Ford

Ford’s lineup spans everything from a compact hatchback to heavy-duty trucks, and reliability varies enormously across that range – a Ranger and an Explorer don’t share much beyond the badge. This guide covers what that means in practice: real reliability data, the specific issues found on the Explorer, and what to know before buying.

Ford Recalls & Safety Notices

Model years 2017–2026

LIVE DATA · SOURCE: NHTSA

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— All models (5 latest recalls) —BroncoBronco 2drBronco 2dr IceBronco 4drBronco 4dr IceBronco SportBronco Sport Early ReleaseBronco Sport IceBronco Sport Later ReleaseC-maxCmax EnergiCmax HevE-150E-250E-350E-450EconolineEcosportEdgeEscapeEscape GasEscape Gas IceEscape HevEscape HybridEscape PhevEscape Phev PhevExpeditionExpedition ElExpedition IceExpedition MaxExpedition Max IceExplorerExplorer Gas IceExplorer HevExplorer Police InterceptF-150F-150 Regular CabF-150 Super CabF-150 (regular Cab) GasF-150 (regular Cab) Gas IceF-150 (super Cab) GasF-150 (super Cab) Gas IceF-150 (super Crew) GasF-150 (super Crew) Gas IceF-150 (super Crew) HevF-150 (super Crew) Hev HevF-150 (super Crew) Lightning BevF-150 Crew CabF-150 Regular CabF-150 Super CabF-150 Super Cab DieselF-150 Super CrewF-150 Super Crew DieselF-150 Super Crew HevF-150 SupercabF-150 Supercab DieselF-250 (crew Cab)F-250 (crew Cab) IceF-250 (regular Cab)F-250 (regular Cab) IceF-250 (super Cab)F-250 (super Cab) IceF-250 Crew CabF-250 Regular CabF-250 SdF-250 Super CabF-250 SupercabF-250 TremorF-250 Tremor (crew Cab)F-250 Tremor Crew CabF-350 (crew Cab)F-350 (regular Cab)F-350 (super Cab)F-350 CrewF-350 Crew CabF-350 Regular CabF-350 SdF-350 Super CabF-350 Super CrewF-350 SupercabF-450F-450 SdF-53F-550F-550 SdF-59F-600 SdF-650F-650 SdF-750F-750 SdF53F550FiestaFlexFocusFocus BevFocus RsFusionFusion EnergiFusion HevMaverickMaverick Early ReleaseMaverick HevMaverick Hev Early ReleaseMaverick Hev HevMaverick Hev Later ReleaseMaverick IceMaverick Later ReleaseMustangMustang ConvertibleMustang CoupeMustang Gt350rMustang Gt500Mustang IceMustang Mach-eMustang Mach-e BevMustang Mach-e Bev BevMustang No Rear Seat IcePolice Interceptor UtilitRangerRanger (super Cab)Ranger (super Crew)Ranger (super Crew) IceRanger Super CabRanger Super CrewTaurusTransitTransit Medium Roof (8,10,12) PassTransit ConnectTransit Connect VanTransit Connect WagonTransit High RoofTransit High Roof (8,10,12) PassTransit High Roof 12 PassTransit High Roof 15 PassTransit High Roof(8,10,12) PassTransit Low Roof (8,10,12) PassTransit Low Roof 12 PassTransit Low Roof 15 PassTransit Low Roof(8,10,12) PassTransit Medium Roof (8,10,12) PassTransit Medium Roof 12 PassTransit Medium Roof 15 PassTransit Medium Roof(8,10,12) PassTransit VanTransit Van - GasTransit Van Battery ElectricTransit Van BevTransit Van Gas IceTransit Wagon - High Roof 12 Pass IceTransit Wagon - High Roof 15 Pass IceTransit Wagon - Low Roof 12 Pass IceTransit Wagon - Low Roof 15 Pass IceTransit Wagon - Med Roof 12 Pass IceTransit Wagon - Med Roof 15 Pass IceShow

Ford — 5 latest recalls (all models)

Most recent NHTSA safety recalls across every Ford model.

Live · NHTSA

Date	Vehicle	Campaign	Component	Summary
2026-08-25	Ford Mustang MY 2025	26V547000 ↗	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness ground connections may fracture and result in a loss of drive power, or a loss of function in the windshield washing system, headlights, air conditioning, or engine cooling fan. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," and 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems." Consequence A loss of driver power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, a loss of headlight function or windshield washing system function can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will replace the engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 31, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C40. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
2026-08-20	Ford F-650 Sd MY 2025	26V568000 ↗	STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS	Marathon Industries Inc. (Marathon Industries) is recalling one 2025 Ford F-650 SD vehicle. The deck pins may break, resulting in the liftgate platform falling. Consequence A liftgate that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury. Remedy Marathon Industries will work with the supplier, Hiab, to inspect the platform bushings and hydraulic systems and replace the deck pins, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 2026. Owner may contact Marathon Industries' customer service at 1-661-286-1520.
2026-07-21	Ford Explorer MY 2025	26V470000 ↗	SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST	Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start. Consequence Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 31, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
2026-07-14	Ford Explorer MY 2025	26V451000 ↗	SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY	Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly. Consequence A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
2026-06-30	Ford Mustang MY 2025	26V418000 ↗	VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR	Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang and 2025-2026 Mustang GTD vehicles. During certain cold temperature conditions, the windshield wipers may function only at their high-speed setting and the washing system may fail to function properly. Consequence Windshield wipers or a washing system that fails to function as intended can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 2, 2026.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Updated hourly

A Wide Range, A Wide Range of Outcomes

Ford’s reliability reputation depends heavily on which model and generation you’re looking at. Simpler, mechanically conservative models tend to hold up well; models built around major architectural changes, like the current-generation Explorer’s shift to a new rear-wheel-drive-based platform, tend to carry more first-generation risk. That pattern, a rocky launch followed by gradual improvement through running production changes, shows up repeatedly across Ford’s recent history.

Explore Ford Models

This guide covers the Explorer in depth below – the most-documented Ford model on this site. Other models will link out here as their own guides are published.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Fords reliable?

It varies significantly by model and generation. Ford doesn’t have a single brand-wide reliability story the way some manufacturers do – check the specific model and model year rather than assuming based on the badge alone.