Ford Recalls Over 1 Million Vehicles: Rangers, Mustangs, and More Face Safety Issues

It’s another Ford recall as the company continues to struggle with quality issues, as another massive recall wave affects 1.5 million vehicles across several of its top-selling models. 

The issues range from malfunctioning airbags in its Ranger pickup to lighting failures in the Mustang. The company has had more than 100 recalls in 2025, breaking records and raising concerns. 

Ranger Airbag Problems Resurface

The Ford Ranger is once again under scrutiny, this time for defective airbags. Roughly 100,900 units from the 2022–2025 model years are being recalled because the passenger airbag may fail to deploy properly during a crash, as Car and Driver reported. 

Airbag issues, unfortunately, aren’t new to Ford. In 2024, a previous Ford recall had the company issue a “Do Not Drive” notice for 375,000 vehicles still plagued with the troublesome Takata airbags. 

We explained how the Takata crisis happened here. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the defect is tied to a supplier issue. While Ford has not reported injuries linked to this new recall, the potential for increased crash risk has alarmed safety watchdogs.

Mustang Lighting Recall

Separately, Ford is recalling 105,441 Mustang vehicles from the 2024 and 2025 model years due to faulty exterior lighting, as this website explains.

Water intrusion into the body control module can disrupt communication with key lighting systems, leading to tail lights, license plate lights, or side markers failing to illuminate.

NHTSA warns that reduced visibility significantly increases the risk of accidents, especially at night. Owners will receive interim notifications by fall 2025, with final repair solutions expected in early 2026. Ford will offer inspections, sealing, and, when necessary, body control module replacements—all at no cost to drivers.

A Broader Recall Wave

The latest Ford recalls involving the Mustang and Ranger are part of a much larger safety campaign.

According to AL.com, Ford is recalling more than 1.5 million vehicles in total, spanning multiple nameplates and production years. Details include potential engine stalling issues, brake fluid leaks, and electrical system malfunctions, though specific models have not been fully disclosed due to ongoing investigations.

This scale of Ford recalls highlights the company’s ongoing struggle with quality control. The automaker topped U.S. recall charts in 2022 and 2023, and continues to battle a backlog of safety campaigns that frustrate both regulators and customers.

No Reports of Injuries—So Far

Ford emphasizes that, despite the sheer volume of vehicles involved, it has not received reports of crashes or injuries tied directly to these latest defects. Still, the proactive recalls underscore how sensitive the company has become to potential safety liabilities.

In its statement, Ford said: “We remain committed to the highest standards of safety and are acting quickly to address these concerns for our customers.”

Owners: What to Do Next

Ford advises all affected owners to check their vehicle’s recall status through the Ford recall support website or the NHTSA database. Free repairs are available at authorized dealerships once remedies are finalized.

• Ranger owners should expect to hear from Ford within the next two months.
  
• Mustang owners will receive interim letters in September 2025, followed by full repair instructions in early 2026.

For questions, Mustang drivers can call Ford’s customer service line at 1-866-436-7332, referencing recall number 25C43.

Why It Matters

Ford’s recall woes aren’t just about fixing defects—they affect consumer trust and corporate reputation. With competition heating up in both the EV and traditional truck markets, ongoing quality problems could cost Ford more than repair expenses. Rivals like Toyota and GM will likely seize on the opportunity to tout their own reliability records.

However, Toyota had another massive recall as well, this one involving 591,000 vehicles. You can read more about it here.

For Ford drivers, the priority is clear: check recall notices promptly, schedule repairs, and avoid taking chances with safety.

Vehicles Affected by Ford’s Latest Recalls

• Ford Ranger
  
  • Model years: 2022–2025
    
  • Issue: Passenger-side airbag may fail to deploy in a crash.
    
  • Estimated units: ~100,900.
    
• Ford Mustang
  
  • Model years: 2024–2025
    
  • Issue: Water intrusion into body control module causes lighting failures (tail lights, license plate lights, side markers) .
    
  • Estimated units: ~105,441.
    
• Other Ford Vehicles
  
  • Part of a broader recall campaign affecting over 1.5 million vehicles total.
    
  • Issues include: potential engine stalling, brake fluid leaks, and electrical malfunctions.
    
  • Specific nameplates not fully disclosed; investigations are ongoing.