In 2025, U.S. automakers recalled more than 28 million vehicles. And leading the pack on this less-than-desirable ranking was Ford who, on its own, was responsible for nearly 13 million of them.
In July of this year, Ford emphasized a new reputation management strategy. In an effort to rein in quality issues, Ford said its Ontario engine plant would tear down one engine every single day and test it extensively in order to gain "real insight on how to protect quality,” and reduce warranty claims.
Unfortunately for Ford, its efforts towards improving recall rates have so far proved insufficient.
According to reports, the automaker has already issued 71 campaigns so far this year, which is more than competitors GM, Toyota and Hyundai combined.
Among these are three new recalls and they all impact the best-selling F-150 pickup.
Perhaps most notably, Ford says more than 223,000 F-150s from model years 2023-2027 are at risk for a rather catastrophic potential scenario.
According to a filing with the NHTSA, some F-150s left the factory with front fuel tanks that may have been “improperly secured.” As such, the tanks could leak or even completely detach from the trucks while being driven.
Carscoops says Ford became aware of this issue in July and is blaming strap T-slots “ that were not properly inserted into the vehicle’s frame rail during assembly.” Notifications will hit owner mailboxes soon, but Ford says it has already received 16 warranty claims related to this issue.
The other F-150 recalls are not as bad, but still… bad.
Ford recalled just 37 2026 F-150s which are equipped with its max tow package to address incorrect rear axle tail bearings. The result of this, according to reports, could mean rear wheels locking up or the driveshaft separating.
17 2026 F-150 Raptors were also recalled due to possible loose bolts -- a frustratingly common theme in automotive recalls. In this case, the trucks feature Panhard rod fasteners that may have been improperly tightened and could lead to a loss of vehicle control if they were to shift position.
Carscoops says "the company is blaming the oversight on an error-proofing device that was in bypass mode during production. As a result, they don’t have torque data for some vehicles."
Earlier this year, Ford was named the top major brand in the US in J.D. Power's initial quality ranking. At the time, Ford CEO Jim Farley told CNBC, “Our best days are in front of us as we continue to execute this quality turnaround."
Since 2023, said CNBC, Ford "has hired 350 technical specialists, held more routine meetings, encouraged closer collaboration with suppliers and rolled out more rigorous testing during the entire vehicle development process."
Farley said that "Ford’s quality efforts are a never-ending journey," though he believes the automaker is about halfway through its turnaround efforts.
