Ford Recalls 140,201 Ranger Trucks Over Wiring Fire Risk
Ford Motor Co. has issued a recall for 140,201 Ranger midsize pickups in the U.S. produced from the 2024 to 2026 model years after discovering a wiring issue in the A-pillar area that could cause an electrical short and potentially a fire.
Recall Details
Affected Models: Certain 2024–2026 Ford Ranger pickup trucks built at the Michigan Assembly Plant between December 9, 2022, and December 28, 2025.
The Cause: Assembly issues where wiring harnesses have excessive tape thickness or were improperly positioned. Over time, these wires can rub against sheet metal, wearing down insulation and causing an electrical short to ground.
The Hazard: A short can lead to sparks, smoke, or an open flame behind the dashboard or near the A-pillar, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Incident Reports: Ford is aware of at least one fire and three other instances of smoke or scorching as of March 2026, though no injuries have been reported.
Warning Signs
Owners should watch for these early symptoms:
- Flickering or dead vanity mirror lights.
- Erratic behavior of overhead console lights.
- Burning smells or smoke inside the cabin.
Required Action & Repair
Interim Safety Warning: Ford recommends that owners park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the repair is completed.
1. Notification: Interim warning letters are scheduled to be mailed starting April 27, 2026, with full remedy instructions expected by August 2026.
2. Free Repair: Dealers will inspect the wiring for a specific diagnostic code (B14AA) and replace damaged harnesses at no cost.
3. Software Update: All affected vehicles will receive a Body Control Module (BCM) software update that automatically cuts power to the circuit if it detects repeated electrical shorts.
Check Your VIN
You can verify whether your Ranger is included by entering your 17-digit VIN at:
Ford Recall Support: https://www.ford.com/support/recalls-details/
NHTSA Recall Lookup: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Chronology
On October 31, 2025, Ford reviewed inspection results from a fire in the right A-pillar area on a 2024 model year (MY) Ranger vehicle. Initial visual evidence suggested the fire may have originated from an electrical short in the power lead of the sunvisor. Data gathered from the vehicle indicated a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B14AA for a circuit short in the sunvisor lamp. On November 6, 2025, this concern was brought into Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) for review.
During November and December 2025, the CCRG reviewed wiring harness specifications and installation procedures of the sunvisor and headliner suppliers with two notable findings. Firstly, supplier control records showed a thickness of protective tape around the headliner wiring circuit that exceeded the width of a section of a sheet metal opening where the wiring passed through. A taped wire harness with excess thickness could become stuck in the metal opening and result in damage to one of the wire circuits. Secondly, positioning of wiring to the headliner did not include sufficient placement controls to guarantee that the wiring would be routed as intended through the sheet metal opening. An improperly routed wiring harness may lead to unintended harness-to-metal contact, which may result in wiring damage.
In January and February 2026, the CCRG conducted flammability assessment testing that showed all potentially affected materials met flammability requirements and were not combustible. However, analysis of the electrical system design indicated that repetitive Body Control Module (BCM) re-starts
after the sunvisor lamp circuit DTC is set may cause repeated shorts and arcing over time, building up soot and eventually causing fire.
As of March 20, 2026, Ford is aware of three warranty claims, two field reports and one customer service report in the US potentially related to this concern, received between July 22, 2025 and September 16, 2025, representing a total of four VINs. Flame was reported for one of the VINs. Smoke or burn evidence around the sunvisor lamp circuit was reported for the other three VINs.
On April 7, 2026, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field service action.
Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford Ranger off-road and enthusiast space.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road adventures contributed by owners worldwide. TheRangerStation.com has been referenced in print, video and online by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, and experience-based information.
