Recall 26V235 affects 4,351 2025-2026 Ford F-53 and F-59 vehicles for missing axle hardware. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
Ford is recalling 4,351 2025-2026 F-53 and F-59 vehicles because the front axle hub assembly can be missing the spindle nut and cotter pin. That missing hardware can damage the brake system or let a wheel detach, causing loss of vehicle control; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front axle hub on the 2025-2026 Ford F-53 and F-59 holds the wheel end in place on the spindle. The spindle nut tightens that hub assembly, and the cotter pin locks the nut so it stays secured while the vehicle moves, brakes, and turns.
On affected vehicles, the spindle nut and cotter pin were missed during assembly while the plant used a manual installation process instead of its normal automated tool. Without those parts, the front axle hub is not secured as designed. The wheel end can loosen, which can damage nearby brake components or lead to wheel detachment.
Before that damage occurs, owners can notice noise, vibration, or harshness from the front wheel area. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light can also turn on in the instrument cluster.
Who's affected?
Covers the F-53 and F-59 chassis across the 2025 and 2026 model years, with wheel hardware listed for each. VINs became searchable on April 16, 2026.
| 2025 Ford F-53 | wheel hardware |
|---|---|
| 2026 Ford F-53 | wheel hardware |
| 2025 Ford F-59 | wheel hardware |
| 2026 Ford F-59 | wheel hardware |
| Units affected | 4,351 |
| 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?
A missing spindle nut creates a risk of brake system damage or wheel detachment. Either failure can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. Watch for noise, vibration, harshness, or an ABS warning light, and contact a Ford dealer if they appear. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Ford F-53 or F-59 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Ford's remedy letter before scheduling the final dealer repair.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions, and reference recall number 26V235 (Ford recall 26S27).
- Ask a franchised Ford dealer about the free front axle hub inspection that checks for the missing spindle nut and cotter pin once the remedy opens.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop driving if you notice brake problems, wheel looseness, vibration, or handling changes.
What happens at the repair
Ford has sent interim owner letters while the final repair is being prepared. Once the remedy opens, a Ford technician will inspect the front axle hub assembly and replace the front axle spindle nut and cotter pin as needed. Parts and labor will be free under the recall. Ford lists its standard reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid for a related repair before the recall notice, keep the invoice and repair documentation so Ford customer service or the dealer can review the claim under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 14, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 16, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| April 16, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 16, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 27, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V235?
Recall 26V235 covers 4,351 2025-2026 Ford F-53 and F-59 vehicles with a front axle hub assembly that lacks the spindle nut and cotter pin. Ford dealers will inspect the front axle and replace the missing parts for free when the remedy is available.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Ford F-53 or F-59 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V235. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask about the front axle spindle nut and cotter pin inspection. Reference Ford recall number 26S27 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Ford dealers will inspect the front axle hub assembly and replace the spindle nut and cotter pin as needed, free of charge.
Is it safe to drive a Ford F-53 or F-59 with this recall?
Ford has not issued a do-not-drive instruction in the supplied recall record. The risk is serious: a missing spindle nut can damage the brake system or let a wheel detach, causing loss of vehicle control and increasing crash risk. Check your VIN before scheduling service.
When will Ford notify owners about recall 26V235?
Ford expected to mail interim owner letters on April 27, 2026, to explain the safety risk. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Your VIN decides whether your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V235000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V235 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V235000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →