Ford Recalls 2.1 Million Vehicles for Steering and Transmission Defects
Ford Motor Company has initiated a recall affecting 2.1 million vehicles across 2020 to 2024 model years, citing intermittent steering loss in the ‘F-150’ and ‘Bronco’ and unexpected downshifts in the ‘Explorer’ and ‘Lincoln Aviator’. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved the campaign after investigating 1,200 consumer complaints and 13 crashes linked to these issues. Dealers will inspect and reprogram power steering modules at no cost, with notifications mailing to owners starting December 15.
Steering failures stem from a software glitch in the electronic power-assisted system, where low battery voltage triggers a temporary deactivation, reducing driver control at speeds above 20 mph. Affected ‘F-150’ units, totaling 1.4 million, include 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V8 variants built at Dearborn Truck Plant. Ford’s internal testing replicated the fault in 8 percent of sampled vehicles, prompting a field service action that extends to 150,000 ‘Bronco’ SUVs from Wayne Assembly.
Transmission concerns involve the 10R80 automatic, which can erroneously shift to first gear during light braking, causing abrupt deceleration and rear-end collision risks. This impacts 550,000 ‘Explorer’ crossovers with 2.3-liter EcoBoost engines and 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6s, plus 50,000 ‘Aviator’ luxury SUVs. NHTSA data logs 240 reports of unintended downshifts, with five minor injuries noted in preliminary reviews.
Remedy procedures require 45 minutes per vehicle, focusing on over-the-air updates where compatible, or wired calibrations for older infotainment systems. Ford allocates $120 million for the recall, drawing from its $11.9 billion warranty reserve as of Q3 earnings. Production pauses at Chicago Assembly Plant for one week ensure outgoing ‘Explorer’ models incorporate the fix, minimizing future liabilities.
Broader scrutiny falls on supplier Magna International, provider of the steering racks, which faces parallel recalls for 300,000 units in competitor models. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation reports average recall volumes rose 12 percent in 2025, driven by software proliferation in ADAS features. Consumer advocacy group Center for Auto Safety estimates 15 percent of owners may delay service due to dealership backlogs, projecting a three-month completion window.
Ford’s response includes enhanced diagnostic tools in the FordPass app, alerting owners to battery health via push notifications. Historical context reveals similar EPAS issues in 2018 ‘F-150′ recalls, resolved through hardware retrofits affecting 1.2 million trucks. This latest action elevates Ford’s 2025 recall tally to 4.8 million vehicles, surpassing General Motors’ 3.9 million per NHTSA trackers.
Market ripple effects include a 2.1 percent dip in Ford’s stock during after-hours trading, closing at $10.87. Analysts at Barclays maintain a hold rating, citing robust ‘F-Series’ demand offsetting repair costs. USMCA compliance remains intact, as 92 percent of affected parts source from North American facilities. Owner forums on Reddit’s r/Ford report 65 percent satisfaction with prior recall executions, though wait times average 28 days in high-volume states like Texas and Michigan.
Safety advocates press for mandatory over-the-air mandates in federal guidelines, potentially influencing 2026 model certifications. Ford commits to quarterly progress reports to NHTSA, targeting 80 percent remediation by March 2026. The recall underscores vulnerabilities in electrified steering systems, with 70 percent of new vehicles adopting EPAS by 2030 per IHS Markit projections.
