Ford Recall Check by VIN & OTA Updates
Ford recall and over-the-air update center for Chester-area owners
To check any Ford for open recalls, enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ford.com/support/recalls, or open the Ford app (formerly FordPass). Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer. Some are fixed by an over-the-air update while the vehicle sits in your driveway; the rest need a service visit, which you can book with us at 804-748-2253.
Ford issued more than 150 recall campaigns in 2025, and 2026 has been just as busy. Most are small, many are software, and a growing number are fixed over the air. This page shows how to check your Ford, the biggest campaigns open right now for the models we see most in Chester, and what to do when the letter says the fix isn't ready yet. We update it every month.
Check any Ford for recalls in 30 seconds
- Find the VIN. It's the 17-character number on the driver's side of the dashboard (look through the windshield), on the driver's door jamb, and on your registration and insurance cards.
- Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ford.com/support/recalls. In the Ford app, open your vehicle and look for recalls under vehicle status or messages.
- Read the result. "Recall incomplete" means the fix is available and you should book it. "Remedy not yet available" means the problem is confirmed but the fix isn't ready; follow the steps in your letter until it is.
- Book the repair. Call 804-748-2253 or schedule online and mention the recall number. If the fix comes over the air, the next section explains how to install it at home.
Tip from our service drive: check your VIN every few months and before any long I-95 trip. New recalls are added all year, and a VIN usually becomes searchable a few weeks after Ford files the recall.
The biggest Ford recalls open right now
These are the largest recent campaigns for the Fords we service most. It isn't every Ford recall, and a model year alone doesn't tell you whether your vehicle is included, so always check the VIN. Status is as of November 9, 2026, from Ford's filings with NHTSA.
| Recall | Vehicles | What can happen | The fix | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V104 Trailer module software (Ford 26C10) | 2021-2026 F-150; 2022-2026 Super Duty, Maverick and Expedition; 2024-2026 Ranger; 2026 E-Transit | Trailer lights and, on some setups, trailer brakes can stop working while towing. | Software update, over the air or at a dealer | Fix available now. Install it over the air or have us do it. |
| 26V402 Transmission park system (Ford 26S48) | 2021 F-150, 2020-2021 Explorer, 2018-2021 Expedition | Park system parts can be damaged, so the vehicle may move while in Park. | Software update plus a transmission inspection and repair | Fix not ready yet. Interim letters went out in August; repair letters are planned in phases into spring 2027. Until then, follow the steps in your interim letter. |
| 26V653 Instrument cluster | 2026 F-150; 2025-2026 Super Duty | The speedometer and tachometer may read incorrectly. | Instrument cluster replaced at a dealer | Repair letters planned for Dec. 7-11, 2026. |
| 26V689 Tailgate cable | 2026-2027 F-150; 2026 F-250, F-350 and F-450 | A tailgate support cable may fail under load. | Dealer repair | VINs searchable starting Dec. 7, 2026; owner letters planned for Dec. 14-18. |
| 26V299 Bronco hardtop (Ford 26S32) | 2021-2022 Bronco with the molded-in-color hardtop | Sections of the outer roof skin can crack and come off while driving. | Hardtop inspected and replaced as needed | Repair letters planned for Nov. 5, 2026. Book now. |
| 26V091 Escape plug-in hybrid battery (Ford 25SC4) | 2022-2026 Escape Plug-In Hybrid | A high-voltage battery cell can short, shutting off propulsion and, in some cases, causing a fire. | Battery and hybrid control software updated at a dealer | Fix available now. Until it’s done, follow the letter: limit the charge level and use Auto EV mode. |
| 26V417 Mach-E rear differential (Ford 26S50) | 2021-2023 Mustang Mach-E rear-wheel drive | The rear differential pinion shaft can break, causing loss of drive power or rollaway. | Rear differential inspected and repaired or replaced | Check your VIN for current status. |
| 26V487 Mach-E window trim (Ford 26S56) | 2023-2025 Mustang Mach-E | Rear quarter window trim can come loose and fall off. | Being developed | Fix not ready yet. Ford will mail a second letter when it is. |
Summaries are based on Ford's Part 573 recall reports to NHTSA. Your recall letter and the NHTSA listing for your VIN are the final word on what applies to your vehicle.
Over the air or a service visit?
Fords with SYNC 4 or SYNC 4A can receive Ford Power-Up software updates over the air, and Ford uses them to fix some recalls, like the trailer module campaign above. Your recall letter tells you which kind of fix applies.
If the fix comes over the air
- Leave Automatic Updates on (it's on from the factory) and set an update schedule on the SYNC screen under Settings, then Software Updates.
- The update downloads through the vehicle's built-in modem or your home Wi-Fi. Connecting to Wi-Fi in the driveway can speed it up.
- Some installs need the vehicle parked and off, sometimes for up to an hour. You'll get a reminder in the vehicle and in the Ford app first.
- Confirm it worked in the Ford app or on the SYNC screen. The recall can keep showing as open for a while after a successful update.
If it needs a visit
Mechanical fixes, part replacements and inspections are done in the service drive. If an over-the-air update won't install, or your Ford doesn't have SYNC 4, we can install any software recall here at no charge.
