Ford F-150 Recall 2026, 3,745 Trucks Recalled in Australia Over Fuel Tank Strap Fire Risk, How to Check Your VIN and What U.S. Owners Should Do

Important geographic note: This recall was published by Australia’s official vehicle-recall regulator (recall REC-006747), not by U.S. NHTSA. The 3,745-vehicle figure applies to the Australian recall only. U.S. owners should check their own VIN with NHTSA, because an Australian recall number does not prove that a U.S.-market truck is covered.

Ford Australia has recalled 3,745 certain 2023-2026 Ford F-150 vehicles because a fuel-tank strap may not have been adequately secured to the frame rail. If the strap detaches, the tank could shift and fuel could leak, creating a fire risk if it meets an ignition source. Ford says the inspection and repair are free at an authorised dealer. No cash payout or general refund program has been announced.

Quick Facts: Ford F-150 Fuel-Tank Strap Recall

Detail	Official recall information
Official recall notice	Australian Government Vehicle Recalls, REC-006747: https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-006747
Claim form / cash payout	None. The remedy is a free inspection and repair
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Ltd
Vehicles	Certain 2023-2026 Ford F-150 vehicles
Number affected	3,745
Australian recall number	REC-006747
Ford campaign number	26S69
Recall published	October 16, 2026
Defect	Fuel-tank strap may not be adequately secured to the frame rail
Main hazard	Strap detachment, fuel leakage and possible fire
Possible consequences	Injury or death to occupants, other road users or bystanders, and property damage
Remedy	Free inspection and repair by an authorised Ford dealer
Owner notification	Ford says affected owners will be contacted in writing
Ford Australia contact	13 36 73
Deadline to schedule repair	None specified in the notice
U.S. recall	Not established by this notice; check NHTSA

What Is Wrong With the Fuel-Tank Strap?

A fuel-tank strap is a metal support that holds the fuel tank against the vehicle’s frame. According to the Australian notice, a manufacturing defect means the strap on affected F-150s may not have been adequately secured to the frame rail.

If a strap detaches while the vehicle is moving, the tank could move out of position and fuel could leak. Leaked fuel is a fire hazard if it contacts an external ignition source. This is a fuel-system and mounting-hardware issue, not a software problem.

What the notice does not say: It does not say every affected truck has a loose strap, that every truck will leak, or that a fire has occurred in each vehicle. It also does not publish a count of crashes, fires or injuries tied to this recall. Do not assume those numbers.

A driver generally cannot tell whether a strap is properly secured by looking at the truck from outside, so the right response is to verify the VIN and book the prescribed inspection.

Which Trucks Are Included?

The notice covers certain 2023-2026 Ford F-150 vehicles, with 3,745 listed. That does not mean every F-150 from those model years is included. Recalls usually depend on specific VINs or production circumstances. The official recall record provides a downloadable VIN list, which is more reliable than guessing from model year or trim. The summary does not give a complete production-date range, so do not rely on an estimated build window.

How to check your VIN (Australia)

1. Open the official recall notice (REC-006747) and use the VIN list.
2. Or use Ford Australia’s recall and service action lookup and enter your 17-character VIN.
3. If your truck is listed, contact Ford or an authorised Ford dealer to arrange the free inspection and repair.

Your VIN is usually at the base of the windscreen on the driver’s side, on the vehicle identification label, or on registration and insurance paperwork. Check all 17 characters; a typo can give a wrong result.

How to check your VIN (United States)

1. Find your 17-character VIN.
2. Enter it in NHTSA’s recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or use Ford’s U.S. recall tool.
3. Contact a Ford dealer if an open U.S. recall appears.

What Should Owners Do Right Now?

1. Check whether your truck is included using the VIN tools above. Do not assume every 2023-2026 F-150 is affected.
2. Contact an authorised Ford dealer and mention recall REC-006747 or Ford campaign 26S69. In Australia, Ford’s number is 13 36 73.
3. Ask about driving. The published notice does not expressly order all owners to stop driving, but the defect concerns fuel-tank retention and a possible leak. Ask the dealer for vehicle-specific advice before deciding to keep driving.
4. Arrange the free repair. The notice does not spell out the full workshop procedure, so let the dealer determine the repair under Ford’s instructions. Do not try to fix the strap yourself in place of the prescribed recall work.
5. Keep records: the recall notice, appointment confirmation, work order and final receipt.

