Ford has emerged as the top company with the highest number of recalls in the first half of 2023, continuing a trend from the previous year. According to data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford has already issued 31 recalls this year, impacting over 4.1 million vehicles in the United States. While these figures indicate a slight improvement compared to the same period in the previous year, when Ford issued 44 recalls affecting more than 6.7 million vehicles, it remains concerning that the company still struggles with quality issues.
Among the vehicles most affected by these recalls are the Ford Fusion and the Lincoln MKZ, with approximately 1.3 million older models being recalled due to a potential rupture in the front brake hoses. Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, has acknowledged that improving quality will be a long and ongoing process, possibly taking several years to fully resolve. However, Ford is actively working towards this goal, and the 2023 Super Duty truck range is being manufactured using new quality control methods, serving as a crucial test of the company’s commitment to building better vehicles.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that issuing recalls is preferable to ignoring potential quality issues, especially when they pose safety risks. Ford acknowledges this responsibility and aims to achieve best-in-class quality performance for its F-150, Super Duty, Bronco, and Ranger trucks, as well as Transit vans, by 2025. Ford spokesperson Maria Buczkowski emphasized the company’s commitment to promptly detecting and resolving quality issues to ensure customer satisfaction. Recalls serve as a visible aspect of Ford’s overall dedication to improving quality performance.
While Ford leads the pack with the highest number of recalls, it is worth mentioning that Stellantis North America, the second-highest company on the list, issued 26 recalls affecting over 1.7 million vehicles. This suggests that Ford still has a considerable distance to cover to achieve its goal of becoming an industry leader in terms of quality. Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope as the current data indicates a slight improvement compared to the previous year.
