The Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for 140,201 Ranger pickups due to malfunctioning sun visor or headliner wiring harnesses that could result in a fire in the 2024–2026 models.
According to a report posted on April 22 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the damaged wires could create a short circuit and possibly cause a fire in the front of the vehicle near the windshield.
The NHTSA noted that the sun visor or headliner wiring harnesses could be damaged due to excessive tape thickness or improper harness positioning following installation. The report also stated that exposed wiring could come into contact with sheet metal, possibly causing arcing and soot buildup over time.
In its notice to dealers, Ford indicated that a pinched wire for the right or left sun visor could create a short to ground. When this happens, the driver may notice flickering or inoperative sun visor mirror lights and overhead console lights. Any heat or spark could also cause smoke, burning, melting, or a fire in the A-pillar area. This, in turn, would increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Letters to owners of possibly affected vehicles notifying them of the safety risks are expected to be mailed by April 27. Dealers will inspect the wiring for any damage and update the software as well as any damaged wiring harnesses free of charge. Additional letters will be sent out in August, once a permanent remedy is available.
Vehicle owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332, using the recall number 26S29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are also searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Ford first became aware of this issue in October 2025, after reviewing inspection results from a fire in the right A-pillar area of a 2024 Ranger. Data extracted from the vehicle showed a diagnostic trouble code for a circuit short in the sun visor lamp.
A month later, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) reviewed the wiring harness specifications and installation process and found that an excess thickness of protective tape around the headliner wiring circuit could become stuck in the metal opening where the wiring passed through, and possibly damage one of the wire circuits.
The CCRG also found that the wiring to the headline lacked sufficient placement controls to ensure that it would be routed as intended through the metal opening. An improperly routed wire harness could lead to unintended contact with metal, resulting in wire damage.
Earlier this year, the CCRG ran flammability assessment testing showing that potentially affected materials were not combustible. However, an analysis of the electrical system design showed that the sun visor could cause repeated shorts over time.
As of March 20, the automaker was aware of just three warranty claims: one involving a reported fire and two others involving smoke or burn. As of April 7, Ford was not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries relating to this issue.
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