Ford Motor Company has unfortunately established itself as a leading player in vehicle recalls during 2025, setting new records with the number of recalls issued. By July, the Blue Oval had already issued 94 recalls affecting over 6.3 million vehicles, surpassing previous records held by competitors. This trend continued with additional significant recalls impacting various models.

One major recall targets 355,656 2025 and 2026 Super Duty trucks and 2025 F-150 pickups. The issue revolves around the instrument panels, specifically those with a remote cluster box, which may remain in a standby or blank state after certain ignition cycles. This defect could prevent drivers from seeing crucial information like speed or warning lights (e.g., check engine, ABS). The problem occurs when the instrument panel receives a CAN bus signal to wake up during a narrow window of its sleep entry sequence, preventing it from turning on again. Fortunately, the fix is a simple software update. Owners whose vehicles are not capable of over-the-air (OTA) updates or lack mobile dealer repair service will need to bring their trucks to a dealer. Due to the safety risks associated with driving without a functional instrument panel, Ford advises against driving affected vehicles to the dealer and will arrange for complimentary towing and recall service. Reimbursement is available for customers who previously paid for repairs directly related to this issue.

Another significant recall affects 100,900 2024-2026 Ford Ranger pickups. This recall addresses a critical safety concern involving the curtain airbags, which are designed to cushion impacts and prevent passenger ejection during a severe crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered during a safety audit that the Ranger marginally passed side impact tests. Further investigation by Ford and a third-party lab revealed that a small, 15/32-inch slit could be torn in the curtain airbag by an external source, specifically the inner reinforcement flange, causing premature deflation and barely meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The fix involves adding a shield to protect the curtain airbags during deployment; the airbags themselves do not require replacement. While owners are not currently advised to park their Rangers, the necessary part is not yet available, with notifications and repairs anticipated to begin in the second half of December.

A third substantial recall involves over 210,000 vehicles, including 2025 Ford Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility, and 2025 Lincoln Aviator models. This recall addresses a potentially defective Body Control Module (BCM), also referred to as BCMC, manufactured by Aptiv Services with an improperly soldered printed circuit board. This defect can lead to various electrical problems, most notably non-functional trailer lights and trailer-error messages when towing. Other potential symptoms include inoperative power windows or mirrors, the HVAC system blowing warm air, a non-working USB charger, a malfunctioning glove box light, or the horn not beeping when the alarm is activated. Ford's analysis suggests that if an Explorer or Aviator has reached 9,000 miles, its BCMC is likely fine; however, it is still recommended to have the vehicle inspected. Vehicles with less than 9,000 miles will have the BCMC replaced regardless of its verified condition, at no charge. While recall notices for owners were set to begin on October 13, the replacement BCMC parts will only become available between March 31 and April 3, 2026. Owners are strongly advised against towing anything until the replacement part is installed, and they should schedule an inspection and replacement once notified.