- Ford and FCA have announced multiple recalls in the first half of August.
- Both manufacturers are experiencing a total of 41 recalls as of 2024, averaging 1.28 recalls per week.
- Ford’s recalls impact significantly more vehicles, with 3.7 million affected compared to FCA’s 2.6 million.
Recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) are facing a challenging year regarding recalls. Each company has recorded 41 recalls as of mid-August, which is more than double that of the third-ranked BMW. At the current pace, these Detroit-based automakers are averaging 1.28 recalls per week, and the year is far from finished.
On the other hand, FCA issued two smaller but significant recalls for Jeep vehicles on August 8. These included 243 Grand Cherokee Ls recalled due to inadequate welds on child seat tethers and 27 Jeep Wranglers recalled because the spare tire is blocking the taillights. Three further recalls were announced on August 1, encompassing 2,852 Dodge Challengers and 898 Chargers susceptible to seatbacks that may not lock in place. Additionally, 94 Wranglers and Gladiators have been recalled again to rectify a power-loss issue stemming from an earlier recall.
In comparing the two manufacturers, Ford appears to be facing bigger challenges. During a financial briefing in July, Ford revealed that its recall and warranty expenses reached over $2.3 billion within just three months, averaging a staggering $25 million daily. Although both companies have the same number of recalls, Ford’s affect a much larger number of vehicles—3.7 million compared to FCA’s 2.6 million. Notably, while FCA comprises several different brands, Ford operates primarily under the Ford and Lincoln brands.
After taking over as CEO, Ford’s Jim Farley committed to tackling quality challenges, but it seems that improvements are ongoing. Meanwhile, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has expressed concerns regarding FCA’s situation, prioritizing solutions for North American issues while suggesting that some underperforming brands may be shut down if they fail to improve.
Major Recalls of 2024:
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