at risk is easy to shrug off. I would not. A failed gate under a heavy load might touch you, and the truck gives no electronic warning.
The good news is the fix is simple and free. Dealers swap one cable, and Ford says the new part meets the load rating. However, the wait is real, with the remedy expected in January.
My advice is simple. First, search your VIN on December 7. Then, if your truck is covered, keep heavy loads off the gate until the repair is done. Next, book the repair as soon as the letter arrives. If no letter shows up, call Ford instead of assuming you are in the clear. The odds favor you, and one search settles it.
Ford Tailgate Recall FAQ
Which Ford trucks does the tailgate cable recall cover?
The recall covers 18,412 F-150 trucks from the 2026 and 2027 model years. In addition, it covers 11,711 Super Duty trucks from 2026, split across the F-250, F-350 and F-450. All were built within a window ending June 16, 2026.
How do I check my truck for the Ford tailgate recall?
Search your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls once the lookup opens on December 7, 2026. Meanwhile, call Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or ask a dealer. Dealers check the VIN against Ford’s OASIS database.
Does Ford pay for the tailgate cable repair?
Yes. Under this Ford recall, dealers replace the left-side cable at no charge. You pay nothing for the repair.
When will the tailgate cable repair be available?
Interim letters are planned first, from December 14 to 18. Ford plans to notify dealers on January 11, 2027. Then repair letters are planned for January 18 to 22. NHTSA’s notice anticipates the remedy in January 2027.
Is it safe to use the tailgate until Ford fixes it?
Because Ford’s filing sets no safe load limit, treat the gate with care. A UTV-sized load is the named trigger, and the trucks give no electronic warning. Therefore, keep heavy loads off the gate. The filing says a dropped gate might touch the customer, so keep people clear.
Related Reading
Sources: NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V689 and NHTSA recall lookup.