I've had plenty of Ford in the bay over the years, and the body and structural complaints on these don't surprise me. 8,412 on the NHTSA record across 217 model-year entries (2005–2025) is not a fluke. The complaints are spread across the lineup — no single model is doing all the work. That tells you it's an engineering or supplier pattern, not a one-off bad year. 3 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Ford vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Repair exposure averages $1,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Across the 4,703 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 67,977 miles. For trucks especially, get under it with a flashlight. Frame rust on rust-belt vehicles tells you everything you need to know about how it was kept.
ProblemsByVin FORD / BODY
217 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Ford body problems
8,412 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Ford vehicles for body issues. 67 active recall campaigns. See body across all makes →
Complaints
8,412
Recalls
67
Year-models
217
Avg fix
$1,500
114crashes
23fires
208injuries
3fatalities
Worst-affected Ford model-years for body Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2017 Ford Explorer
625 complaints · 4 recalls · ~$1,500 moderate
2020 Ford Escape
561 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 moderate
2016 Ford Explorer
550 complaints · 4 recalls · ~$1,500 moderate
2013 Ford Explorer
387 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$1,500 moderate
2015 Ford Explorer
376 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 moderate
2012 Ford Focus
295 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2018 Ford Explorer
270 complaints · 3 recalls · ~$1,500 moderate
2014 Ford Explorer
258 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 moderate
2005 Ford Escape
197 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2013 Ford Fusion
160 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2013 Ford Edge
160 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2005 Ford Explorer
153 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2011 Ford Edge
145 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 moderate
2019 Ford Explorer
142 complaints · 3 recalls · ~$1,500 moderate
2012 Ford Explorer
128 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$1,500 moderate
2015 Ford F-150
122 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 moderate
2012 Ford Fiesta
118 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2011 Ford Fiesta
115 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2011 Ford Explorer
98 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$1,500 moderate
2012 Ford Edge
86 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2021 Ford Escape
80 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 moderate
2012 Ford Fusion
77 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2013 Ford Escape
72 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 severe
2014 Ford Fusion
71 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2013 Ford Fiesta
71 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
Active recalls — Ford body 12 on file
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Explorer vehicles
A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S54. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 21V316. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Bronco vehicles
A detached fender flare can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the fender flares as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 11, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in late August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S47. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 7, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Expedition vehicles
Vehicle occupants may contact the center console's sharp edges, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the center consoles as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S38. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 10, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles
A detached section of roof can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the hard top as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S32. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 12, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger vehicles
Damaged wires can create an electrical short and cause a fire in the A-pillar area, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiring for damage and update the body control module software. Damaged wiring harnesses will be replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 model year vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail the week of 5/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2026 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2024 model year vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail the week of 6/29/2026 for Phase 2 and the week of 7/27/2026 for Phase 3. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 17, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Transit vehicles
A loss of drive power or brake failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cross member fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S04. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 4, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles
An instrument panel cover separation can cause pieces of the cover to strike occupants, increasing the risk injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SE7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 19, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles
A detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Flex vehicles
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 17, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated March 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 28, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S91.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 GT vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall 18V707
A hydraulic fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the dynamics control module software and replace the rear wing check valve as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S74.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S53.
Common questions
How many Ford body complaints are on file with NHTSA?
8,412 complaints across 217 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 67 active recall campaigns cover body issues across the Ford lineup.
Which Ford model has the most body complaints?
The 2017 Ford Explorer leads with 625 complaints in this category. Next: 2020 Escape (561) and 2016 Explorer (550).
What does it cost to fix Ford body problems?
Independent shops average $1,500 for body repairs across the Ford lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Ford body recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover body on Ford vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Mark Driver, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Ford.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.