Ford’s latest batch of Ranger pickups is heading back to the shop after federal safety officials warned that wiring tucked above the driver’s head can rub through, short out and potentially spark a fire in the A‑pillar. The recall covers about 140,000 Rangers from the 2024 to 2026 model years and calls for dealers to inspect the wiring, update the trucks’ body‑control‑module software and replace any damaged harnesses. Ford says all of that work will be done at no cost to owners.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the campaign covers 140,201 vehicles and focuses on wiring in the sun‑visor or headliner area that can be damaged, create an electrical short and ignite a fire in the A‑pillar area, increasing the risk of injury or a crash, as reported by Reuters. Regulators say the sun‑visor or headliner wiring harnesses may be routed incorrectly or wrapped with tape that is too thick, which can lead to chafing and damaged wires.
Dealers are being instructed to inspect how the harness is routed, check for any signs of wear or damage, apply a body‑control‑module software update to limit power to the sun‑visor lamp after repeated trouble codes, and replace any compromised wiring, according to Cars.com. Interim letters alerting owners are scheduled to start going out on April 27, with a full repair plan expected later this summer. Until then, owners can punch their VIN into the lookup tool on NHTSA.gov or call Ford’s recall line to see if their truck is covered.
How the wiring can start a fire
A safety report cited by industry outlets points to two main problems: protective tape on the headliner circuit that was too thick and routing that positioned the harness where it could rub on metal. Over time, that rubbing can chew through the wire insulation, cause arcing and lead to smoke or, in rare cases, a fire, according to Carscoops. Ford’s internal notes on the campaign reference only a small number of warranty and field reports so far, and no injuries have been reported.
What owners should do now
If you drive a 2024 to 2026 Ranger, step one is to run your VIN through the NHTSA lookup tool or Ford’s recall page to confirm whether your truck is included and follow the instructions provided. Interim notices are on the way to owners, and dealers will handle inspection and repairs for free, Cars.com notes. For questions, Ford’s customer service line is 1‑866‑436‑7332, and NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline is 1‑888‑327‑4236.
Why this matters
This Ranger campaign lands in the middle of a busy recall year for Ford, including a February recall covering millions of trucks and SUVs that drew extra regulatory scrutiny, as reported in a February action covering millions of trucks and SUVs. That stack of repairs has kept service bays crowded and left some owners juggling multiple recall notices and appointments. NHTSA is keeping tabs on how quickly fixes roll out and whether the remedies actually resolve the underlying defects.
Owners who suspect their Ranger may be affected should check their VIN and schedule service rather than waiting for warning lights or strange smells to show up. This story will be updated as Ford and NHTSA release more information.
