Ford Leads the Industry in 2025 Recalls

By mid-2025, Ford had already broken records for the most vehicle recalls issued by an automaker in a single year. In the first six months alone, Ford launched nearly 90 recalls, surpassing General Motors’ 2014 all-time high. By early August, that number had climbed to well over 90 recalls, affecting close to two million vehicles.

While recalls are a normal part of modern auto manufacturing, the sheer volume and variety of Ford’s 2025 safety campaigns have drawn attention from regulators, industry analysts, and consumers alike.

Major Ford Recalls in 2025

Ford’s recalls have spanned a wide range of models and problems. Some of the most impactful include:

• Rearview Camera Malfunctions: Over one million vehicles were recalled because camera images could freeze, be delayed, or fail to display. This is a safety-critical defect since visibility while reversing is required by law.
• Fuel System Defects: Nearly 850,000 SUVs, including Bronco Sport and Escape, were recalled due to cracked fuel injectors that could leak gasoline, creating a fire risk.
• Brake System Failures: More than 300,000 vehicles, including the 2025 Bronco, Expedition, and F-150, faced a defect in the electronic brake booster that could cause loss of power brake assist.

Other issues ranged from faulty seatbelt anchors and flickering parking lights to trim pieces detaching from doors at highway speeds. This wide spectrum shows that Ford’s challenges are not confined to a single system or supplier, but spread across both mechanical and electronic domains.

Comparing Recall Types

When looking at Ford’s 2025 recall surge, it’s helpful to break them down into categories:

Software-Driven Recalls

These are increasingly common as vehicles become more computerized. The rearview camera malfunction, for example, stemmed from a software error. Many of these defects can be resolved with over-the-air (OTA) updates, reducing inconvenience for drivers and lowering repair costs for Ford.

Pros: Fast, relatively inexpensive to fix, often resolved without a dealership visit.

Cons: Can mask deeper hardware issues if software is only a partial workaround; not all customers promptly install updates.

Safety-Critical Hardware Defects

Problems with brakes, steering, or fuel systems fall into this category. The cracked fuel injectors and electronic brake booster failures are prime examples. These defects require physical part replacements or repairs and usually involve dealership visits.

Pros: Permanent fix once the part is replaced.

Cons: Costly for the manufacturer, time-consuming for owners, and can erode brand trust when issues affect core vehicle safety.

Cosmetic or Secondary Safety Issues

Some recalls, like door trim pieces detaching or seatbelt anchor covers loosening, don’t immediately threaten vehicle operation but still pose risks. A detached trim piece, for instance, could become a road hazard at highway speeds.

Pros: Less urgent, easier to schedule repairs.

Cons: Can still tarnish brand image and frustrate owners who experience repeated service visits.

Temporary Fixes vs. Permanent Remedies

In several recalls, Ford has issued interim solutions such as software patches that reduce risk while awaiting redesigned hardware. For example, in the fuel system recall, interim software was provided to detect leaks earlier, while permanent redesigned injectors are still being prepared.

This approach buys time but highlights the tension between keeping vehicles on the road and ensuring long-term safety.

Top 5 Automakers with the Most Recalls in 2025

While Ford dominates recall headlines, other automakers are also facing significant challenges this year:

• Ford – Leading with nearly 100 recalls and close to two million vehicles affected. The range of problems shows systemic quality control struggles.
• General Motors (GM) – Ranking second, GM has issued recalls covering close to a million vehicles. Issues have included fire risks in Silverado trucks and problems with brake sensor assemblies.
• Honda – With over 700,000 vehicles recalled in multiple campaigns, Honda’s issues center on airbags, braking systems, and electrical faults.
• Forest River (RVs) – A frequent presence in recall tallies, this recreational vehicle manufacturer leads in sheer number of separate recall campaigns, though its vehicles are produced at much smaller volumes.
• Chrysler (FCA brands: Jeep, Dodge, RAM) – High recall counts continue for Chrysler, covering a wide range of vehicles and components, from airbags to electrical systems.

Together, these five manufacturers account for the majority of U.S. recalls in 2025, showing how widespread safety issues remain across the industry.

Ford’s record-setting year is a stark reminder of the complexity of modern vehicle design. As cars blend advanced electronics, software, and traditional mechanical systems, the potential for overlapping failure points grows.

Software recalls offer manufacturers flexibility, but safety-critical hardware recalls—particularly those involving brakes, fuel systems, or structural components—are far more costly and damaging to brand reputation.

The broader takeaway is that recall numbers are not just statistics—they’re indicators of how well automakers are managing the balance between innovation, cost control, and safety. In 2025, Ford has become the most visible case study of what happens when that balance tips too far.