Shop Floor Report: What Happened This Week (April 19–25, 2026)

Here is your weekly recap of the biggest stories across the automotive industry.

Ford Recall Machine Keeps Rolling — 140K Rangers Over Sun Visor Wiring Fires

Ford recalled 140,201 Rangers (2024–2026 model years) over a damaged wiring harness near the sun visor that can short and start a fire. Ford confirmed at least four vehicles had the problem — one caught fire, three showed scorching. Owners are being told to park outside until the fix is available. Dealers will replace wiring and push a software update, with full remedy letters expected in August.

This is on top of the 59,000 Mavericks and Bronco Sports recalled for engine block heater overheating that can also cause fires. And the 422,000 Expeditions, Navigators, and Super Dutys for wiper issues. Ford has now issued 31 recalls in 2026, outpacing every other manufacturer combined according to an iSeeCars study released this week. About 80 percent of their recalls this year are software-related — which means OTA or quick flash fixes. If you are in a Ford shop, the recall volume is job security. Get your flash process dialed in and stack them.

Supreme Court Tariff Refunds Are Live — $20 Billion Portal Opened April 20

Remember when the Supreme Court ruled IEEPA tariffs unconstitutional back in February? The refund process is now live. U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened its claims portal on April 20, and businesses that paid tariffs on imported goods — including auto parts — can start filing for refunds. Processing takes 60 to 90 days after acceptance.

For shop owners, this matters more than you think. Those tariffs added roughly 25 percent to semiconductor and European parts costs. If your parts supplier imported anything under IEEPA tariffs, ask them if they are filing for refunds — and whether those savings will flow down to you. Do not assume it will happen automatically. Meanwhile, tariffs under other authorities (Section 301, Section 232) are still in effect, so parts prices are not dropping overnight. But this is real money coming back into the supply chain.

Rivian R2 Rolls Off the Line — Five Days After a Tornado Hit the Factory

On April 22, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe drove the first customer-ready R2 off the assembly line in Normal, Illinois — just five days after an EF-1 tornado ripped through Building 2 of the same plant and collapsed part of the roof. The R2 starts around $45,000 for the base model with performance trims near $58,000. Rivian is targeting 20,000 to 25,000 deliveries by end of year with spring deliveries starting soon.

Another EV platform hitting the road means more high-voltage service work heading toward independent shops. If you are not trained on EV safety and diagnostics, the window to get ahead of that demand is closing. The APEX Academy covers EV fundamentals if you need a starting point.

Stellantis Goes All-In on AI with Microsoft — 100+ Initiatives

Stellantis expanded its partnership with Microsoft into a five-year AI deal covering over 100 initiatives. The plan includes Azure cloud migration, cybersecurity integration, 20,000 Copilot licenses for employees, and a target of 60 percent datacenter reduction by 2029. This is not a press release — it is a complete digital overhaul of how Stellantis operates.

For technicians working on Stellantis vehicles (Ram, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler), expect more software-defined vehicle behavior, more OTA updates, and more diagnostic procedures that require cloud connectivity. The vehicles are getting smarter. Your diagnostic approach needs to keep up.

Ram Recalls 65K Trucks — Instrument Panel Display Software Error

Ram recalled approximately 65,000 trucks over an instrument panel display software error that could show incorrect information. Additionally, the 2026 Ram 2500 has a separate recall for a steering column control module issue that can cause loss of Electronic Stability Control. Both are software fixes at the dealer level.

Between Ford and Ram, the recall flash work keeps piling up. If you are on flat rate, these quick software jobs are easy money — if you are efficient with your process.

Parts Tariffs Still Squeezing Shops — 38 Percent Report Direct Impact

Even with the Supreme Court IEEPA refunds coming, tariffs under other authorities are still hitting shops hard. A recent IMR survey found 38.6 percent of repair shops report direct impact from tariff-related parts cost increases. Semiconductor tariffs are driving up ADAS component costs. European parts from eight countries caught in a Greenland-related trade dispute are seeing 10 to 25 percent duties. Brake parts are on backorder in some regions, and insurance repair costs are up 7 percent.

Mitchell's guidance for 2026 is simple: be flexible in sourcing. Have backup suppliers. Build tariff uncertainty into your estimates. The shops that adapt their sourcing strategy will eat while others wait on backorders.

Technician Shortage Hits 76,000 Per Year — Only 1.4 Percent Have EV Certs

The numbers keep getting worse. NADA projects the U.S. needs 76,000 new technicians annually just to keep up with demand. TechForce Foundation says nearly one million entry-level techs are needed over the next five years. And here is the number that should scare everyone: of the 229,000 ASE-certified technicians in the country, only 3,100 — about 1.4 percent — hold EV-specific certifications.

The ASE Instructor Training Conference is coming up in July in Frisco, Texas, and Ford committed $4 million in technician scholarships through NADA and ASE programs. The industry knows it has a problem. If you are already trained, your value goes up every quarter. If you are thinking about getting into the trade, the demand has never been higher.

State Farm Pays $15.6M for Underpaying Total Loss Claims

State Farm agreed to a $15.6 million settlement after a class action lawsuit proved they were underpaying policyholders on total loss vehicles using improper "typical negotiation adjustments." If you had a total loss claim with State Farm and felt like you got shorted — you probably did. Claims deadline is August 19, 2026.

For shop owners dealing with insurance companies on customer claims, this is a reminder: push back on valuations that do not make sense. Insurers have been systematically low-balling, and the courts are catching up.

The Bottom Line

Ford's recall volume alone could keep shops busy through the summer. The tariff refund portal is real money — make sure your suppliers are filing. Rivian R2 and Stellantis AI deals are signals that EVs and software-defined vehicles are not future problems — they are current ones. And the technician shortage is not getting better. It is getting worse.

If you are in this trade, your skills have never been worth more. Stay trained. Stay sharp. And do not let the industry change without you.