19 hours ago
Ford issues six recalls in one day for half a million cars
Ford is asking drivers to return to the dealership mechanic. Again. The Detroit automaker issued six recalls on Monday, according to a bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It's the latest in a yearslong stream of recalls for the car company. Overall, 534,755 vehicles — including some of America's best-selling models — are impacted by the recalls.
The largest recall involves 304,662 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs built between 2020 and 2025. The six and seven passenger SUVs may have a faulty part in the second row, possibly resulting in seats 'unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.'
Ford is also recalling 197,432 Mustang Mach-E models sold between 2021 and 2025 after investigators found a problem with the 12V battery. If the accessory battery runs low, it risks 'trapping someone who is unable to use the inside door release handles.' Another 276 Mach-Es risk rolling away after the driver puts the car in park.
Another 27,768 four-door Bronco SUVs were recalled for a potentially faulty child safety lock. An additional 2,272 Broncos might have an issue with airbags deploying, and 2,345 F-Series trucks risk brake failure. Ford has issued 78 recalls so far this year , far more than any other automaker.
The next five most-recalled brands — Chrysler, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, and Honda — have just 67 recalls combined. This year's Ford recalls span a range of issues, including powertrain fixes, technical reboots , seatbelt realignments, and backup camera adjustments.
In a 2024 earnings call, Ford CEO Jim Farley said the company spent $4.8 billion annually on recalls. The top boss unveiled a 'build and hold' model for several US-built models. After the products finished rolling through Ford assembly plants, the car company held trucks in giant parking lots, allowing engineers to assess their build quality.
Farley said the new process helped the company avoid 12 safety and technical recalls. It also temporarily cut into profits . 'Our earnings may be a little lumpy,' he said during an April 2024 earnings call. 'What we're going to see long term is fewer recalls and lower warranty costs because of this new process.'
