Ford’s Record Recall Year: What Does It Mean for Car Owners?

Daily Car

·

02/01/2026

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Q: How many vehicles did Ford recall in 2025, and what does this indicate?

In 2025, Ford and its luxury brand Lincoln issued 153 separate recalls, affecting nearly 12.93 million vehicles in the United States. This is the highest number of recalls in a single year by any manufacturer, surpassing not just their own previous record of 89 recalls, but also the next nine automotive brands combined. The scale highlights both the complexity of modern vehicles and ongoing concerns about Ford’s quality control processes.

Q: What types of issues triggered these recalls?

The 2025 recalls at Ford covered a wide range of problems, including both hardware (physical component faults) and software issues. Notably, two of the largest recall campaigns—each affecting around 1.45 million vehicles—focused on rearview camera malfunctions, while another significant campaign resolved a safety concern through an over-the-air software update on nearly 1.08 million vehicles. This shows that vehicle concerns in today’s market can span from traditional mechanical faults to modern software errors.

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Q: How does Ford compare to its competitors regarding recalls this year?

Ford dramatically outpaced all competitors. Toyota followed with just 15 recalls but affected over 3.2 million vehicles. Stellantis (FCA brands) came next with 53 recalls and 2.78 million vehicles. Other major brands—including Honda/Acura, Hyundai/Genesis, and General Motors—issued between 15 to 27 recalls each, impacting 1–2 million vehicles apiece. Ford’s recall volume is unmatched, raising industry concerns and prompting comparison with its lower-recall rivals.

Q: What does it mean when recalls are handled via over-the-air updates?

An over-the-air (OTA) update is a method where the car’s software is fixed remotely, similar to how smartphones receive software patches. Nearly all recent Ford vehicles are equipped with connected platforms allowing for OTA, making it possible to resolve some recalls without visiting a dealership. However, this doesn’t minimize the significance of a recall. Both software and hardware recalls are tracked by safety regulators, and a high OTA recall rate can indicate deeper software/systemic issues.

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Q: Is the high number of Ford recalls a sign of poor quality, or are there other factors?

The increased recall count is partly due to improved detection and tracking technologies. Modern automotive manufacturing uses sophisticated data collection, making it easier to identify even minor safety risks that might have gone unnoticed in previous decades. Nevertheless, the overall recall volume is a concern, suggesting ongoing challenges in design and production or in managing the high complexity of today’s vehicles.

Q: What should Ford owners do in response to these recalls?

Owners should stay informed by checking their vehicles’ recall status through official Ford or NHTSA platforms. Not all recalls require immediate dealership visits—some may be resolved automatically via OTA updates. However, any safety-related issues should be addressed quickly to ensure vehicle reliability and safety.

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In summary, Ford’s record-setting recall numbers in 2025 are a reflection of both modern automotive complexity and the brand’s ongoing quality improvement challenges—key points for any car owner or enthusiast monitoring industry trends.

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