Ford Recalls Over 540,000 Vehicles for Peeling Center Console Causing Sharp Edges

Ford Motor Company is recalling 548,463 vehicles due to possible peeling of the center console, resulting in sharp edges that could cause injury.

A report posted on June 11 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates the defects are associated with certain 2018–2024 Expedition models. In affected vehicles, the chrome plating on the center console may bubble and peel, leaving behind sharp edges that could be dangerous to drivers.

“A customer may come in contact with the sharp edge of peeling chrome while driving, increasing the risk of injury,” the NHTSA report says.

Notification letters to owners are expected to be mailed on June 29. In the meantime, owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 using the recall number 26S38. Vehicle Identification Numbers involved in this recall are also searchable on NHTSA.gov.

Dealers will inspect and replace the center console as necessary, free of charge.

According to the NHTSA Safety Recall Report, the center console chrome trim may have been manufactured by the supplier with standards that do not meet Ford specifications.

In September 2025, Ford identified a trend in an NHTSA vehicle owner questionnaire that mentioned bubbling and peeling of the chrome trim on the center console of 2019–2022 Expedition models. Five customers reported hand injuries from contact with the sharp edge of the peeling chrome trim.

A month later, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group launched an investigation on the consoles. At the time, the CCRG determined that a safety recall was not needed. 

However, after re-evaluating the severity of injuries that could result from peeling and sharp edges, Ford’s review group began testing center console components and found that the chrome plating on some of them had bubbling and peeling.

As of June 2, the automaker is aware of 34 customer reports, 150 field reports, and 4,634 warranty reports worldwide related to peeling center console chrome.

Globally, 65 injuries and one accident have been reported. Consumer reports include hand and finger lacerations, a small number of which required professional medical attention.

Earlier this year, Ford issued a massive recall of 4.38 million vehicles for faulty integrated trailer modules. According to an NHTSA report, when towing a trailer, the integrated trailer modules could lose communication with the vehicle and cause a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function.

Vehicles affected included certain Maverick, Ranger, Lincoln Navigator, and Expedition models of varying years. Owner notification letters were distributed in March, and updated software is available either at a local dealership or over the air.