Ford’s Record Recall Year: What the Numbers Actually Show
Ford issued more recalls in 2025 than any other automaker in a single modern year, affecting millions of vehicles and raising questions about quality, complexity, and industry oversight.
If you own a truck, tow regularly, or follow the automotive industry closely, this story is worth your time because the numbers are unusually large and unusually concentrated around one brand. In 2025, Ford issued 153 recalls in the United States. Those actions are tracked through federal safety reporting on the NHTSA recall database.
Measured another way, Ford recalled approximately 12.9 million vehicles in 2025. That figure is compiled from recall campaigns filed with the federal regulator and reported through industry data aggregation. If you want a reminder of how quickly consumer affordability has shifted even before recall headlines enter the conversation, Test Miles explored that reality in The $20,000 Car Is Dead in 2026.
Why does this matter right now?
The latest major action involves roughly 4.4 million vehicles recalled due to a software issue that can cause a loss of communication between the towing vehicle and an attached trailer. Trailer tail lights and turn signals may fail to illuminate, and trailer braking function could stop working. Owners can verify campaign status using the official VIN lookup tool.
Ford has stated it is not aware of accidents, injuries, or fires related to this software issue. The company began investigating the problem in October 2025 and plans to deploy a remote software update, with dealer service available at no charge. That software-first approach mirrors how modern vehicles such as the Toyota C-HR 2026 EV rely heavily on digital architecture.
The recall affects Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs from model years 2021 through 2026, with Ford F-150 and F-250 pickups accounting for more than 3.4 million of the recalled vehicles. The F-150 remains America’s best-selling vehicle by volume, as documented by Car and Driver. Owners can confirm recall remedies through Ford Support.
Recall volume reflects engineering oversight, manufacturing quality, and software reliability. In 2025, Ford’s 153 recalls exceeded the totals of major competitors by a significant margin. Industry-wide recall reporting and regulatory analysis are regularly tracked by Reuters.
The defect category is shifting. A growing share of high-volume campaigns now involve software and digital communication layers rather than purely mechanical components. The 4.4 million vehicle recall illustrates how communication interruptions between modules can affect lighting and braking performance.
The broader industry shift toward digital ecosystems can be seen in product strategies such as Audi Brings Fans Closer to F1 with New Adidas Merchandise, where connectivity and software integration shape brand experience.
How does it compare to rivals or alternatives?
Annual recall records differ from lifetime totals. Historically, General Motors has issued more total recalls across decades of regulation. However, in a single calendar year, Ford’s 2025 recall count stands as a modern record.
Ford’s approximately 12.9 million recalled vehicles in 2025 exceeded the totals reported by Toyota, Stellantis, Honda, and General Motors during the same period. That establishes unusually high recall activity relative to peers that year.
This comparison lands in a marketplace where consumers are re-evaluating complexity and ownership trade-offs. As explained in Why Hybrids Are Suddenly the Smarter Choice Over EVs in 2026, reliability and practicality are central to buying decisions.
Who is this for and who should skip it?
If you own a 2021–2026 Ford truck, SUV, or van, this is directly relevant. Owners who tow should confirm recall status and ensure their vehicles receive the required update.
If you are shopping for a Ford truck, recall history is part of due diligence. It affects service planning and ownership confidence, though it does not automatically determine daily performance.
What is the long-term significance?
Modern vehicles integrate advanced driver assistance systems, electronic braking controls, and over-the-air update capability. Software density increases both functionality and systemic exposure.
Regulatory decisions and industry oversight shape how manufacturers respond to large recall volumes. Similar regulatory ripple effects were explored in Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs: Will Your Next Car Cost Less?, where policy shifts directly affected consumer expectations.
Ford’s 2025 recall record remains a documented fact. The scale reflects both the complexity of modern vehicles and the structure of automotive safety oversight. Whether recall frequency declines in future years will determine how this chapter is ultimately viewed.
