Ford Recalls 2025 F-53 and F-59 Vehicles Over Brake Light Switch Defect

Source: NHTSA · United States

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Ford Motor Company is recalling 462 vehicles because brake lights may fail to illuminate or activate unexpectedly, increasing the risk of crashes and vehicle rollaway.

What this NHTSA vehicle recall tells you, and what most readers miss

This notice was issued by NHTSA on February 11, 2026 and geographically references United States. Its severity classification of "high" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken — "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to — Vehicle Recalls — determines the regulatory framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, recalls, evacuations) are available to affected individuals and who holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.

Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to read it as a data point about the issuing system: how quickly NHTSA detected the hazard, how precise the geographic or product-identifier scope is, and whether similar notices have clustered in the same category or region in the last 90 days. Cluster patterns frequently precede a broader regulatory action — a single localized NHTSA vehicle recall is isolated; three of them within a quarter often indicate a supply-chain, infrastructure, or seasonal driver that will keep producing notices until something structural changes.

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What Happened

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2025 F-53 and F-59 vehicles due to an incorrectly installed stop light switch. This defect causes the exterior brake lights to either illuminate unexpectedly or fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is activated. Consequently, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, which governs lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Which Products Are Affected

The recall affects a total of 462 units. The specific models involved are:

  • 2025 Ford F-53
  • 2025 Ford F-59

Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) for the affected units became searchable on the NHTSA website starting January 22, 2026.

What You Should Do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop light switch free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's internal reference number for this recall is 26C01.

Why This Matters

Brake lights that do not function correctly increase the risk of a crash because trailing drivers may not be alerted when the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Furthermore, this defect may allow the vehicle to be shifted out of the "park" position without the brake pedal being applied, which increases the risk of a vehicle rollaway.

Source

NHTSA Campaign Number 26V025000

Original source: NHTSA Official Notice ↗

All Vehicle Recalls →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NHTSA vehicle recall.

What is this NHTSA vehicle recall about?
Ford Motor Company is recalling 462 vehicles because brake lights may fail to illuminate or activate unexpectedly, increasing the risk of crashes and vehicle rollaway.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by NHTSA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects United States. Check with NHTSA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Vehicle Recalls updates?
Browse the full Vehicle Recalls feed on Areazine at areazine.com/recalls/vehicles/ for the latest updates from NHTSA and other agencies.