FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Rhyme and Reason to Ford Recalls

Automaker says its emphasis on safety is behind industry-leading callbacks.

July 29, 2025
Rhyme and Reason to Ford Recalls

Ford recalled about 30,000 F-150 Lightning pickups in the spring due to a potential production error that could have caused steering loss. The recall was meant to address all units made before an improved tooling design was introduced.

Credit:

Ford

2 min to read


Ford trained a positive light on its frequent vehicle recalls in a statement promoting an emphasis on safety.

The statement by the automaker’s chief operating officer, Kumar Galhotra, said Ford has “significantly improved product quality,” and points out its three model awards in J.D. Power’s recent study of new-owner satisfaction.

Ad Loading...

Ford’s recalls have increased in frequency due to its “intensive strategy to quickly find and fix hardware and software issues and go the extra mile to help protect customers,” Galhotra said.

Through June, the automaker has issued the most U.S. recalls of any company at 84, according to Consumer Shield, citing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. The next highest is 21 by recreational vehicle manufacturer Forest River, followed by Volkswagen’s U.S. arm with 17.

Ford more than doubled the number of people on its safety team in the past two years and ramped up testing of systems such as power trains, steering and brakes, applying insights into vehicle production and flagging issues on older vehicles, he said. In addition, it’s improved its software validations to confirm the correct versions are used, and pushes over-the-air updates “to address potential warranty issues before they become customer issues.”

Ford also tests all of its new auto products in various customer scenarios, according to the statement.

“We will not compromise our responsibility to all our customers, not just those buying new vehicles, Galhotra said. “We believe this approach will lead to systemic and lasting positive change and help us reach world-class levels for quality, safety and customer satisfaction.”

Ad Loading...

More Industry

red Jeep Wrangler driving over rocky terrain
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMarch 9, 2026

Jeep Wrangler Safety Increases

Thanks to improvements made to the frame rail of Jeep Wranglers, all units built after October earn an acceptable IIHS rating for a combination of driver- and passenger-side tests.

Read More →
Industryby StaffMarch 6, 2026

Explore the 12 Rules for an F&I Life at EFI

EFI 2026 will take place April 13–15 at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.

Read More →
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceMarch 4, 2026

Used-Vehicle Program Aims to Draw More Buyers

GM says more than 750 dealers across the U.S. are enrolled in CarBravo and that in January CarBravo dealers sold over two times the certified volume of Chevrolet, Buick and GMC dealers using traditional CPO.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Hannah MitchellMarch 2, 2026

Meet the Editor: Hannah Mitchell

A longtime newspaper journalist, Bobit Dealer Group's editor was raised on news back in the South. Now she brings that news-hound ethic to our four auto retail magazines.

Read More →
Industryby StaffMarch 2, 2026

Prove You Can Do F&I at EFI

‘So You Think You Can Do F&I’ is a live role-play contest taking place at the 2026 Ethical F&I Managers Conference.

Read More →
Industryby Hannah MitchellMarch 2, 2026

Auto Brands Hold the Line on Retention

A flat national rate despite inflation and other financial challenges shows industry loyalty stability, annual Reynolds and Reynolds research finds.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 27, 2026

Audi of America Gains New Exec

According to board member Marco Schubert, the German automaker 'is well positioned to enhance its competitiveness in both North America and China,' and part of that includes management shifts.

Read More →
Industryby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 25, 2026

Report Finds Year-End F&I Strength

Deal volume ebbed and flowed throughout 2025, but product performance remained steady, according to automotive technology and data intelligence solutions provider StoneEagle.

Read More →
Auto Financeby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 23, 2026

Auto Loan Forecast Bucks Market Trend

Auto loan originations rose over 6% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2025, but TransUnion predicts a slight decline in auto loan growth this year, making it an outlier in the company's overall lending forecast.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 23, 2026

Auspicious in Alabama

Valuing employees, growing wisely, keeping up with tech, and contributing to stores’ communities cultivate success.

Read More →