by New Ford Vehicle Recalls
Automakers usually rush to hand over keys to new car buyers by December 31st at the end of the year. However, Ford seems to be trying to achieve a completely different goal—to avoid adding new recalls to its total for 2025. Yet, the situation is developing differently, and the automaker has received several more reports of malfunctions.
Highlights of the new recalls:
Problem with Trunk Hinge Covers
The latest large-scale recall concerns 108,762 Ford Escape vehicles from model years 2020-2022 and 2025. The problem is technically simple: the rear door (liftgate) hinge covers may not be securely fastened and could come off the vehicle.
This means the decorative piece could fall off while parked, bounce onto the road while driving, or simply fly off spectacularly at a car wash, as if it decided to start a new life elsewhere.
Ford representatives stated that dealers will inspect the hinge covers and install new fasteners if necessary. This is a simple fix, but its timing is unfortunate for the company, which hoped to end the year without a new increase in its recall counter.
Lincoln Decorative Trim Also Falling Off
At the beginning of the next year, 11,852 Lincoln MKT SUVs from model years 2016-2019 will join Ford dealer service bays. They also have issues with trim falling off—in this case, it’s the plastic appliqués on the B-pillar.
Microscopic Recall Due to Engine Defect
The parade of recalls is not over yet. Ford also announced a third, albeit microscopic, recall concerning just six vehicles: 2026 Explorer, 2026 Mustang, 2026 Lincoln Corsair, and 2025 Maverick models. In these vehicles, an improperly manufactured cylinder head could lead to the failure of ball plugs, causing an oil leak.
The Cost of Reliability
In the recall rankings, Ford significantly outpaces other brands in the number of initiatives. For 2025, the company has already carried out 140 separate actions, with almost a month still left in the year.
Besides undermining owner trust, the large number of recalls costs Ford significant funds to correct defects. This is happening at a time when the company needs every dollar for designing and producing a new generation of, presumably, more reliable vehicles. Constant issues with component quality, from decorative trim to critical engine parts, point to systemic challenges in quality control at the manufacturing level. The success of future models will depend not only on innovative technologies but also on the company’s ability to ensure basic reliability of all components, which in the long term is key to retaining customers and financial stability.
