Ford, the King of Recalls, Begs Owners to Stick With It
» Posted January 16, 2026 • Resources | Share This Post
Ford is taking a new tact with buyers after another year dominated by safety recalls.
The troubled automaker is offering owners with major service and repair issues 10% off new vehicles. Ford’s owner retention certificate program was “introduced at the request of Ford and Lincoln dealers ‘to help retain customers who have lost confidence in their vehicle due to unsatisfactory service experiences,’” according to a report by Cars Direct.
The move comes as Ford continues to struggle to ensure that its cars are actually safe to drive and to fix those with proven defects and malfunctions.
Ford has led the country’s automakers in annual safety recalls for several years straight. The manufacturer, by August 2025, broke the record for total number of recalls in a year - more than 100, and climbing - blowing past the mark set by General Motors more than a decade ago.
The problems have continued to mount. Ford is calling back a slew of vehicles across models, citing a wide range of defects that put the cars’ drivers and passengers, and everyone else on the road with them, at risk.
The recalls range in severity, but often involve defects that increase the chances of accidents and injuries. They are typically announced long after defective vehicles have left factory floors, sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Ford recently announced that it is recalling more than 7,000 E-series vans, for example, over a problem that could cause engine covers to overheat. In an ironic twist, many of those vehicles were called back five years ago and mistakenly marked as fixed.
The company also recently called back 100,000 Ranger pickup trucks for the third time in just four months. Ford said at the time that side curtain airbags could tear when deploying. That was after earlier recalls for failing electronic booster brake systems and malfunctioning rearview cameras.
Legal Rights for California Car Owners
California car owners and lessors have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. You do not need to wait for a recall to have a defective vehicle repaired.
The lemon law, known formally as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, forces automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they are unable to or simply decline to fix.
The buyback requirement includes compensation for the owner's down payment on the car, monthly loan payments, and the outstanding balance on the loan. The manufacturer is also responsible for towing, rental car, and other related expenses.
There is no exact number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.
Talk with a San Diego Lemon Law Attorney
If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a San Diego lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.
Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a San Diego lemon law attorney.
