5 Automakers With the Most Recalls So Far for 2025 & the Last Decade
By mid-year, Ford issued 88 safety recalls, breaking the previous full-year record for any manufacturer. In May, Ford recalled 1.1 million vehicles for a software issue that could cause the rearview camera to display a blank or frozen image. This month, the American automaker recalled 850,000 cars due to a problem that could result in a low-pressure fuel pump failure, potentially causing the engine to stall while driving. Weeks later, Ford recalled almost 700,000 vehicles due to a fuel leak issue that posed a fire risk.
In 2025, U.S. vehicle recalls doubled during Q2 to 7.3 million, BizzyCar reports. This figure represents the highest quarterly total since early 2024, following Q1, which saw 3.46 million recalls. During Q2, back-over prevention, or features helping prevent accidents when an automobile is reversing, was the most-recalled component, with 2.59 million vehicles impacted. Engine and engine cooling recalls were also common at 1.14 million, along with Service Brakes and Hydraulics at 775,000. The three "Do Not Drive" recalls during Q2 were all from Ford and affected 2,350 vehicles.
One might expect Ford to have had the most recalls from 2015 to 2024, but it actually came in second behind Forest River's 505 with 458. Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz USA, and Daimler Trucks North America filled out the rest of the top five from 2015 to 2024 at 386, 332, and 328, respectively. Forest River's recalls, which have led the RV industry over the past decade, typically stem from manufacturing issues. While Forest River boasts a high manufacturing rate, ranking second in the RV market share behind THOR Industries, RV plants, such as those at Forest River, rely heavily on hand assembly. Workers at these facilities can be paid at a piece rate or by the number of vehicles they produce, rather than an hourly wage. Some argue that piece-rate work incentivizes workers to prioritize speed over quality. Forest River, owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, now sells over 100,000 RVs annually, earning over $6 billion in revenue.
Data suggests that Ford's recalls in 2025 primarily relate to complex electronic and fuel system defects, while piece-rate pay for hand assembly seems to be contributing to Forest River's woes. Forest River's recall records indicate manufacturing issues, such as punctured microwaves resulting from improper screw lengths and misaligned furnace flues, which were discovered after an inspector quit, according to Consumer Affairs. While Forest River has the most recalls from 2015 to 2024, Ford's lead so far in 2025 is significant enough to spark concern among brand loyalists.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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