It seems like 2025 just won’t give Ford a break. After dealing with a major recall of over 1.1 million vehicles in May due to a software failure, the company now faces yet another serious issue. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that Ford is recalling an additional 312,000 vehicles—this time due to a dangerous braking problem. This second blow in less than a year could take a serious toll on the brand’s image and consumer trust.
Ford
Ford Motor Company is one of the most iconic names in the auto industry. Founded by Henry Ford in 1903 in Detroit, it revolutionized vehicle manufacturing with the introduction of assembly line production. What started as a bold idea became the gold standard for factories worldwide. Today, Ford’s operations go far beyond building cars. It also provides financial services through Ford Credit and invests heavily in research for electric vehicles and autonomous driving.
But even giants like Ford can stumble—and 2025 has been one misstep after another.
Recall
The latest recall affects five 2024 vehicle models: the Lincoln Navigator, F-150 truck, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger. According to the NHTSA, these vehicles suffer from a fault in the electronic brake booster (EBB). The issue shows up both during regular driving and when using advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), leading to a loss of braking support.
In simple terms, this means the brakes might not respond properly when drivers need them most, increasing the risk of accidents. That’s a serious concern, especially for families and commuters relying on these vehicles daily.
Recalls
To make things worse, this new recall follows closely on the heels of a massive one earlier this year. Back in May, Ford had to pull nearly 1.1 million vehicles off the road due to a software issue. Specifically, the problem involved the rearview cameras. They displayed a distorted image or no image at all, creating a safety hazard when reversing.
That recall also included models with combustion engine issues that caused some vehicles to stall unexpectedly. Models like the Mustang, Bronco, Expedition, Transit, and Mach-E were all affected.
Let’s take a look at the numbers:
Recall Date | Vehicles Affected | Reason |
---|---|---|
May 2025 | 1.1 million | Rear camera & engine issues |
August 2025 | 312,000 | Brake booster failure (EBB) |
Safety
The core of the current issue lies in the braking system—a vital safety feature. When the EBB malfunctions, it reduces the power support normally provided during braking. Drivers may need to press harder on the pedal or find the braking response delayed altogether. This problem becomes even more dangerous when ADAS is active, as the system might fail to react correctly in critical moments.
The risk of collisions increases significantly, especially at high speeds or in emergency braking situations. This is why the NHTSA moved quickly to enforce the recall.
Impact
The repeated recalls are doing more than just pulling vehicles off the road—they’re chipping away at consumer confidence. Car buyers care deeply about safety, reliability, and brand trust. With back-to-back recalls in one year, Ford may struggle to retain loyal customers, let alone attract new ones.
For a brand that prides itself on innovation and leadership in the automotive world, these setbacks are hard to ignore. Consumers might begin to question whether Ford’s push toward advanced technology and new vehicle features is coming at the cost of quality control.
So the big question is—can Ford recover? That will depend not only on how they fix the current issues but also on how they handle customer concerns, improve transparency, and ensure long-term product reliability.
FAQs
Which Ford models are recalled in August 2025?
Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger.
What’s the issue with the recalled vehicles?
Brake booster (EBB) failure causes loss of braking aid.
How many vehicles were recalled in May 2025?
Approximately 1.1 million vehicles.
What caused the May 2025 recall?
Software issues in rear cameras and engine stalling.
Is Ford losing customer trust?
Frequent recalls may lead to reduced consumer confidence.