Automaker recalls are a common, necessary, and for most automakers an unavoidable part of the modern vehicle sales process. As companies ship millions of vehicles with increasingly complex and computerized components, even the most trusted and reliable makes or models are not immune to the occasional recall. These problems can range from minor software glitches to serious and potentially fatal mechanical and safety flaws.
Fortunately for car owners, many of Hyundai’s big recalls are not as serious as they sound, and more and more vehicles are able to fix their problems with over-the-air updates or, at worst, a quick software update at the dealership. However, there’s one U.S. automaker that’s been hit particularly hard by recalls over the past few years, and not just because of simple software glitches. That automaker is Ford, and nearly every model it makes since 2020 has been subject to at least one major recall.
In 2025 alone, Ford issued 152 different recalls, setting a new record for recalls by an automaker in a single year and leading by a wide margin. In fact, many of the recalls are for fairly minor, easily fixable problems, but unfortunately for the company and its customers, some are much more serious than simple software issues, including potential battery fires on Ford’s hybrid SUVs.
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Memories big and small
Side view of the new Ford Mustang and other Ford models parked in front of a Ford dealership in Texas. – Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Over the past six years, millions of Ford vehicles have been recalled, with 16 different models subject to varying degrees of recall. With one odd exception that we’ll discuss later, every model Ford makes has been affected by some kind of major recall in the 2020s, from performance cars and electric vehicles to pickup trucks and commercial vans.
Ford’s largest recall is in 2025, involving nearly 1.5 million vehicles due to rearview camera safety issues. Rearview camera recalls are common for many automakers these days, but Ford’s problem is serious because it requires replacing defective cameras personally, not just a software update. Of course, this results in inconvenience to vehicle owners and higher costs to Ford’s financial bottom line.
Currently, the larger recall of more than 4 million Ford pickup trucks and SUVs is due to a problem with the trailer module that prevents trailer brake lights and turn signals from functioning properly. Fortunately, Ford says it should be able to fix this particular issue with an over-the-air software update. There’s another major recall in 2025 due to a broken low-pressure fuel pump, which can cause the engine to stall in affected vehicles. It covers more than 850,000 Ford models, including Mustangs, Broncos and F-250 pickups.
Ford GT has had few recalls
Front 3/4 view of yellow modern Ford GT parked on display at car show. – Alina Solodovnik Photo/Getty Images
Some of Ford’s quality issues have actually gone beyond recalls and spawned class-action lawsuits, including one high-profile lawsuit over a potentially catastrophic defect in EcoBoost V6 engines that occurred during 2021 and 2022. What do historically high recall numbers actually mean in terms of the larger scope of the auto industry and Ford’s overall reputation? Are Ford’s cars really getting worse, or are they just getting better at solving problems?
The company believes it’s the latter. While no automaker is willing to issue a massive public recall of its vehicles, Ford noted that it has doubled its safety and technical teams in recent years. Ford says this results in a more proactive approach to identifying and resolving software and hardware issues before they cause larger problems. However, even then, setting a recall record may not be ideal from a brand reputation perspective.
If you want to buy a modern Ford vehicle that isn’t affected by the widespread recall, you do have an option. The only problem is, that option is the discontinued ultra-limited edition Ford GT supercar, which currently sells for around $800,000. With the small exception of the rear wing valve recall, which only affected two cars in total, the stellar recall record is just one more accolade for this American supercar.
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
