Driving blind at highway speeds isn’t a metaphor when your dashboard goes completely dark. Ford’s recalling 355,656 pickup trucks after discovering their instrument panels can fail at startup, leaving drivers without speedometers, fuel gauges, or critical warning lights.
Which Trucks Face the Blackout Risk
The recall covers every 2025 F-150 plus the entire 2025-2026 Super Duty lineup—F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks. Ford received 95 warranty claims by late June, though no crashes have been linked to the defect yet.
The instrument panel cluster software, introduced in June 2024, creates a genuine safety hazard when it blacks out essential driving information. Modern trucks depend entirely on these digital displays, unlike older vehicles with analog gauges. Safe operation becomes impossible when you can’t monitor speed or engine warnings in a 7,000-pound Super Duty.
The Fix Comes Free, But Timing Varies
Ford’s offering free software updates through authorized dealers or directly to your truck via over-the-air delivery. Owner notification letters start mailing September 2, giving affected drivers clear instructions on getting the fix.
The remedy addresses the root cause—faulty instrument panel cluster software that Ford removed from production in July 2025. This recall follows Ford’s broader safety push, including fixes for over 850,000 vehicles with fuel pump defects earlier this year.
What Truck Owners Must Do Now
- Contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 or visit NHTSA’s website using recall number 25S88 to verify if your truck needs the update
- Don’t wait for the September notification—dashboard failures at startup create immediate safety risks
- Use NHTSA’s hotline 888-327-4236 for additional recall information
The software fix takes minutes to install, whether at your dealer or downloaded directly to your truck. Given that 100% of affected vehicles contain the defective software, getting this update isn’t optional—it’s essential for safe driving.
