Recall 26V238 covers 140,201 2024-2026 Ford Ranger trucks for damaged A-pillar wiring that can short and cause fire. Free Ford dealer repair once available.
Ford is recalling 140,201 2024-2026 Ranger trucks because sun visor or headliner wiring can be out of position or wrapped with too much tape, damaging the wires. Damaged wires can short and cause a fire in the A-pillar area, and the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The sun visor and headliner wiring harnesses in 2024-2026 Ford Ranger trucks carry power to interior lights, including the sun visor mirror lights and overhead console lights. A wiring harness is a bundled set of wires that should sit securely behind trim panels and pass through body openings without rubbing metal.
On affected Rangers, the harness tape is too thick in some places, or the harness is not positioned correctly during installation. That can leave the harness caught in a sheet metal opening or pressed against metal. When the wire insulation is damaged, exposed wiring can short against the body. Repeated Body Control Module restarts after the short can lead to arcing and soot buildup over time, with smoke, melting, or fire.
Watch for flickering or inoperative sun visor mirror lights and overhead console lights. Those light problems are the warning signs Ford identified before a smoking, melting, or fire event.
Who's affected?
Covers 2024, 2025, and 2026 Ranger pickups tied to the same headliner wiring harness and two component categories.
| 2024 Ford Ranger | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2024 Ford Ranger | body or structural component |
| 2025 Ford Ranger | electrical system |
| 2025 Ford Ranger | body or structural component |
| 2026 Ford Ranger | electrical system |
| 2026 Ford Ranger | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 140,201 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 4 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A short in the A-pillar area can cause smoke, melting, or fire, increasing injury or crash risk. Flickering or inoperative sunvisor mirror lights and overhead console lights are warning signs. Treat those signs as a reason to park the truck and call a Ford dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2024-2026 Ford Ranger is included in this recall.
- Watch for Ford's phased owner letter before scheduling; Ford says additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer once Ford says your phase is ready for the free wiring inspection, body control module software update, and harness replacement that fixes damaged sun visor or headliner wiring.
- Reference recall number 26V238 and Ford recall 26S29 when you call the dealer or Ford customer service.
- Park away from structures if you smell smoke, see electrical problems, or notice heat near the A-pillar, then call a Ford dealer before driving again.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is not open yet. Ford says this campaign is phased by model year, with additional owner letters planned once the remedy is available in August 2026. When it opens, a Ford technician will inspect the sun visor and headliner wiring for damage, update the body control module software, and replace damaged wiring harnesses as needed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ford's standard reimbursement plan applies if you already paid for a related repair before the recall notice. Keep repair invoices and payment records for the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 14, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 17, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| April 17, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 17, 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 26V238?
Recall 26V238 covers 140,201 2024-2026 Ford Ranger trucks with sun visor or headliner wiring that can be damaged by improper positioning or excessive tape thickness. Damaged wires can short and cause a fire in the A-pillar area. Ford dealers will inspect the wiring, update software, and replace damaged harnesses for free.
What should I do if my 2024-2026 Ford Ranger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 26V238. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask whether your repair phase is open. Reference Ford recall number 26S29 when you call. The dealer repair is free once Ford opens the remedy for your phase.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Ford's recall filing says all repairs will be performed free of charge, and federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. The dealer will inspect the wiring, update the body control module software, and replace damaged wiring harnesses as needed.
Is it safe to drive my Ford Ranger before the repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety concern is still serious: damaged wiring can create an electrical short and cause a fire in the A-pillar area, increasing the risk of injury or a crash. If you smell smoke, see electrical issues, or feel unsafe, call a Ford dealer before driving.
When will Ford notify owners about recall 26V238?
Ford mailed interim safety-risk letters on April 27, 2026. The phased repair notices start with 2025 Ranger owners the week of May 31, 2026, followed by 2026 owners the week of June 29, 2026, and 2024 owners the week of July 27, 2026. Additional remedy letters are anticipated in August 2026.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V238000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V238 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V238000 |
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 →