Ford tops US recall charts in 2025 with 153 campaigns affecting over 12.9 million vehicles. Learn the details and what it means for car owners.
In 2025, Ford became the undisputed leader of vehicle recalls in the United States, launching a staggering 153 recall campaigns that impacted 12,926,436 vehicles. The figure eclipses the combined total of the next nine manufacturers, making Ford the focal point of automotive safety discussions this year.
Recall Totals at a Glance
- Total recall campaigns (including Lincoln): 153
- Vehicles affected: 12,926,436
- Average interval between recalls: Every 2.5 days
- Vehicles added to recall lists per day: ~35,414
How Ford Compared to Other Automakers
When the numbers of the other major U.S. manufacturers are added together, they total 12,902,842 vehicles—just shy of Ford’s own tally. Here’s a quick ranking of the top players:
- Toyota: 15 recall campaigns, affecting 3,223,256 vehicles.
- Stellantis: 53 campaigns, 2,776,952 vehicles.
- Honda & Acura: 21 campaigns, 1,560,813 vehicles.
- Hyundai, Genesis, Kia (combined): 34 campaigns, over 2.6 million vehicles.
Largest Individual Recalls
Ford dominated the list of the biggest single‑model recalls. Two of its campaigns each covered roughly 1.45 million vehicles and were linked to rear‑view camera malfunctions. A third Ford recall affecting about 1.08 million vehicles was addressed through an over‑the‑air (OTA) software update.
Toyota’s biggest 2025 recall, affecting 1.02 million cars, also centered on a rear‑camera defect.
Data Limitations and Outlook
The statistics are compiled up to December 31, 2025. Because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) often releases data with a delay, the final numbers for the last 12 days of the year were not yet available when Carscoops published its ranking. While the totals may rise slightly, industry analysts believe Ford’s lead is unlikely to be overtaken in that missing window.
Why Remote Updates Matter for Ford
Ford’s extensive focus on connected‑car technology has become a decisive factor in handling recalls. From the F‑150 and Mustang to the Bronco, many models can receive OTA patches that solve safety issues without a dealership visit, reducing downtime for owners and costs for the automaker.
Recall Landscape in 2024 – A Brief Comparison
Just a year earlier, Tesla held the title of “recall king” with 5,135,697 vehicles affected. Stellantis led in the number of recall events (67), while Ford logged 63 campaigns that impacted 4,382,623 vehicles. The 2025 surge marks a dramatic jump for Ford, putting the brand back at the top of the recall leaderboard.
For consumers, staying informed about recall notices—especially those that can be fixed remotely—remains critical to vehicle safety and peace of mind.