Ford’s string of recalls in 2025 shows no signs of slowing, and the latest one is particularly serious—addressing an unexpected loss of brake assist. This problem can extend stopping distances, increasing the risk of a collision. It marks Ford’s 94th recall campaign this year alone, underscoring the scale of the company’s safety challenges.
The action covers an estimated 312,120 vehicles from the 2025 model year, including several of Ford’s best-selling and most recognizable models. Affected vehicles include the Bronco, Ranger, Expedition, and F-150, along with the Lincoln Navigator.
According to the official safety recall documentation, Ford’s engineers first noticed an issue in mid-May when one vehicle displayed a loss of brake boost. This prompted a deeper investigation, during which they uncovered multiple reports from other drivers who had experienced the same problem.
Further examination revealed that the trouble stems from the electronic brake booster module, which can unexpectedly enter a fault mode while the vehicle is in motion. When this happens, brake boost is lost and remains unavailable until the module powers down and restarts—a process that happens only when the vehicle is turned off. Even more concerning, the malfunction can occur when advanced driver assistance systems are active, adding another layer of risk.
The root cause, Ford determined, is linked to the brake booster motor’s sensitivity to rare but normal fluctuations in electrical voltage. These momentary voltage disturbances can lead to a brief current surge, triggering the motor to shut off. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explained that such voltage irregularities, though infrequent, are enough to cause the loss of brake assist. Ford has so far recorded 37 warranty claims related to the issue and one reported low-speed crash. Fortunately, no injuries have been linked to the defect.
To resolve the problem, Ford and its luxury division, Lincoln, will deploy an update to the electronic brake booster’s software. The fix will be available in two ways: as an over-the-air (OTA) update that owners can install remotely, or through a dealership visit where technicians can apply the patch manually.
The updated software is expected to be released later this month. According to Ford, it will change the module’s behavior when encountering minor voltage fluctuations, ensuring brake boost is preserved in such scenarios. This proactive step is intended to prevent the module from shutting down unexpectedly and to maintain safe braking performance at all times.