Ford Car Recalls: A Quick Overview of Ford’s 2024 Recalls

Drive down any street, any time of day, and you’re almost certain to spot a Ford. As one of the most iconic American automakers, Ford has become a symbol of reliability, innovation, and the spirit of the open road.

But despite its storied legacy, Ford has been through a lot of turmoil. Over the years, the company has faced persistent criticism over manufacturing defects and recalls. In fact, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford held the unfortunate distinction of being the second most recalled brand in 2023.

2024 has been just as busy for Ford in terms of recalls and safety investigations. If you’re a Ford owner, you may be wondering whether your vehicle is affected and what steps you need to take to address any issues.

At CLINE APC, we go beyond helping California drivers navigate lemon law claims - we also want to keep you informed about your rights and vehicle safety. In this post, we’ll explain the 2024 Ford car recalls, how to check if your car is affected, and what steps to take next.

What Exactly is a Recall?

Generally, cars are recalled when a manufacturer discovers a widespread safety issue - like a faulty part, a software glitch, or a design flaw - that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive.

Once a recall is issued, the manufacturer must notify the owners and offer a free repair.

Sometimes, however, the problem doesn’t go away even after the recall repair. If the issue continues despite multiple attempts to fix it, your car may qualify as a lemon under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (or California lemon law) in the state of California.

Our experienced lemon law attorneys in California can help determine if your vehicle is a lemon and fight to hold manufacturers accountable.

Ford Cars Recalled in 2024

Ford has recalled several vehicles for a variety of issues in 2024. Here’s what you need to know about them.

2024 Ford Ranger and Bronco: Improperly Installed Control Arm

Models Affected:

• 2024 Ford Ranger
• 2024-2025 Ford Bronco

Missing or Malfunctioning Front Control Arm

In October, Ford recalled 2,416 2024-2025 Ford Bronco SUVs and 2024 Ford Ranger pickup trucks due to a suspension issue. Certain vehicles may have a loose or missing ball joint nut connecting the front upper control arm to the knuckle assembly. This could cause the arm to detach and result in a loss of steering control.

Ford discovered the issue after a warranty report on a 2024 Ranger. So far, there have been four reported cases but no crashes, injuries, or fires linked to the problem.

If you own one of these vehicles, contact your local Ford dealer for a free repair. Dealers will inspect the ball joint fasteners and tighten or replace the affected parts as needed.

2022-2024 Ford Maverick: Issues with the ‘Connected Touch Radio’

Models Affected:

• 2022-2024 Ford Maverick

Frozen Display Screen

Ford has recalled over 144,000 2022-2024 Maverick pickups after discovering a problem with the rearview camera. The camera image could freeze while the vehicle is in reverse, increasing the risk of a crash.

The issue is linked to the Connected Touch Radio, which processes the live camera feed. A software glitch causing a “memory leak” was identified as the main problem, along with four other bugs found during testing.

This isn’t the Maverick’s first issue this year. Earlier, the truck was investigated for rear turn signal failures. Reportedly, the Body Control Module (BCM) could mistakenly detect a current overload and cause one or both rear lamps to turn off while driving.

2024 Ford Mustang: Faulty Rear Suspension Knuckles

Models Affected:

• 2024 Ford Mustang

Defective Suspension Knuckles

Nearly 4,600 2024 Mustangs were flagged over a serious issue with the rear suspension. Ford discovered that the suspension knuckle - a critical component of the system - may have defects that could lead to cracking or even breaking during use.

A failure of the suspension knuckle can throw the tires out of alignment and make the car harder to control. Given the seriousness of the issue, Ford is urging affected owners to get their vehicles inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

If you’ve already reported this defect to Ford and it keeps reappearing after multiple repair attempts, your vehicle might qualify under Ford car lemon law.

Contact one of our experienced lemon law attorneys in California to see if you have a valid case.

2014 Ford F-150: Transmission Problems

Models Affected:

• 2014 Ford F-150

Transmission Downshift Issue

In June, Ford discovered a problem with 550,000 2014 Ford F-150 pickup trucks. A transmission issue could cause the vehicles to abruptly downshift to a lower gear and increase the risk of a crash.

Ford has taken immediate action and offered to update the powertrain software responsible for the defect.

Ford Multi-Model Recall: Malfunctioning EcoBoost V6 Engines

Models Affected:

• 2021-2022 Ford F-150
• 2021-2022 Ford Bronco
• 2021-2022 Ford Explorer
• 2021-2022 Ford Edge
• 2021-2022 Lincoln Aviator
• 2021-2022 Lincoln Nautilus

Malfunctioning EcoBoost V6 Engines

More than 91,000 Ford vehicles, including Broncos and F-150s, were called back to address a serious issue with faulty engine valves. The recall involves inspecting and potentially replacing engines in cars with the 2.7L and 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engines, also known as Nano EcoBoost.

This Ford car recall was a long time coming. Investigations began in January 2022, following reports of early engine failure caused by fractured intake valves. When these valves break, they can fall into the engine and cause severe damage.

