Ford Expands Recalls Over Battery Defects and Wiring Problems Affecting Thousands of Vehicles

Ford owners face new recall warnings involving battery failures, fire risks, and faulty electrical wiring nationwide.

May 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM / News

Ford Motor Company has announced multiple new recalls affecting thousands of vehicles across several model lines, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

One of the recalls involves certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid models. Federal regulators say one or more high-voltage battery cells may contain a manufacturing defect that could trigger an internal short circuit.

If the issue occurs, drivers could experience a sudden loss of power while driving, and in some situations the defect may also increase the risk of a vehicle fire.

NHTSA said Ford is still developing a permanent repair for the problem. Until a final solution is ready, owners are being advised to drive using only the “Auto EV” mode and avoid fully charging the battery.

Ford plans to begin mailing interim notification letters to affected owners starting Dec. 1, 2025. Additional notices will be sent later once the final remedy becomes available.

The automaker noted that vehicles included in this recall campaign, identified as 25SC4, were previously recalled under campaign number 24V954 and will still require the updated repair.

Separately, Ford also issued another major recall covering more than 140,000 Ranger pickup trucks from the 2024-2026 model years because of potential electrical wiring hazards.

According to NHTSA documents released Tuesday, approximately 140,201 Ford Rangers may contain improperly routed or excessively taped wiring harnesses near the headliner and sun visor area. Over time, the wiring could become pinched against metal components, potentially causing an electrical short circuit.

Federal officials warned the defect may generate excessive heat, sparks, or even fire near the windshield area.

Drivers may notice early warning signs before the problem worsens, including flickering vanity mirror lights, malfunctioning overhead console lamps, or electrical intermitent issues inside the cabin.

Ford said it has received reports involving at least four incidents tied to the defect, including one case where flames were reportedly observed and three others involving smoke or burn damage. No injuries or crashes have been linked to the issue so far.

The affected Ranger pickups were manufactured between Dec. 9, 2022, and Dec. 28, 2025. Dealers will inspect the wiring system, update body control module software, and replace damaged harnesses free of charge if needed.

Initial owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing April 27, while a permanet repair solution is currently expected later this summer.

The latest actions add to Ford’s growing list of recall campaigns in recent years. According to data analyzed by automotive search firm iSeeCars, Ford recalled approximately 19.6 million vehicles between April 2025 and March 2026 — more than the rest of the American auto industry combined during the same period.

NHTSA records also show Ford set a modern company record in 2025 with 152 separate recalls issued throughout the year.

Owners seeking additional information about either recall can visit the NHTSA website or contact Ford customer service directly at 1-866-436-7332. Some customers may also recieve follow-up notices once updated repairs are finalized.

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