Today's trail report

Ford recalls 2025–2027 F-150s for front seats that may not be bolted down tight — no stop-ride, dealer fix is free

By The OffRoading.News Desk

Good morning. The headline item is a safety recall. Under NHTSA campaign 26V-655, Ford is recalling certain 2025–2027 F-150 vehicles because the front seats may have been improperly secured to the vehicle. Note that the two NHTSA fields do not read the same: the recall title names the 2025–2027 F-150, while the covered-vehicles field lists Raptor 2025–2027 — if you own either, check your VIN. This is not a stop-ride recall. The remedy: dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace, the front seat bolts as necessary, free of charge. Do not guess at this yourself — seat anchorage is a crash-restraint point, the correct values live in Ford's service procedure, and a bolt torqued by feel is a bolt you are trusting in a collision. Owner notification letters were mailed October 16, 2026, and the involved VINs became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 9, 2026. Ford's internal number for this recall is 26S74. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

The second recall, NHTSA campaign 26V-653, covers certain 2025–2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, F-600, 2026 F-150, and F-750 SD vehicles; here too NHTSA's covered-vehicles field reads Raptor 2026 rather than the model list in the title. The analog cluster's tachometer and speedometer may become stuck or move erratically, giving inaccurate readings, which puts the vehicles out of compliance with FMVSS 101, "Controls and Displays." It is also not a stop-ride recall. Dealers will replace the instrument cluster modules free of charge. Interim letters warning owners of the risk are expected to mail October 26, 2026, with follow-up letters once the remedy is ready, anticipated December 2026. Ford's number for this one is 26C46; VINs became searchable October 7, 2026.

On the product side: Carscoops reports the 2027 Ford Bronco now offers the Raptor's twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, rated at 380 hp, across a wider range of models, and separately that Jeep's Wrangler Switchback is the final special edition of its Twelve 4 Twelve campaign. Dirt Wheels writes that a new U.S. patent application shows CFMOTO working on a compact two-seat electric youth UTV with a rear-mounted motor. Powersports Business covers KTM's new SX-E 2.12 electric mini, slotted between the SX-E 2 and SX-E 3. Dirt Bike Magazine details Kawasaki's 2027 dual-sport line led by the KLX300 ABS Explorer, and Off-Road.com reports Acura confirming an off-road SUV and an eight-passenger three-row for 2028.

No trail or land-use actions were reported in today's material.