Ford’s credibility as a manufacturer of safe and reliable vehicles continues to erode as the company issues a staggering number of recalls involving popular models such as the Bronco Sport and Escape. The latest recall – affecting nearly 700,000 units globally – centers on a cracked fuel injector defect that can lead to engine fires, including while the vehicle is parked or idle.

So far, at least eight under-hood fires linked to the defect have been confirmed, though Ford says no injuries have been reported.

The fire risk, Ford says, is being addressed through a software update designed to detect the problem and shut down the fuel pump. But reports suggest this is the third time Ford has issued a recall over the same issue, suggesting systemic failure, not proactive safety.

Since 21 May 2025, Ford has filed more than 30 recalls in the United States alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Some affect just a handful of vehicles, while others involve hundreds of thousands.

Cumulatively, these actions have contributed to an estimated recall-related expense of about $570 for Ford, according to Ford authority.

The recalls come on top of earlier fire-related issues, including an oil-leak defect found in certain 2023-2025 models. Additionally, over 1 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles were recalled this May due to backup camera systems freezing, going blank, or failing entirely – compromising visibility while reversing.

The camera-related issue was reported by international news outlets, which confirmed it impacted popular SUVs and trucks across multiple model years.

Brand defense vs customer doubt

In a statement to USA Today (a national newspaper in the United States), Ford said roughly a third of its 2025 recalls were not for new defects, but to confirm that previous fixes had been completed correctly. The company defended its approach, saying the spike in recall volume is part of a more aggressive safety strategy.

“The increase in recalls reflects our intensive strategy to quickly find and fix any hardware and software issues… We will not compromise our responsibility to provide the same standard of excellence to all our customers,” Ford said in an emailed statement.

However, the rising number of recalls has shaken consumer confidence. Some Ford owners have shared frustrations online about delayed servicing, vague dealership communication, and dashboard or infotainment issues that persist even after software updates.

On the Bronco Sport Forum, one 2021 model owner wrote:

“It NEVER did this prior to the software update! These things are absolute junk from the assembly line… I have to pull over every 15–20 minutes because the car locks itself or jerks.”

Another reported:

“The system was freezing and I had to restart the car multiple times,” following a recall-related update to the vehicle’s software.

Several owners also complained that their vehicles display a “recall update downloading” status indefinitely – with no confirmation that anything was ever fixed.

Local impact in the Philippines

Although most of the affected models are in North America, Ford vehicles in the Philippines – especially imported units – may still be at risk.

“If the same parts are used in vehicles sold domestically, then Ford Philippines has an obligation to notify and serve local owners with the same level of safety concern,” said Mico, a car dealer from Cavite.

Philippine owners of Ford Escape, Bronco Sport, and other recent models should check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through official recall lookup tools or contact authorized dealers for status confirmation.

If included, recall repairs should be free of charge. Owners are also encouraged to request documentation of all software updates and repairs, and to report any post-repair performance issues immediately.