Ford recalled 548,463 Expedition SUVs over chrome console trim that can peel and create sharp edges, with 65 injuries reported globally. The recall is the automaker's 41st campaign of 2026, putting it on track to exceed last year's record of 153 recalls.
Ford Motor Co. recalled 548,463 Expedition SUVs from the 2018 through 2024 model years after chrome plating on the center console was found to peel and create sharp edges that have already injured 65 people globally, the company said Thursday.
The defect stems from chrome trim manufactured by a supplier using parameters that did not meet Ford's specifications, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The automaker is aware of 4,634 warranty claims and one accident potentially related to the issue, with reported injuries including hand and finger lacerations, a small number of which required professional medical attention. An estimated 12.8 percent of the recalled vehicles are expected to have the defective consoles.
Ford initially determined it did not need to issue a safety recall, concluding the condition was "overt to the customer and is easily detectable, mitigating the severity and reducing the risk of severe outcomes," according to NHTSA filings. The company's Critical Concern Review Group later re-evaluated the severity of injuries and concluded they "could potentially be more significant than initially thought." Dealers will inspect and replace affected center consoles free of charge, with interim owner notifications planned for June 29 and remedy letters expected by Jan. 29, 2027.
The Expedition recall is Ford's 41st campaign of 2026, putting the automaker on track to exceed last year's record of 153 recalls covering 13 million vehicles. The company has already recalled approximately 10 million vehicles this year, including 420,000 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models over faulty seat belt retractors and a do-not-drive warning for 4,600 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles with incorrectly installed ball joints that could cause a critical loss of vehicle control. NHTSA levied a $165 million civil penalty against Ford in 2025 for delayed recalls and installed an independent compliance monitor. Chief Executive Jim Farley has described the quality issues as "self-inflicted wounds," with warranty costs consistently exceeding $4 billion annually. A single 2025 fuel injector recall covering 694,000 Bronco Sports and Escapes cost an estimated $570 million.
The mounting recall costs compound Ford's financial pressures as it funds its electric-vehicle transition and navigates elevated aluminum costs driven by tariffs. The company's Universal EV platform, due to launch a $30,000 midsize pickup in 2027, depends on a clean software architecture that consolidates vehicle electronics from around 30 control units down to five modules — a strategy that reduces failure points but concentrates risk. Investors will watch Ford's second-quarter earnings report for updated warranty reserve figures and any progress on the "testing to failure" quality program Farley introduced in 2024.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
