Lately, Ford has received both good and bad news. JD Power recently named Ford the top mass-market brand in the U.S. in its Initial Quality Study, which hasn’t happened since 2010. The bad news: Ford is on par for its second-worst year of recalls.
Record-Breaking Recalls
Ford set a record for the most recalls in a year back in July 2025. By August 2025, Ford had amassed over 100 recalls. At the end of 2025, Ford issued 153 recalls for 13 million cars and trucks.
This year is looking slightly better, but not by much. According to the Department of Transportation, Ford has issued 56 recalls so far in 2026. In the past two weeks alone, Ford recalled thousands of SUVs and its best-selling F-150 trucks.
Not-So-Quick Fixes
So why all the recalls? A big problem is software. As technology advances, software updates are a fix for many car problems. The automaker is still required by law to file a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) even if the solution is a software update. For Ford in particular, a major problem has been a software audit that is forcing Ford to repeat previous recalls. For example, a vehicle may not have received the remedy, yet the repair was recorded as being successful.
Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley addressed this issue in a recent interview, acknowledging that the company needs to “improve its overall quality reputation, including long-term durability.”
Recall Overhaul
One of the fixes Farley alludes to will be the new vehicle launches across the Ford lineup, although he admits they need to be launched “perfectly.” Other steps Farley is taking include restructuring Ford’s leadership, tying bonuses to quality metrics, and revamping processes to proactively identify potential problems. This includes hiring 350 technical specialists since 2023, implementing more rigorous testing, and collaborating more closely with suppliers.
While Farley admits he can’t predict when Ford will no longer be the reigning recall champion, his outlook for the future of Ford is optimistic. “Our best days are in front of us as we continue to execute this quality turnaround for our investors, for employees, for our customers,” Farley said in a CNBC interview.
Until things turn around, 2025 and 2026 may be years Ford won’t want to recall.
