Ford Fails To Recall the F-150 and 9 Other Models, and Slapped With a Hefty $165M Fine, “When They Fail To Prioritize Safety, We’ll Hold Them Accountable”

Don’t mess with the NHTSA.

Ford, who has led the auto industry in U.S. recalls the last three years and is leading the industry again this year, tied with Stellantis, with 58 recalls. A report from Automotive News (by subscription) says, “Executives in October cited cost concerns, especially warranties, as a main reason for lowered earnings expectations.”

But there is more to the story.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has imposed a substantial fine of $165 million on Ford for its serious recall violations. The U.S. automaker failed to recall Ford F-150, Super Duty, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger, and Edge vehicles in a timely manner and failed to provide accurate and complete recall information, as reported by Bloomberg. 

“Timely and accurate recalls are critical to keeping everyone safe on our roads,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said in a November 14 statement. 

“NHTSA is committed to ensuring manufacturers comply with the laws designed to keep our roads safe. When manufacturers fail to prioritize the safety of the American public and meet their obligations under federal law, NHTSA will hold them accountable.”

The AN report says that the decision follows an investigation into a recall of 2020 model year vehicles, including the Ford F-150, Super Duty, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger, and Edge. 

Ford also failed to recall models from its luxury Lincoln car brand, which includes the Nautilus and Corsair.

The fine is the largest levied by the NHTSA since the agency ordered Takata Corp. to pay up to $200 million for defective airbag inflators in 2015.

According to Bloomberg, The NHTSA requires Ford to review all of its recalls in the past three years to ensure they went far enough. 

“We appreciate the opportunity to resolve this matter with NHTSA and remain committed to continuously improving safety and compliance at Ford,” the Ford Motor Co. said in a statement. 

“Wide-ranging enhancements are already underway with more to come, including advanced data analytics, a new in-house testing facility, among other capabilities.”

Ford said there have been no injuries or deaths related to the recall that prompted the consent order.

What is the F-150 and other model recall about?

I found no 2020 Ford F-150 recalls except for the November 8, 2024 recall. Ford and NHTSA say the 2018-2024 F-150 and other Ford models were recalled because the airbag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. 

“As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, Occupant Crash Protection,” says the HNTSA.

This means that in the event of a crash, the airbag may not deploy correctly, increasing the risk of injury to the vehicle's occupants.

What steps should Ford customers take in light of these recalls? 

Ford F-150 and other model owners can go to Ford support for recalls and enter their VIN or search by year and model to see if their vehicle is being recalled. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or here for more information.

It's Your Turn.

Do you have a 2020 Ford F-150, Super Duty, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger, or Edge vehicle that has been recalled recently? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and share your experience. Your feedback can help other Ford owners navigate the recall process.

Before you go..

Check out this Ford F-250 story. A Ford dealership in New Hampshire needed help finding a customer who paid for a $50,000 Ford F-250 pickup with a fake check. They say Facebook played a crucial role in finding the guy. Here is their fantastic story.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Ford