Ford bulletin SSM 53980
What it saysSome 2023-2025 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit multiple warning indicators with DTCs U0252, U0137, U0199, U0438 stored in the body control module (BCM), image processing module A (IPMA), power steering control module… NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Ford filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Jun 24, 2025, received Jul 2, 2025, about the electrical system. It names 12 model years (2023–2025). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationSome 2023-2025 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit multiple warning indicators with DTCs U0252, U0137, U0199, U0438 stored in the body control module (BCM), image processing module A (IPMA), power steering control module (PSCM), instrument panel cluster (IPC) and/or inoperative power windows and locks. This may be due to an incorrectly tightened ground 201 (G201). Inspect G201 for proper connection, locating tab insertion, and tighten to 8 +/- 1.2 Nm. If the condition remains after tightening G201, continue with normal Workshop Manual diagnostics.
Trouble codes it names: U0137 U0199 U0252 U0438
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 53980 | Service bulletin | Jun 24, 2025 | 11020051 | PDF, 71 KB |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themAlso filed against model years this site has no page for: 2023 Ford F-550 SD; 2024 Ford F-550 SD; 2025 Ford F-550 SD.
A vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 9 model years this bulletin names have filed 211 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 66 of them name Electrical System — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
Multiple electrical issues related to dashboard controls, video sensors, head unit. Controls powering down while driving, sensors throwing multiple error messages. All since 1,500 miles. Ford could not figure out what the issue was so they replaced the wiring harness. After 2 months in the shop I got my vehicle back.
2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Mar 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and hauling a trailer, the trailer brakes failed to activate while depressing the brake pedal. During the failure, there were no warning lights or messages displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined.
2024 Ford F-350 Super Duty · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Jun 16, 2025
7 Pin Trailer Connector is not transfering power to trailer needs to be repair under warranty vehicle around 17000 miles No rapair was done at Mossy Ford dealer spend 5 days without vehicle Dealership provide me a diagram in order I repleace fuse by myself. no repairs was done problem persist
2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Jul 6, 2024
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the electrical system
Source: same model, same component group96 other manufacturer communications filed against these Ford models under the same component group (electrical system), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Ford list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 55208 | Service bulletin | Sep 25, 2026 | Some 2024-2026 F-150, 2025 Explorer/Aviator, 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator, or 2026 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble co… |
| ECG-26.2.12.3 | Over-the-air update | Sep 16, 2026 | Quality improvements include: -ePrivacy enhancements |
| SSM 55116 | Service bulletin | Aug 25, 2026 | Some of the following vehicles: * 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator built on or after 02-Feb-2025 * 2025-2026 F-Super Duty built on or after 0… |
| SSM 55031 | Service bulletin | Jul 23, 2026 | Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as i… |
| SSM 55021 | Service bulletin | Jul 20, 2026 | Some 2025-2026 Bronco/Bronco Sport/Corsair/F-150/F-Super Duty/Maverick/Mustang/Mustang Mach-E/Ranger vehicles may exhibit a no audio/sound c… |
| SSM 54975 | Service bulletin | Jul 1, 2026 | Some 2023-2026 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 10R100 or 10R140 transmission may exhibit an intermittent failure to engage forward or… |
| TSB 26-2297 | Service bulletin | Jun 24, 2026 | Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a blank center display screen or black center di… |
| HUD-26.01 | Over-the-air update | Jun 23, 2026 | Quality improvements include: -Shows trailer brake settings when pressing the brake pedal -Updates the off-road screen to show wider steerin… |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Ford, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Ford SSM 53980 a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the SSM 53980 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.
Which vehicles does SSM 53980 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 12 model years: 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, 2025 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2024 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty and more. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.