If you smell fuel or see a leak

Stop in a safe place, switch off the engine, keep away from ignition sources (no smoking, flames or sparks), move away from the vehicle and arrange roadside or emergency assistance. Do not keep driving.

Does the Recall Offer a Refund or Compensation?

The notice provides a free inspection and repair. It does not announce a cash payout, general refund program or compensation claim form. A recall and a damages claim are different things. A separate claim may depend on extra facts such as a fire, injury, property damage, financial loss or an unresolved repair dispute. If you have suffered actual damage, keep photos, invoices and repair records, report the problem to Ford and the relevant authorities, and consider legal advice.

Laws and Rules Behind Vehicle Recalls

This is general background; confirm details against current official text.

Australia

• Australian Consumer Law (ACL), Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Suppliers who conduct a voluntary recall of consumer goods must notify the Commonwealth Minister (ACL s 128). Motor-vehicle recalls are published on the government vehicle-recalls site.
• ACL consumer guarantees (Part 3-2). Goods must be of acceptable quality, and consumers may be entitled to remedies for failures, separate from any recall repair.
• ACL Part 3-5 (manufacturers’ liability for safety defects). A manufacturer can be liable for loss caused by a safety defect, subject to defences and time limits.

United States

• National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. § 30101 et seq. Manufacturers must notify owners and NHTSA of safety defects and provide a remedy at no charge (see 49 U.S.C. §§ 30118-30120).
• 49 C.F.R. Part 573 covers manufacturer defect and noncompliance reports to NHTSA.
• NHTSA recall lookup lets owners search by VIN.

An Australian recall does not automatically create a U.S. recall or vice versa. Each country’s regulator and manufacturer subsidiary handles its own market.

Key Dates

Date	Event
October 16, 2026	Australian government publishes recall REC-006747
October 19, 2026	Research date; official record lists 3,745 affected vehicles and the free-repair instructions
No deadline specified	The notice gives no final date to book the repair, so contact Ford promptly

The recall record may be updated, so check the official notice for the latest instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many F-150s are affected?

The Australian notice lists 3,745 vehicles under REC-006747. Not every 2023-2026 F-150 is necessarily included; check the VIN list.

What is the fire risk?

The fuel-tank strap may not have been adequately secured to the frame rail and could detach, letting fuel leak. If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.

Is the repair free?

Yes. Ford says affected owners should arrange an inspection and repair at no cost through an authorised dealer.

How do I check my truck?

Check your 17-character VIN on the official Australian recall page or Ford Australia’s lookup. In the U.S., use NHTSA’s recall lookup.

What number do I call?

In Australia, Ford’s Customer Relationship Centre is 13 36 73. Give your VIN and the recall number REC-006747 or campaign 26S69.

Does this apply to U.S. owners?

Not automatically. This is an Australian-market recall. U.S. owners should check their VIN with NHTSA or Ford’s U.S. system.

Is there a cash settlement?

No cash settlement or claim form has been identified. The listed remedy is a free inspection and repair.

Does every F-150 from those years have a defective strap?

No. The notice covers certain vehicles, and the VIN list decides whether your truck is included.

Do I have to stop driving?

The notice does not expressly order all owners to stop driving. Because it involves a possible fuel leak, ask your dealer for vehicle-specific advice and act immediately if you smell fuel or see a leak.

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Sources and Verification Notes

1. Australian Government, Vehicle Recalls, Ford F-150 recall REC-006747 (campaign number, model years, 3,745 count, defect, hazard, remedy, contacts): https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-006747
2. Ford Australia, Recall and Service Action Lookup: https://www.ford.com.au/owners/field-service-actions/
3. Ford Australia, where to find recall information: https://www.ford.com.au/support/how-tos/recall/recalls-and-faqs/where-can-i-find-recall-or-field-service-action-information-for-my-ford
4. Ford Australia, where to get recall work done: https://www.ford.com.au/support/how-tos/recall/recalls-and-faqs/where-can-i-get-recall-work-done-on-my-vehicle
5. U.S. NHTSA recall lookup: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
6. Laws referenced: Australian Consumer Law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010, Sch 2); 49 U.S.C. §§ 30118-30120; 49 C.F.R. Part 573.

Verification note: All recall details come from the Australian government notice. No U.S. NHTSA campaign number, U.S. vehicle count or U.S. customer-service number was verified for this recall, so none is stated. Statutory references are general; confirm against current official text before reliance.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, Legal Content Researcher.

AllAboutLawyer.com provides general consumer information, not legal advice. It is not a law firm and does not represent Ford, vehicle owners or any other party.