After recalling 4.7 million cars last year, it has already recalled over 4 million this year and we haven’t even finished June yet
- Ford has issued 81 recalls in 2025, surpassing its total recalls from 2024.
- Its largest recall this year affects 1.1M vehicles, mostly related to cameras.
- The automaker has recalled an average of 50,341 vehicles per recall in 2025.
Build quality is a crucial metric for any automaker. It’s a measure of quality, consistency, and, to a degree, it’s a sign of pride, too. So, what does Ford’s 81 (!) recalls this year say about its standards? Well, we can’t say for sure, though the Blue Oval might want to take another look at that “Built Ford Tough” slogan.
All we know is that the automaker has already surpassed the total number of recall actions it had in all of 2024, which was 67, and we’re not even halfway through 2025.
A Recall Every 2.12 Days
As of today, we’re 172 days into 2025, and the numbers are eye-popping. Ford has issued a recall every 2.12 days, impacting 4,077,666 vehicles so far. That means, on average, 50,341 vehicles are affected by each recall. To put this in perspective, in all of 2024, Ford recalled 4,776,770 cars across 66 total physical recalls and just one OTA (over-the-air) fix. This year? Only one recall had an OTA fix.
Also: These Are America’s Recall Champions of 2024
At the time, Ford proudly touted the progress it had made since 2022. Clearly, something’s gone off course. The largest recall so far this year involves backup cameras, affecting 1,075,299 vehicles across almost every model Ford produces.
Interestingly, at least ten different recalls from this year include the backup camera. As we’ve pointed out in the past, that technology seems like it’s not getting more reliable with age.
A Myriad of Issues Across Multiple Systems
But it’s not just the cameras. The “Electrical System” seems to lead to the majority of recalls. It’s responsible for 17 different campaigns, including one where Ford recalled 272,817 vehicles for a 12-volt battery that could rapidly degrade and fail. In an unrelated recall, Ford said that some 492,145 vehicles could have the B-pillar trim fall off.
More: Ford Pulls Mustang Mach-E From Sale Over Dangerous Door Lock Flaw
This week, we reported on how Ford is now recalling 196,911 Mustang Mach-E examples in the United States along with another 100,000 units in overseas markets over door handle problems. To put it simply, the issues aren’t with just one type of system or component. They seem to be all over the place, both in terms of on the vehicles in question and across several different production facilities.
The Good, the Bad, and the Tiny Recalls
If there’s a plus side here, it’s that 14 recalls include fewer than 100 vehicles. That’s an indication of Ford finding a tiny issue and addressing it on a large scale. In fact, 10 of the 14 include fewer than 10 total vehicles. On top of that, one recall included zero vehicles but rather was focused on cylinder heads for replacement of 1.5-liter EcoBoost engines. Hopefully, Ford can stop the bleeding soon.
Looking at the Big Picture
So, what’s the takeaway here? Well, there are two ways to interpret Ford’s recall flood: Either the company can’t get its quality control in check, or it’s incredibly diligent in addressing every single problem that comes up, no matter how minor. Maybe it’s a bit of both.
Given that many automakers avoid costly recalls until they absolutely have to, Ford’s proactive stance might be a sign that they’re committed to improvement at every level, even if that means issuing multiple smaller recalls.
This mindset could trickle down through every step of design and production, encouraging a more meticulous approach that prioritizes quality control and customer satisfaction, even if it means dealing with the fallout of frequent recalls in the short term. The hope, perhaps, is that, in the long run, this focus on detail will spread throughout the company and lead to fewer major issues down the road.
The Recall Leaderboard
And if you’re wondering who’s taking the lead in the recall game, Ford is clearly in front with 81 actions so far this year. The next closest competitor is RV, van, and truck maker Forest River, with 18. Behind them are the VW Group and Stellantis, both tied at 15, followed by Mercedes at 13 and Honda-Acura and GM at 12. Ford might be leading the pack, but is that a race anyone really wants to win?