As of August 2024, Ford acknowledged 811 warranty claims tied to this problem but confirmed no accidents or injuries were reported.

2018-2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator: Seat Belt Problems

Models Affected:

• 2018-2020 Ford Expedition
• 2018-2020 Lincoln Navigator

Driver and Front Passenger Seatbelt Concerns

In February 2024, Ford recalled approximately 77,574 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models due to an issue with the seat belt retractor pretensioner. Some owners reported that the pretensioner would deploy unexpectedly, causing the seat belt to tighten and lock without any crash or impact.

Since the initial recall, the NHTSA has launched an investigation to determine whether an additional 112,000 Ford Expedition SUVs may be affected by the same problem. If you own any of these vehicles, it’s a good idea to check if they fall within the recall range.

2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sports and 2022-2023 Ford Mavericks: Sudden Power Loss

Models Affected:

• 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sports
• 2022-2023 Ford Mavericks

Degraded 12-V Batteries

The NHTSA has opened another investigation into over 457,000 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sports SUVs and 2022-2023 Maverick pickups. These vehicles were previously recalled due to sudden power loss caused by degraded 12-volt batteries.

However, some owners reported power loss even after the recall fix. Ford is cooperating with the probe, so stay tuned for further information.

What to Do If Your Ford Vehicle Has Been Recall

If you’ve heard about a Ford car recall, don’t panic - it’s a routine safety measure to address potential issues. Here’s how to determine if your car is affected and what steps to take if it is.

Read the Recall Letter

When your vehicle gets recalled, the manufacturer will send you a letter explaining the details of the recall and the next steps to take. Be sure to read this in detail.

1. How to Check

Every recall comes with a list of affected vehicles, identified by their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

2. Check Your VIN

Locate your Ford vehicle VIN, a 17-character code, typically found on your car’s dashboard near the windshield, on the driver-side door frame, or in your vehicle’s registration documents.

3. Use Online Tools

Enter your vehicle information and VIN on Ford’s recall lookup tool or the NHTSA website. Both platforms will let you see if your vehicle is affected by any open recalls.

Steps to Take After Confirming a Recall

Once you’ve confirmed your vehicle is impacted, you’ll need to:

1. Contact Your Dealer

Contact Ford to schedule a repair appointment. Recall repairs are done free of charge.

2. Follow Manufacturer Guidance

In the recall letter, Ford will provide specific instructions about any precautions to take while waiting for repairs.

3. Act Promptly

Don’t delay. Even if the issue seems minor, it’s best to address it quickly to ensure your safety.

4. Keep ALL Repair Records

Save all paperwork related to the recall for future reference, especially if you plan to sell your vehicle or pursue a lemon law claim.

What Rights Do You Have as a Ford Owner in California

As a Ford owner in California, you’re protected by some of the strongest consumer laws in the country. If your recalled vehicle has persistent issues that can’t be resolved after multiple repair attempts, you may have legal options to seek compensation or a replacement.

1. When Does Your Ford Qualify as a Lemon?

Recalls and lemon law sound similar. Generally speaking, recalls involve a widespread defect that impacts many consumers. Lemon law is more on an individual basis.

Ford car lemon law covers vehicles with serious defects that compromise their safety, value, or usability. Your Ford may qualify as a lemon if:

• It has a significant defect covered by the warranty.
• The defect has a substantial impact on the vehicle’s safety, usability, or value.
• The defect was not caused by driver error or neglect.
• The manufacturer or dealer has made multiple repair attempts - which were unsuccessful - (typically two or more) to resolve the issue.
• The vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days due to repairs.
• The defect remains unresolved and negatively affects the vehicle’s performance.

2. What Compensation Can You Receive?

Owners of lemon Ford vehicles could be entitled to:

• A full refund, including the purchase price, taxes, registration fees, and incidental costs like towing or rental cars.
• A replacement vehicle of similar value and specifications, if both parties agree.
• Reimbursement for legal fees

3. The Need for Legal Representation

Although California’s lemon laws are designed to protect consumers, big-name manufacturers like Ford often fight hard to minimize their liability. With access to top-tier legal teams, they may attempt to delay, deny, or downplay claims, leaving you frustrated and without the resolution you deserve.

To stand up to these tactics, you’ll need a knowledgeable legal representative on your side. A skilled lemon law attorney in California can level the playing field by evaluating your case, negotiating with Ford, and fighting for maximum compensation.

Consult a CA Lemon Law Attorney Today!

Ford does its best to address recalls proactively to ensure customer safety and satisfaction. We advise you to stay informed, respond promptly to recall notices, and take advantage of the free repairs provided by the manufacturer.

However, if your Ford vehicle continues to face unresolved issues despite repeated repairs, you may have additional rights under CA lemon law.

At CLINE APC, our competent CA lemon law attorneys are dedicated to standing up for consumers like you. Having won hundreds of cases statewide, we understand what it takes to fight for your rights and achieve the best results. Don’t let a defective vehicle hold you back - schedule your free consultation today, and let us help you get back on the road with confidence.