Ford announced 153 recalls affecting 13 million cars in 2025, emphasizing safety over sales. Discover what this means for owners and the industry.
As 2026 unfolds, automakers are busy celebrating sales milestones from the previous year. Ford, however, is making headlines for a different reason: a historic wave of vehicle recalls. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that Ford initiated 153 recall campaigns in 2025, affecting nearly 13 million vehicles. This figure not only eclipses the previous record of 77 recalls set by General Motors in 2014, it almost doubles it.
Scale of the 2025 Recall
The sheer volume of recall events – and the vehicles involved – underscores a new approach at Ford. While the data released only cover recalls up to 23 December 2025, analysts expect the final number to edge slightly higher as additional safety notices were issued after that date.
Why the Surge? Safety Over Sales
Ford executives stress that the increase is not a sign of deteriorating build quality. Instead, it reflects a strategic decision to stop “sweeping problems under the rug.” The company has doubled its safety‑team headcount, broadened testing protocols, and fast‑tracked software diagnostics. The goal is to catch defects early, before they spark lawsuits, fires, or viral videos.
Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s Chief Operating Officer, told Detroit News that the baseline quality of 2025 models has improved dramatically. “If something isn’t right, we act quickly,” he said, emphasizing a proactive stance rather than reactive damage control.
The “Gremlin” Code and Software Fixes
A recurring term in Ford’s recall communications is the “Gremlin” code. It describes hard‑to‑pinpoint glitches—often in electronics or software—that stump technicians. Roughly 40 % of the 2025 recall actions were actually software updates re‑issued because Ford could not verify whether earlier patches had been correctly installed.
Impact on Warranty Costs and Reputation
Early indicators suggest the strategy is paying off. Warranty expenses have begun to decline, a metric that typically drops only when vehicles break down less often. Galhotra links this trend directly to the higher initial quality of cars leaving the factory, which in turn reduces repair bills for owners.
Independent rankings are also reflecting the shift. Consumer Reports placed Ford in the top half of its reliability index for the first time in years, while J.D. Power reported modest gains, even though Ford still lags behind the industry average.
Dealer Challenges and Consumer Reaction
Despite the positive signs, the recall surge has created logistical headaches. Service bays at many dealerships are packed with warranty work, and some customers report delayed deliveries while their brand‑new cars undergo repairs. One dealer noted that Ford’s compensation for warranty labor does not always match the actual cost incurred.
For owners, the mixed messages can be confusing. On one hand, the recalls demonstrate a commitment to safety; on the other, the inconvenience of repeated service appointments can strain loyalty.
What This Means for the Industry
Ford’s transparent, high‑volume approach may set a new benchmark for automotive manufacturers worldwide. By confronting issues head‑on and investing heavily in safety resources, the automaker is positioning itself as a leader in quality assurance—albeit at a short‑term cost to its sales floor.
Customers and investors alike will be watching to see whether the reduced warranty spend and rising reliability scores translate into long‑term brand strength. One thing is clear: Ford’s record‑breaking recall campaign is a bold statement that safety is now a top‑priority, even if it means breaking a few records along the way.