Ford is recalling more than 250,000 SUVs in the U.S. over software issues, with the automaker already logging more callbacks than all other brands combined in 2026.
The details: The latest recall, announced Tuesday (March 24) by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, includes the Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln Nautilus, Lincoln Aviator, and Ford Explorer SUVs, Reuters reported.
An unexpected reset of image-processing software may cause a loss of ADAS features such as pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
NHTSA said the software will be updated either by a dealer or by Ford through an over-the-air update.
Why it matters: Another large Ford recall adds pressure to service operations and can create friction in customer trust and sales conversations, while also affecting brand perception, increasing owner concerns, and adding workload for retail teams managing appointments, outreach, and inventory.
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Between the lines: Carscoops found that Ford had recalled more than 7.3 million vehicles as of March 3, 2026, just 61 days into the year, accounting for one-third of all recalls at that point, continuing a trend from 2025.
Last year, for context, Ford issued 152 recall notices covering a record 12,926,436 vehicles, nearly double the previous record set by General Motors with 77 recalls in 2014.
As of early March 2026, Ford and Lincoln had already accounted for 56.6% of the 12,926,436 vehicles they recalled in all of 2025.
Early March data showed Toyota in second place for recalls, accounting for only around 8% of the total, with just five recalls compared with Ford’s 17.
Bottom line: Dealers can handle individual recalls, but the volume and frequency of Ford’s callbacks could pose a broader challenge as continued recall activity begins to weigh on customer confidence and showroom momentum.
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