Ford Breaks Record for Most Recalls by a Carmaker in a Single Year

Nobody can beat Ford when it comes to its recalls. As of mid-July 2025, Ford has issued its 90th recall of the year, affecting more than 5 million vehicles globally, a volume no automaker has ever reached in an entire calendar year before. The previous record holder was General Motors, which had 77 recalls in 2014. This surge includes massive campaigns such as the latest recall of nearly 694,000 Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs due to a fuel injector defect that raises fire risks. The year is 53% over. This has proven to be a great stress for customers nowadays, especially in 2025, as it is increasing at a rapid pace. 

Ford Breaks Record for Most Recalls by a Carmaker in a Single Year

Earlier in July, Ford also recalled over 850,000 vehicles worldwide, including popular models like the F-150, Bronco, and Explorer, because of an engine stall issue caused by a faulty low-pressure fuel pump. Combined, these major recalls have contributed significantly to Ford’s unprecedented total in 2025. There’s no single explanation for Ford’s nightmare 2025 recall issue. But there’s an explanation for more than a third of it. Thirty-three of the 89 have been partial repeats of old recalls.

According to the reports, the identified root cause varies, but the key highlight of the ongoing challenge remains in quality control and early detection. Ford’s chief operating officer, Kumar Galhotra, emphasised that the high recall numbers reflect the company’s “intensive strategy to quickly find and fix any hardware and software issues” to protect customers.

Despite the record number of recalls, Ford says it has improved initial vehicle quality and expects the recall rate to drop in the coming years, thanks to extensive investments in quality assurance.

Industry data support that Ford’s 2025 recall volumes dwarf those of other manufacturers. By the end of June alone, Ford had issued 88 safety recalls, compared to the next-highest company, Forest River, which had just 21 recalls during the same period. Other major automakers like Volkswagen, Chrysler, Honda, and GM have reported far fewer recalls year-to-date.

Some of Ford’s recalls cover minor issues such as defective rearview cameras, while others involve serious safety risks like engine fires and stalling, which have drawn regulatory scrutiny and fines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Additionally, several Ford dealerships have faced challenges in properly installing software updates related to recalls, prompting NHTSA to require the automaker to review all recalls issued since late 2021 to ensure fixes were correctly applied.

What This Means for Ford Owners:

1. If you own a Ford vehicle, it’s crucial to regularly check if your car is subject to a recall.
2. Recall notices for the latest campaigns are being mailed now or soon, and owners are urged to schedule repairs immediately.
3. Many recalls involve free software updates or part replacements at authorised service centres.

Looking Ahead:

Ford is under pressure to reverse these trends and restore consumer confidence. The company is relying on its expanded product quality teams and stricter internal controls to reduce future recalls and warranty costs while maintaining its competitive position in the auto industry.