Ford is recalling 38,695 2023 Escape, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, and F-550 Sd vehicles under 23V506 for dark instrument panels. Free dealer repair.
Ford is recalling 38,695 2023 Escape, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, and F-550 Sd vehicles because an improperly soldered digital instrument panel cluster module can keep the instrument panel from lighting up. Without the panel, the driver loses critical safety information, including speedometer readings and warning lights; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The digital instrument panel cluster in the 2023 Ford Escape, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, and F-550 Sd is the screen and control module that lights the driver display. It shows information the driver relies on from the seat, including the vehicle's instrument readouts. The cluster depends on solid solder joints, which are small metal connections inside the module that carry electrical signals.
On affected vehicles, those solder joints were not formed correctly during production. A poor solder joint can break the electrical path inside the cluster module. When that happens, the instrument panel does not illuminate, so the driver loses the normal lit display instead of seeing the expected cluster information.
There is no warning sign before failure. The cluster can go blank when the solder joint opens, so an owner is not expected to notice a gradual symptom first.
Who's affected?
Covers Super Duty truck lines and the Escape, all tied to the instrument panel.
| 2023 Ford F-350 Sd | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2023 Ford Escape | instrument panel |
| 2023 Ford F-550 Sd | instrument panel |
| 2023 Ford F-450 Sd | instrument panel |
| 2023 Ford F-250 Sd | instrument panel |
| Units affected | 38,695 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
An inoperable instrument panel leaves the driver without critical safety information, including the speedometer and warning lights. There is no warning sign before failure, so drive cautiously and schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2023 Ford Escape, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, or F-550 Sd is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free module or instrument-panel replacement that restores the instrument panel display.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford sent one. If not, reference recall number 23V506 when you call.
- Use extra caution until the repair if the instrument panel goes dark; the speedometer and warning lights will not display.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician checks the digital instrument panel cluster and replaces the module or the instrument panel when the recall repair calls for it. Parts and labor are covered, so the dealer repair is free. Ford provided its standard reimbursement plan for owners who paid for this remedy before recall notification. If you already paid for an instrument panel cluster repair tied to this issue, contact Ford customer service or ask the dealer how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 14, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
|---|---|
| July 21, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
| July 24, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| July 24, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 14, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 4, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V506?
Recall 23V506 covers 38,695 2023 Ford Escape, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, and F-550 Sd vehicles with a digital instrument panel cluster module that was improperly soldered. The panel can fail to illuminate, hiding the speedometer or warning lights and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2023 Ford Escape, F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, F-450 Sd, or F-550 Sd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V506. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the instrument panel or module replacement. Reference Ford recall number 23C25 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Ford to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers will replace the module or instrument panel as necessary free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of visible driver information. If the instrument panel does not illuminate, the driver cannot see the speedometer or warning lights. Ford says that missing information increases the risk of a crash.
When were owners notified about recall 23V506?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on November 4, 2023. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then call a Ford dealer if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V506000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V506 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V506000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →