Driving the news: Ford $F ( ▲ 1.19% ) has issued 103 safety recalls this year, breaking the previous industry record of 77 set by GM in 2014, with more than four months remaining in 2025.
For context: At Ford's current pace, the company is on track to significantly exceed the old record by year-end.
More than a third of this year's recalls stem from an audit that revealed Ford's software update system sometimes reported successful installations when updates actually failed.
NHTSA required the audit as part of a $165 million settlement over Ford's recall practices, which has led to many repeat recalls for vehicles that weren't properly fixed initially.
Why it matters: Ford's recall challenges reveal systemic problems with how the company identifies, fixes, and verifies safety defects. And while Ford has hired more inspectors, developed AI tools to find defects, and sent executives to work alongside factory workers—the recalls keep coming.
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