Ford is officially recalling 2,422 commercial and recreational stripped chassis vehicles. The safety recall was issued because the exterior brake lights may remain illuminated even when the driver is not actively applying the brakes.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects 1,748 of the 2025-2026 Ford F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis models. It also includes 674 of the 2025-2026 Ford F-53 Recreational Stripped Chassis models. The impacted vehicles were produced between May 2025 and January 2026.
The Hydroboost Problem
The cause of the issue is found in the vehicle’s hydraulic brake booster, a component supplied by Bosch. Variations in the ball crimp formation process can cause excessive internal friction between the brake booster push rod and the reaction piston. This heavy friction prevents the brake pedal from fully returning to its standard resting position after it is pressed, which unfortunately keeps the brake lamp switch stuck in the “on” position.
Because the brake lights stay on, the vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108. More importantly, this creates a serious safety hazard on the road. Trailing drivers cannot tell if the Ford vehicle is actually stopping, significantly increasing the risk of a rear-end crash.
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Ford noted that drivers might actually receive a warning on their dashboard about the issue. A “brake applied, power reduced” message could appear on the instrument cluster even when the driver isn’t braking, which may also trigger a vehicle speed limitation. As of early March 2026, Ford is aware of 41 warranty claims and 16 field reports related to the defect. Fortunately, no accidents or injuries have been reported because of this issue.
The Fix
- Dealers will thoroughly inspect the brake pedal for an incomplete return.
- Technicians will articulate and repair the brake booster push rod to relieve the underlying internal friction.
- The inspection and repair will be completed entirely free of charge.
- Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out between March 23 and March 27, 2026.
- Concerned owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
- Customers should reference Ford’s internal recall number, 26C17.
