The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that Ford recalled 272,817 U.S. vehicles due to battery failure.
According to the documents that Ford submitted to NHTSA, a manufacturing defect may cause some of its 12-volt batteries to degrade suddenly while driving. The degradation of the battery can result in a loss of power to electrical accessories, including the vehicle’s hazard lights. In addition, it may result in the loss of drive power, causing the car to stall when stopping and significantly increasing the risk of a crash. It may also result in drivers becoming stuck in the middle of the road because the vehicle may not restart after the engine automatically stops while waiting at a red light.
As federal law requires, Ford dealerships will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery in impacted vehicles for free.
The battery issue has been identified in specific models across multiple model years, and it includes:
- 2021-2023 Bronco Sport
- 2022-2023 Maverick
The recall comes as Ford grapples with ongoing quality control challenges. Last year, the automaker issued over 60 recalls, making it one of the most recalled brands in the automotive industry. In addition, the automaker was slammed with a $165 million civil penalty by NHTSA–the second largest fine in the agency’s history–for failing to issue recalls promptly.
The consistent recalls don’t bode well for the automaker’s reputation. Consumers value reliability, and the frequent recalls may reduce consumer confidence. The automaker’s issues also impact dealer perception. According to the 2024 Dealer Outlook Survey by Kerrigan Advisors, Ford was ranked one of the least trusted brands by dealers, with 37% of dealers indicating that they had no trust in the brand in 2024.
