Ford has been making headlines this year for the sheer volume of recalls it has issued—so many, in fact, that it's becoming difficult to keep track. The number of notices pouring out of the company has led some observers to joke that Ford might be trying to set a record. While some of these recalls are minor and involve only a few vehicles, they serve as a testament to the precision of modern automotive manufacturing and quality control. Others, however, impact hundreds of vehicles and highlight serious safety concerns that demand swift action.
The most recent wave of recalls illustrates this contrast clearly. One recall affects just three vehicles, while the other impacts 404 units—a number that amusingly mirrors the well-known "404 Not Found" internet error. The larger recall involves certain Ford Escape and Bronco Sport models that are at risk of an engine oil leak, which could potentially lead to an engine fire.
The issue first came to light in March 2025, when Ford repaired a 2025 Escape that had a missing cylinder head ball plug. These ball plugs are essential components that seal casting holes in the cylinder head. When missing, they can cause oil to leak from the engine. In the March case, the oil leak wasn’t just a minor drip—it caused severe engine damage. Ford launched an internal investigation on April 1 to determine the root cause. Just two weeks later, the company identified another Escape—this time brand new with zero miles on the odometer—with the exact same problem.
Further analysis revealed that the cylinder head metal was not hardened properly, making it easier for the ball plug to dislodge. The defect was traced back to a power outage at the supplier’s facility during the heat treatment process. Ford eventually found that there had been another similar outage more than a year earlier. As a result, every cylinder head produced on those two days is now being replaced under this recall, which is officially designated as recall number 25V372. It includes 2023–2025 model year Ford Escapes and 2025 Bronco Sports.
The second recall is smaller in scale but no less important. It affects only three 2025 Ford Explorer SUVs, which were found to have loose or missing front brake caliper bracket bolts. These vehicles had all undergone unrelated repairs prior to delivery, and Ford believes the technicians may have failed to properly torque the bolts. The problem came to light after one Explorer owner reported a clunking noise. Upon inspection, the dealership discovered that two bolts securing the front driver-side brake caliper were missing entirely.
Though issuing recalls may appear negative at first glance, Ford’s recent actions demonstrate the advantages of rigorous production monitoring and safety tracking. These efforts help identify even rare or isolated defects and ensure customer safety through proactive correction.