At this point, it is extremely well known that Ford has been struggling to correct issues related to quality. Ford CEO Jim Farley has repeatedly outlined the Blue Oval’s seemingly extensive efforts to eliminate issues that result in problems down the line for its lineup when its vehicles get into the hands of consumers. That said fully excising those issues remains a sharp thorn in the automaker’s side, one that will likely remain in place for some time. And for the time being, the company’s current woes can be seen in the amount of recalls it has issued for incorrect repairs. But the company didn’t typically issue so many recalls for incorrect repairs until recently. Fortunately, there’s a fairly simple explanation for why that’s been happening.
The recent spate of recalls to fix incorrect repairs almost certainly relates to the consent order the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration secured with Ford in November 2024. As part of the agreement, Ford agreed to a civil penalty of $165 million after the agency found that the automaker did not recall vehicles with defective rearview cameras in a satisfactory manner and also violated the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act by failing to provide accurate and complete recall information in accordance with the law.
Aside from the civil penalty – the second largest in NHTSA history – the consent order included a substantial set of non-monetary provisions to compel Ford to properly comply with the law. Chief among those provisions is the inclusion of an independent third party to oversee the automaker and make recommendations regarding the company’s ability to not only comply with the consent order, but all federal regulations. Additionally, NHTSA is requiring the company to revamp its safety data analytics infrastructure collection practices as it relates to internal and NHTSA-initiated safety investigations.
All of this builds to the key portion of the consent order. As part of the agreement, Ford is required to review every recall issued over the last three years (dating back to November 2021) to ensure they’ve been properly handled and to issue a new recall if necessary. This is likely why certain 2021 Ford F-150 pickups were recalled to fix an incorrect repair – the company now has better systems in place to identify when issues with recalls aren’t being properly addressed.
The consent order is likely the reason why Ford has issued so many recalls in 2025 too. As of this writing, the automaker has issued a staggering 69 recalls in the United States – far above Volkswagen’s runner up position of 15 recalls. Once again, the consent order is likely responsible for this phenomenon, as it requires Ford to revamp its recall decision-making process in a comprehensive manner. That includes increasing the speed of its recalls. The consent order remains in effect until November 2027, with NHTSA reserving the right to extend it through 2028.
Comments
Can you say JUNK?
For me to poop on!
How many more first time and repeat recalls (to fix the same recall a second time) does Ford Motor Co has to issue before Failure Farley is fired. Failure Farley has consistently proven he’s not the right person to correct Ford’s quality control issues.
Pathetic.
Farley has trashed a great company.
When will Bill Ford wake up?
Farley isn’t the only one with Ford that needs to be replaced. Some of the dealerships need customer service training to be equal or better than the competition. Cut the fat in corporate to lower prices to the buyers.
order a 2025 ford ranger in january 30 2025 i got a build date july 7 2025 way does it take so long to built it
The only explanation for a recall is “poor quality” for what ever reason that may be. And sadly, as we all know, Ford as plenty of that to go around!
Not in any way saying Ford should not fix recalls properly, but …
– Were ANY of those NHTSA elected?
– Were any/all of the rules NHTSA are implementing approved by Congress?
– Seems reasonable that NHTSA would have a closed door meeting with Ford prior to laying on a $200M fine which seems excessive given Ford’s financial position. Ford, along with other manufacturers have been strongly impacted by mandated EV and EV battery production in support of government mandates. Vehicles, if the consumers wanted would not need government (that’s you and me) $7.5K kickback. They then have to squeeze suppliers, and raise prices to the point affordability is the issue for the consumer (average sale price is ~$50K). Sales are down and used vehicle prices are crazy high.
– Suspect most recalls have to do with suppliers. Like most manufacturers, Ford is putting pressure on those suppliers (and finding new ones due to COVID going out of business losses) and the issues are with those suppliers as they have to cut cost too.
None of this excuses the fact consumers have a right to expect recalls to be fixed properly the first time. Personally, Ford should rehire Alan Mulally and pay him whatever he asks. Regardless of whether you like Ford or not, it would be a shame if they go under.
Couldn’t be they rid of the experienced engineers, and outsourced to contracts, India, and South America in the same timeframe? Called verification prior to release, not letting the customer test it.
Thats the problems with jet engines repaired or refurbished There sent to third world countries for the work. All of this puts the flying public in jeopardy and continued to be allowed to do it.
Along the same line, Ford needs to fix its warranty process. The rear end of our 2022 Bronco failed way back in April (along with losing 4WD for the 5th time – no solution for that other than “Turn it off and unplug battery and that might reset it”). First dealer said “Oh there’s probably just something wrong with the rear tire that’s making the noise, take it back where you got the tire” (which tire was brand new). Nothing wrong with tire. Took it to second dealership April 30th as clearly the idiots at the first dealership didnt know what they were doing (when we bring any of our 3 Ford vehicles in for recall work per the notices we receive in the mail, they immediately tell us “Oh, that recall doesnt apply to you, dont worry about it”.) We waited 1 week for dealer #2 to order parts which took another 3 weeks. Bronco was repaired as of May 28th, but we can’t get a warranty decision under power train warranty or extended warranty. Yes we could pay the approximately $6500 out of pocket and hopefully be reimbursed under the warranty. But then Ford would have no skin in the game and tell us to walk. The dealership tells us they are waiting for Ford “engineers” (term used loosely) to figure out how to fix the cause. Honestly, I don’t care and I’m tired of them thinking our vehicle is their science experiment. No one is coming clean as to whether a claim has even been filed, but here I am making yet another payment on a vehicle sitting at the dealership. It’s Day 43 of the Bronco hostage situation. So it appears that Ford handles warranty work as well as they handle recalls.
My 3/3/25 Ford order of the Expedition platinum with the ultimate package, has been set back 3 times, now it’s August 4th…..WTF ?
One of the reasons there’s so many recalls is because Ford is trying to cut costs by using poor quality parts dealers, which cost Ford just as much money if not more. Ole saying goes like this, ” you can pay a little now or a lot later”.
I have a Lincoln Aviator. Second one since 2020. Great car, no reliability issues. I will say that whenever I take it to the dealer for the oil & other services due, they go through the recall list the car needs and they perform those whether or not I have had any of the recall list symptoms – I have had 1 of the recall issues across both cars in 5 years of ownership. I think FoMoCo is being proactive and due to the recalls from a small number of vehicles reporting such issues, the fact that my car is getting “fixed” even though I have not had such issues is proof that the recall list is skewed in a false direction. These same numbers are what publications like Consumer’s Reports use to build theiir rankings of “reliability”. And across the total number or Aviators built, the actual defect rate is not as reported and not as bad as the Federal Government is forcing a compliance program for. Would it be different under a different administration vs. the past one that was very anti-fossil fuel? The federal government was dictating the market for years – just as California is trying to do. If their subjective, agend-driven perception was that Ford was not doing “enough”, then they would punish Ford using such a compliance program. Recalls are a very convenient way to slide that punishment in. Deep State priorities, Deep State games…..
Well said
I am glad that Ford/Lincoln are proactive with recalling when an issue is uncovered. I am not so sure that other vehicle manufacturers are as proactive. Easier for them to look the other way.
The rot starts from the top, Farley needs to resign.
Get rid of Farley, one of Fords worst. Appoint a New CEO with a vision to fix the quality issues at Ford and focus on what customers want from such an iconic company.
Although Ford is one of many with quality issues, I believe with a shake up of management they can bounce back. Look at GM 700k + recall for engines failures.