Software Error Could Hide Critical Information
Ford is recalling 355,656 trucks, including 2025 F-150 and 2025-2026 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty models, because incorrect software could prevent digital instrument panels from turning on when the vehicles are started, leaving drivers without critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights.
Digital instrumentation has followed touchscreens as an obligatory addition to new-car dashboards, but without an analog backup, a blank cluster leaves drivers without vital information that federal regulations require to be displayed at all times. That's why Ford is conducting a recall, but the automaker anticipates a simple software fix.
Over-The-Air Fix
Ford told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that faulty instrument cluster software was introduced into production vehicles between June 6, 2024, and July 22, 2025. The incorrect software can lead to a memory protection fault that prevents the instrument cluster from restarting after entering sleep mode, which occurs during periods when the truck is turned off.
The recall population includes 278,376 F-150 full-size pickups and 77,280 heavy-duty Super Duty models, according to recall documents. Ford told the NHTSA that, as of June, it had received 95 warranty claims related to this issue going back to January of this year. But the automaker said it was unaware of any related accidents or injuries.
Correct software will be installed via an over-the-air update or by dealerships, free of charge. Ford plans to mail owner notification letters September 2, but owners can also call the automaker's customer service department at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall number 25S88 for more information.
Ford Continues To Struggle With Recalls
Over-the-air updates mean F-150 owners won't have to visit a dealership for this recall, but many owners will be making trips to their local Ford dealers for another issue that can't be fixed with new software. Earlier this month, Ford recalled 103,174 F-150 trucks from model years 2023-2025 because of weak rear-axle bolts that could break. These are just the latest in a record-breaking string of recalls for the Blue Oval this year.
Ford issued 89 recalls in the first half of 2025 alone, surpassing the full-year record of 77 set by General Motors in 2014. The pace of recalls has shown no signs of slowing since June. In addition to the two most recent truck recalls, Ford recalled around 300,000 vehicles for brake issues and around 20,000 Lincoln Aviator SUVs because of a different software issue related to window controls.
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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