Your recall letter, explained
- An interim letter means Ford has confirmed the problem but the fix isn't ready. It tells you how to drive safely in the meantime. A second letter follows when parts or software are available.
- A remedy letter means the fix is ready. Call to book; it's free.
- "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" is the most serious kind of notice. Don't drive the vehicle; call us or Ford at 1-866-436-7332. For recent do-not-drive recalls, such as the 2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick suspension recall (Ford 26S36), Ford has offered complimentary towing to the dealer.
- Bought it used? Recall letters go to the registered owner. If you just bought the vehicle, check the VIN yourself; don't wait for mail.
When parts are on back order
For big campaigns, parts often arrive in waves after the remedy letters go out. Call us with your VIN and we'll check whether parts are here, put you on the list if they aren't, and call you when they arrive.
Loaners and rentals for recall repairs are handled case by case, so ask when you book. Vehicles bought here with the Haley Advantage get a loaner during major service.
Already paid for a repair that a recall later covered? Ford has a reimbursement plan for recall repairs. Bring your receipt and we'll help you file.
Haley Advantage benefits apply to qualified vehicles only; see dealer for details.
How fast we fix it
Repair times vary with parts availability and the extent of the repair. A software update is usually much quicker than an inspection or a part replacement, and we'll give you an estimate when you book.
To make it quick: book online or call ahead with your VIN so we can check parts before you arrive, and let us know about any other service you need so we can do it in the same visit. Service is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shopping for a used Ford?
Every used vehicle we sell is inspected and checked for open recalls before it's listed. Wherever you shop, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy, and ask the seller to show the recall work was done. Browse our used inventory.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my Ford has a recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ford.com/support/recalls, or check the Ford app (formerly FordPass). The VIN is on the driver's side of the dashboard and on your registration card.
Do Ford recall repairs cost anything?
No. Safety recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, including parts and labor.
Do I have to take my Ford back to the dealer where I bought it?
No. Any Ford dealer can do recall work, including Haley Ford on Route 1 in Chester. Call 804-748-2253 to book.
Can a Ford recall be fixed over the air?
Some can. Fords with SYNC 4 or SYNC 4A can install certain recall fixes as Ford Power-Up software updates. Your recall letter says whether yours is one. If the update won't install, we can do it at the dealer for free.
My recall letter says the fix isn't available yet. What should I do?
Follow the safety steps in the letter, keep driving if it says you can, and watch for a second letter when the fix is ready. You can also call us with your VIN and we'll tell you when parts arrive.
What does a "Do Not Drive" recall mean?
It means the vehicle shouldn't be driven until it's repaired. Call your Ford dealer or Ford at 1-866-436-7332; for recent do-not-drive recalls Ford has offered free towing to the dealer.
Does Haley Ford check used cars for recalls before selling them?
Yes. Every used vehicle we sell is inspected and checked for open recalls before it's listed.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these sources, checked November 9, 2026. We update this page monthly with new campaigns and status changes.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Check for recalls by VIN.” www.nhtsa.gov/recalls VIN lookup.
- Ford Motor Company, “Recalls.” www.ford.com/support/recalls/ Ford VIN lookup.
- NHTSA, “Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V402.” static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V402-1380.pdf Transmission park system: vehicles, remedy and schedule.
- NHTSA, “Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V091.” static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V091-7645.pdf Escape PHEV battery: remedy and interim steps.
- NHTSA, “Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V299.” static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V299-2713.pdf Bronco hardtop: remedy schedule.
- Digital Dealer, “Ford recall signals operational and retail impact for dealers.” digitaldealer.com/news/ford-recall-signals-operational-and-retail-impact-for-dealers/169587/ Trailer module recall 26V104.
- WBIW, “NHTSA issues major vehicle recalls affecting Ford, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, and more.” www.wbiw.com/2026/10/26/nhtsa-issues-major-vehicle-recalls-affecting-ford-porsche-subaru-toyota-and-more/ Instrument cluster recall 26V653.
- Pickup Truck + SUV Talk, “2026-2027 Ford F-series Recall: 30K Tailgate Cable May Fail.” pickuptrucktalk.com/2026/11/2026-2027-ford-f-series-recall-30k-tailgate-cable-may-fail/ Tailgate cable recall 26V689 schedule.
- Electrek, “Ford recalls nearly 90,000 Mustang Mach-E EVs because part of the trim can fall off.” electrek.co/?p=479888 Mach-E trim recall 26V487.
- Ford Motor Company, “Do-Not-Drive Advisory for Certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick Vehicles.” www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articles/2026/do-not-drive-advisory-21-26-bronco-sport-and-maverick-vehicles Complimentary towing for do-not-drive recalls.
- Ford Motor Company, “What are Ford Power-Up software updates?.” www.ford.com/support/how-tos/ford-technology/software-updates/what-are-ford-power-up-software-updates/ Over-the-air updates.
- Ford Authority, “Ford Replaces FordPass As Blue Oval's Official Ownership App.” fordauthority.com/2025/10/ford-replaces-fordpass-as-blue-ovals-official-ownership-app/amp FordPass renamed the Ford app.
Recall information is a summary of public filings and may change. Your recall notice and the NHTSA listing for your VIN control. Haley Advantage benefits apply to qualified vehicles only; see dealer for details.
Got an open recall? Let's fix it.