The Ford F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck for 49 years, with 828,832 sold last year. The F-150 is a major contributor to that total, making the production halt particularly significant.
A memo seen by Reuters said F-150 production at the Dearborn Truck Plant stopped Thursday and is not scheduled to restart until September 29. F-Series output at Kansas City Assembly has also been affected, with some recent shifts canceled. The Kentucky Truck Plant reportedly raised production, possibly to help offset the disruption.
The precise nature of the problem remains unclear, though an insider described it as a “supply problem.” The disruption reportedly is not connected to the aluminum shortage that has hindered F-150 production following a series of fires at Novelis’ Oswego aluminum plant in 2025.
The Detroit Free Press reported that the Dearborn Truck Plant shutdown affects approximately 3,500 to 4,000 people. The publication also said Kansas City Assembly has canceled 15 shifts since the start of the month.
A Ford spokesperson told the publication that the company “don’t comment on supplier disruptions.” However, UAW Local 249 Bargaining Chair Jim Fisher suggested aluminum could be involved. The cause has not been confirmed, while Ford is reportedly citing a “lack of parts.”
The nature of the disruption remains unknown, but Novelis restarted the hot mill at its Oswego plant in June. At the time, the company said it was “working closely with customers to ramp up supply” and would improve operations to “further strengthen the company’s ability to deliver dependable supply and high-quality products.”
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