Ford Recalls 41,748 Expedition and Super Duty Vehicles Over Contaminated LED Headlight Chip

Last updated: October 5, 2026

Ford Motor Company is recalling 41,748 vehicles in the United States because a contaminated LED chip inside certain headlight assemblies can cause exterior lights to dim or stop working. The recall covers certain 2025-2027 Ford Expedition SUVs and 2026 F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty trucks. Ford F-150 models are not included.

Short answer for owners: the repair is free. There is no lawsuit, settlement, or claim form tied to this recall. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls (searchable VIN data is expected from October 26, 2026) or call Ford at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall 26C43.

Quick Facts: Ford Recall 26C43 / NHTSA 26V606000

Detail	Information
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
NHTSA campaign number	26V606000 (also written 26V-606)
Ford recall number	26C43
Report date to NHTSA	September 22, 2026
Vehicles potentially affected	41,748
Models	2025-2027 Expedition; 2026 F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 Super Duty
Component	Exterior lighting: headlights
Defect	Contaminated LED chip in headlight assemblies
Federal standard	FMVSS No. 108 (Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment)
Safety risk	Loss of exterior lighting reduces visibility and increases crash risk
Remedy	Free dealer inspection and headlight assembly replacement as needed
Owner letters	Expected to begin mailing October 26, 2026
Official recall lookup	NHTSA.gov/recalls (VIN search)
Ford customer service	1-866-436-7332
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline	1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153)
Class action / settlement	None. No claim form exists
Crashes or injuries reported	Ford reports none as of the filing

Which Vehicles Are Recalled?

Model	Vehicles
2025-2027 Ford Expedition	13,298
2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty	17,512
2026 Ford F-350 Super Duty	10,295
2026 Ford F-450 Super Duty	523
2026 Ford F-550 Super Duty	120
Total	41,748

Expedition production dates run roughly from June 24, 2025 to July 2, 2026. Super Duty production dates run generally from August 4, 2025 to August 4, 2026.

Not every vehicle of these models and years is included. The recall covers only vehicles that may have received the affected LED chips, based on supplier data. Your VIN, not your model year, determines whether your vehicle is covered.

What Is Wrong With the Headlights?

LED chips in some headlamp assemblies were exposed to contamination at the chip supplier’s manufacturing facility. Depending on the headlamp type (LED reflector or LED projector) and vehicle:

• Super Duty trucks may have dim or inoperative daytime running lights and parking lights, and/or low or high beams.
• Expedition SUVs may have dim or inoperative low beams and/or high beams.

If the low or high beams stop working, a dashboard indicator light will turn on. Because lighting could fail, the affected vehicles may not meet FMVSS No. 108.

Not every affected vehicle will fail. Ford reports six warranty claims and six field reports on six unique VINs, and no accidents or injuries related to the condition as of its filing.

Why Is This a Safety Risk?

Exterior lights help you see at night and in bad weather, and they help other drivers see you. Losing low beams, high beams, parking lights, or daytime running lights can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

How Will Ford Fix It?

1. A Ford or Lincoln dealer inspects the left and right headlight assemblies.
2. If the condition is found, the assemblies are replaced.
3. The work is free of charge.

Do not pay a dealer for the recall repair itself. If a dealer refuses or tries to charge, contact Ford customer service and, if needed, report it to NHTSA.

If you already paid for a related repair, Ford follows a general reimbursement plan on file with NHTSA. Keep your receipts and contact Ford customer service to ask about reimbursement.

What Should Owners Do Now?

1. Find your 17-character VIN (driver-side dashboard, door-jamb label, registration, or insurance card).
2. Check NHTSA.gov/recalls. Searchable VIN data for this recall is scheduled to begin October 26, 2026. You can also call Ford or ask a dealer to check your VIN.
3. Watch for the letter. Ford expects to begin mailing notices October 26, 2026. If you have not received one, do not assume you are unaffected. Use the VIN lookup.
4. Do not wait if lights are failing. If a headlight, high beam, parking light, or daytime running light is not working, have the vehicle inspected promptly and mention recall 26C43 / NHTSA 26V606000. You can also check all forward lighting functions yourself.
5. If lights fail while driving, pull over safely when you can and use your hazard lights. Avoid driving at night or in low visibility until the vehicle is repaired.
6. Keep records: recall letters, repair orders, and receipts.

Can I Keep Driving My Vehicle?

Ford’s recall materials do not describe a stop-driving instruction, but they do describe a safety risk. Follow the instructions in your recall notice or from Ford or your dealer, and get the vehicle inspected as soon as the remedy is available.

Is There a Class Action Lawsuit?

A recall is not a lawsuit. This recall provides no settlement payment or claim form. No class action tied to this specific defect should be assumed to exist unless a court filing establishes one. If you suffered an injury or significant financial loss because of a vehicle defect, that is a separate legal question that can depend on your facts and state law, and a licensed attorney can advise you.

For another Ford campaign, see Ford Recalls 1.4 Million F-150 Trucks Over Unexpected Downshift Crash Risk.

Key Dates

Date	Event
May to September 2026	Ford reviews warranty claims and supplier data
September 15, 2026	Ford’s Field Review Committee approves the field action
September 22, 2026	Ford submits its Part 573 Safety Recall Report to NHTSA
September 29 to 30, 2026	NHTSA acknowledges the filing; documents are posted
October 26, 2026	Owner letters expected to begin; VIN lookup expected on NHTSA.gov
Ongoing	Free dealer inspections and replacements

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vehicles are recalled? 41,748 potentially affected vehicles.

Which vehicles are included? Certain 2025-2027 Ford Expedition and 2026 F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. F-150 models are not part of this recall.

What is the defect? A contaminated LED chip in certain headlight assemblies that can cause lighting functions to dim or fail.

What are the recall numbers? NHTSA campaign 26V606000 and Ford recall 26C43.

Is the repair free? Yes. Inspection and any needed headlight assembly replacement cost nothing.

When will I get a letter? Ford expects to begin mailing October 26, 2026.

Can I check my VIN now? NHTSA’s searchable VIN data for this recall is expected beginning October 26, 2026. You can contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 sooner.

Does every 2025-2027 Expedition or 2026 Super Duty have the defect? No. Only specific vehicles are included. Verify with your VIN.

Were there crashes or injuries? Ford reported none as of its September 2026 filing.

Can I get money or join a class action? There is no claim form or settlement tied to this recall.

What if my lights have already failed? Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer right away and reference recall 26C43 / NHTSA 26V606000.

Bottom Line

Ford is recalling 41,748 Expedition and Super Duty vehicles because contaminated LED chips can cause headlight functions to fail. The fix is free. Check your VIN rather than relying on model year, get the inspection scheduled once your vehicle is confirmed, and do not ignore lighting problems in the meantime.

Sources

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recall Campaign 26V606000 and Part 573 Safety Recall Report submitted by Ford Motor Company (September 22, 2026): https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
2. NHTSA acknowledgment letter, Campaign 26V606000 (September 29, 2026).
3. Ford Motor Company, Recall 26C43; Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332.
4. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment (49 CFR 571.108).

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Recall information can change as manufacturers and NHTSA update their records. Verify your vehicle using its VIN and follow the latest instructions from Ford and NHTSA. AllAboutLawyer.com is a consumer legal information site, not a law firm.

Researched and written by the AllAboutLawyer.com editorial team. Last reviewed October 5, 2026.