Ford Motor Company has faced an unprecedented number of vehicle recalls throughout 2025, solidifying its position as a leading entity in recall actions within the automotive industry. By July, the Blue Oval had issued an astounding 94 recalls affecting over 6.3 million vehicles, establishing a new record with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This trend of significant recalls continued, impacting various popular models and addressing critical safety and operational concerns.

One notable recall targets 355,656 2025 and 2026 Super Duty trucks and 2025 F-150 pickups due to a potential instrument panel malfunction. The issue arises when the digital display, located between the speedometer and tachometer, may remain in a blank or standby state after certain ignition cycles. This can occur if the instrument panel receives a CAN bus signal to wake up during a narrow window of its sleep entry sequence. The critical consequence is that drivers may lose visibility of their speed, as well as crucial warning lights such as the check engine, ABS, or other vital messages. Fortunately, the resolution for this issue is a straightforward software update. However, for vehicles not capable of over-the-air (OTA) updates or without access to mobile dealer repair services, a visit to a Ford dealer may be necessary. Given the inherent danger of driving without access to speed information or warning indicators, Ford advises owners not to drive affected trucks to the dealership. Instead, Ford dealers are instructed to arrange for towing services at no charge, with any previous related repairs also eligible for reimbursement from Ford Motor Company.

Another significant recall affects 100,900 units of the 2024–2026 Ford Ranger. This recall addresses a severe safety concern related to the curtain airbags, which are designed to protect occupants during side impacts and prevent ejection. The defect was brought to light during a safety audit conducted by NHTSA on the 2025 Ford Ranger, where the vehicle marginally passed side impact tests. Further investigation by Ford and a third-party lab revealed that a small tear, approximately 15/32 of an inch long, could be created in the curtain airbag by an external source, specifically the inner reinforcement flange, leading to premature deflation. This tearing could compromise the airbag's ability to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The affected Rangers include all current-generation models built from the start of production on December 9, 2022, up until a manufacturing fix was implemented on July 29, 2025. The remedy involves adding a protective shield to the curtain airbags during deployment, eliminating the need to replace the airbags themselves. While the necessary parts are not yet available, Ford anticipates notifying owners and commencing repairs in the second half of December. Owners are currently not advised to cease driving their Rangers.

The extensive recall list for 2025 also includes over 210,000 units of the 2025 Ford Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility (based on the Explorer), and the 2025 Lincoln Aviator. This recall addresses issues stemming from a potentially defective Body Control Module (BCMC), manufactured by Aptiv Services, which may contain an improperly soldered printed circuit board. The primary symptom identified is the failure of trailer lights to operate when a trailer is connected, often accompanied by a trailer-error message on your dashboard. However, the BCMC defect can manifest in a wider range of electrical issues, including inoperative power windows or mirrors, warm air from the HVAC system, non-functional USB chargers, a deactivated glove box light, or even the horn failing to beep when the alarm function is activated. Ford's analysis suggests that vehicles that have accrued 9,000 miles or more are less likely to experience this issue, indicating a potential stabilization of the BCMC after a certain period of use. Nevertheless, it is still recommended for all owners of affected vehicles, regardless of mileage, to bring their vehicles in for inspection. For vehicles with less than 9,000 miles, the BCMC will be replaced automatically. Recall notices for these models are expected to begin on October 13, but there's a significant delay for the actual replacement parts, which are projected to become available only between March 31 and April 3, 2026. Owners of vehicles below the 9,000-mile threshold are advised to refrain from towing anything until the replacement BCMC is installed, and all owners should schedule their inspection and part replacement as soon as they receive notification.

These multiple, large-scale recalls underscore a challenging year for Ford in terms of manufacturing quality and product reliability. The diverse nature of the defects—ranging from critical safety components like airbags and instrument panels to complex electrical modules affecting multiple vehicle functions—highlights the broad scope of issues Ford has been compelled to address in 2025 to ensure the safety and functionality of its vehicles.