Ford filed recall 26V689 on Oct. 20, 2026, covering 30,123 certain F-150 and Super Duty pickups, according to its report filed with NHTSA. A left-side support cable may separate under heavy load, allowing the open tailgate to drop. For Beverly Hills owners who load equipment or recreational vehicles, the concern is the loading setup – not a reported highway-driving failure. (static.nhtsa.gov)
How One Cable Can Leave a Loaded Tailgate Unsupported
Ford describes an incomplete crimp at the cable’s eyelet – the fitting that holds its end. Under a UTV or equivalent load, the cable can pull free. The right-side cable may then be unable to support the weight, allowing the tailgate to drop onto the rear bumper and possibly contact the person loading. (static.nhtsa.gov)
The second cable is not a guaranteed backup. That is the practical concern in Ford’s failure description. Ford also says there is no dashboard message or warning light for this condition. (static.nhtsa.gov)
But an injury risk is not a reported injury. As BizzyCar reported on Oct. 28, Ford said it knew of no related accidents or injuries as of Oct. 19, 2026. That statement has a cutoff date; it should not be presented as a permanent incident count. (bizzycar.com)
Check the Truck Before Planning Another Heavy Load
According to Ford’s filing, the recall covers certain 2026-2027 F-150s and 2026 F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty trucks. A matching model year alone does not establish that your pickup is included. Ford says these vehicles were not produced in VIN order. (static.nhtsa.gov)
For California owners, the useful question is specific: will your planned loading arrangement put weight on the open tailgate? If you load a motorcycle, ask where its wheels and the ramps will place that weight. Do not assume Ford’s UTV example establishes a safe weight limit for every motorcycle or piece of equipment.
In its Oct. 27 loading-risk coverage, TruckDaily recommended keeping UTVs and similarly heavy loads off the open tailgate pending replacement. Before your next load, ask a Ford dealer to check your VIN under recall 26S78 and explain the applicable interim guidance. A different loading method should be checked against its own equipment instructions, not treated as automatically safe. (truckdaily.com)
An Injury Review Starts With the Cable and Loading Setup
If someone is hurt during loading, start with questions rather than a fault claim. Did the left cable separate at the eyelet? Was it the original cable or a replacement? What do photographs show about both cables, their mounting points and the tailgate? These questions follow the failure location described in Ford’s report. (static.nhtsa.gov)
Then reconstruct the load. What was being loaded, and what did it weigh? Where did the ramps rest? Where were the wheels, equipment and people when support was lost? Were straps or other supports in use? The review should test the actual arrangement against Ford’s description, rather than assume every dropped tailgate has the same cause.
For an incident review, keep available photographs, loading instructions, purchase records, repair records and the damaged parts. Ask how the cable can be documented before replacement or disposal. Record the sequence without recreating the failure. A useful review needs the loading arrangement, not just a close-up of a broken cable.
Ford’s Notice and Repair Dates Are Still Ahead
Ford’s filed schedule calls for VIN searches to begin Dec. 7, 2026, with interim owner letters planned for Dec. 14-18. Remedy letters are planned for Jan. 18-22, 2027. Dealers will replace the left-side cable without charge. These are planned dates, not confirmation that a particular dealer has a replacement ready. (static.nhtsa.gov)
You do not have to wait for a letter to ask about the truck. Ford’s report directs owners to a Ford or Lincoln dealer or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for vehicle-specific information. Ask separately about recall inclusion, interim loading guidance and repair availability. (static.nhtsa.gov)
Keep the dealer’s response and any repair paperwork with the truck’s records. A notice date and a completed repair are different things. For planning purposes, ask what has actually been checked or replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this recall involve tailgates opening while driving?
Ford’s stated failure mode concerns an open tailgate under heavy load. It describes cable separation and loss of support, not a tailgate unlatching at highway speed. (static.nhtsa.gov)
Has Ford reported injuries linked to the cable?
Ford said it knew of no associated accident or injury reports as of Oct. 19, 2026. Keep that date attached to the statement; the recall describes potential harm, not a confirmed injured person. (bizzycar.com)
Can I check my truck before December?
Ford’s filing says owners can contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer or call Ford for vehicle-specific information. Its planned NHTSA VIN-search date is Dec. 7, 2026, so ask about campaign 26S78 rather than relying only on an earlier online search. (static.nhtsa.gov)
What should an injury review ask about a motorcycle load?
Ask about the motorcycle’s weight, wheel positions, ramp contact points and where each person stood. Do not assume the presence of a recalled truck answers how the incident happened.
Reviewing a Loading Injury With Crown & Stone Law
At Crown & Stone Law, P.C., you work directly with Avi Muhtar, and we explain the evidence questions in plain English. Our Beverly Hills truck injury representation and California spinal cord injury representation address related injury concerns, but a tailgate-loading incident should be reviewed on its own facts – not forced into a traffic-collision label. (crownandstonelaw.com)
Sources
- Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V689 (Ford Motor Company / National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2026-10-20)
- October 2026 Ford Recall for Tailgate Cables That Can Fail Under Load, Affecting 30,123 Vehicles (BizzyCar, 2026-10-28)
- Ford Recalls 30,123 F-150 and Super Duty Trucks Over Tailgate Cables (TruckDaily, 2026-10-27)
