Not sure if this is the correct channel, but here goes my concern. The safety incident has not yet occurred, but the manufacturer has stated it could/may occur if a certain fix is not performed, but are unwilling to issue a recall for said fix, or even produce the parts they say are necessary to implement the fix. I own a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor that Ford has demonstrated has a design flaw in their bed (for vehicles produced before mid Sept, 2024) in that it cannot carry more than 88 lbs on the bed rails without the potential for failure. I need to install a topper to protect and secure cargo in the bed which will exceed the 88 lb failure number they state. The fix they say must be implemented is to install 2 Ford supplied load box reinforcement brackets (called J-braces), yet I've been trying to order/obtain said braces for almost 5 months now without success. Ford seems to have given up on producing them as they've been "out of stock" since I purchased my vehicle, and Ford has cancelled my order for them twice now, when I try to submit an order. If the bed fails due to weight above 88 lbs put on the rails while driving, depending on what a failure looks like, it could cause collisions with the affected vehicle, or with other traffic in the vicinity. Ford has been completely unresponsive in issuing a recall so far regarding this known design flaw, yet they redesigned the suspect area mid year to fix the issue on vehicles produced after mid-Sept and going forward. Yet they are leaving purchasers of vehicles prior to this time, in a precarious position as they have potential safety concerns that Ford is unwilling to address, or even provide a solution for.

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA

I purchased a new 2024 Ford Ranger yesterday. As I was researching camper shells and truck racks I found that these common items cannot be installed without first installing a load bed reinforcement bracket kit to reinforce the truck bed to the bed side rails. Apparently, nothing can be attached to the side rail which weights more that 88 lbs or the truck bed could separate from the side rails. This is an design/engineering shortcoming from Ford as these are common after market add-ons for mid-sized trucks. Also, Ford is asking customers to pay for the reinforcement bracket and installation - which was quoted today at $1,600, and the Ford part is not currently available from the corporate US Ford website, and has not been available for several months.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

2024 Ford Ranger Trucks made in Michigan between January 4, 2024 to July 15, 2024 do not include the load box reinforcement bracket. Without this bracket installed, if the owner were to place more than 88lbs onto one or both bed side rails the bed could crack, warp, bend, or break. If operators of this vehicle are not aware and do load the bed side rails over 88lbs, this could pose a safety issue to the driver or other drivers on the road around the vehicle. Ford has not notified all owners of affected vehicles, and in my case I found out my vehicle was affected out of sheer curiosity and reading forums with posts of other owners whose vehicles are also affected. Ford is currently not willing to address the issue without additional cost burden on the vehicle owner.

- Boise, ID, USA