Recall 25V626 affects 115,539 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Sd, F-250 Sd, and F-450 Sd trucks for steering-column shaft detachment. Free repair at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 115,539 2020-2021 F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, and F-450 Sd trucks because the steering column upper shaft can detach from the steering column. A detached shaft can cause loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash, and Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steering column upper shaft on 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Sd, F-250 Sd, and F-450 Sd trucks is part of the link between the steering wheel and the steering gear. When you turn the wheel, this shaft transfers that movement down the column so the front wheels respond. It has to stay locked together under normal steering loads.
On affected trucks, the upper shaft hard slider does not meet Ford's anti-pull apart load specification. That means the shaft does not have enough resistance to being pulled apart inside the steering column assembly. If it separates, the steering wheel is no longer reliably connected to the rest of the steering system, and the driver can lose steering control.
There is no warning sign before failure. Ford says there are no instrument cluster messages or other alerts that warn the driver before the steering column upper shaft separates.
Who's affected?
Covers the F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, and F-450 Sd across the 2020 and 2021 model years, all tied to the steering column upper shaft.
| 2020 Ford F-350 Sd | steering column |
|---|---|
| 2021 Ford F-350 Sd | steering column |
| 2020 Ford F-250 Sd | steering column |
| 2021 Ford F-450 Sd | steering column |
| 2021 Ford F-250 Sd | steering column |
| 2020 Ford F-450 Sd | steering column |
| Units affected | 115,539 |
| 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 your specific truck is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
If the upper steering shaft separates, the driver can lose steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no instrument cluster message or other warning before separation, so treat any steering looseness or unusual steering feel as a reason to stop and call a Ford dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Sd, F-250 Sd, or F-450 Sd is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free steering-column inspection and upper-shaft repair that fixes the shaft-detachment risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 25V626 and Ford recall 25S94 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection and repair are complete, and stop driving if steering control changes.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the steering column and checks the upper shaft. If the upper shaft needs repair or replacement, the technician completes that work at no charge under the recall. Parts and labor are covered. Ford uses its general reimbursement plan for this campaign, so documented out-of-pocket steering column repairs paid before the recall notice are handled through that plan. Bring prior repair paperwork and payment receipts to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 19, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 23, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| September 23, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 23, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 6, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 20, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V626?
Recall 25V626 covers 115,539 2020-2021 Ford F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, and F-450 Sd vehicles with a steering column upper shaft that can detach and cause a loss of steering control. Ford dealers will inspect the steering column and repair or replace the upper shaft for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Ford F-250 Sd, F-350 Sd, or F-450 Sd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 25V626. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the steering column inspection and any needed upper shaft repair or replacement. Reference Ford recall number 25S94 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Ford to complete the recall remedy at no cost. A franchised Ford dealer will inspect the steering column and repair or replace the upper shaft as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. Ford says the steering column upper shaft can detach from the steering column, and NHTSA campaign 25V626 states that a loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
When will Ford notify owners?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on February 20, 2026. If you bought the truck used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether recall 25V626 applies. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Ford dealer if your truck is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V626000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V626 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V626000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (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 →