Ford recalls 21,777 Ranger, Everest, Mustang, EcoSport, and Transit Customs

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has commenced with several product recall notices affecting different models and production batches.

The recalls affect thousands of vehicles sold between 2018 and 2025, including the Ford Mustang, EcoSport, Ranger, Everest, and Transit Custom.

A total of 21,777 units are being recalled across Southern Africa, with the Ranger bakkie being the most affected.

The carmaker identified three main issues with its vehicles, concerning software issues as well as mechanical faults that could potentially threaten the safety of users.

Ford stated that the remedies for these issues are expected in the final quarter of the year, and that Ford and authorized dealers will be in communication with owners to resolve them.

“Our commitment, together with our dealer partners, is to provide customers with the highest level of service and support,” it said.

Ford owners are encouraged to check if their car is affected by this or any other recall.

Anyone who wishes to do so can visit www.ford.co.za/owner/recalls/ and enter their VIN number in the search bar.

Customers can also contact Customer Relationship Resolution Centre directly at 0860 011 022 / +2712 843 5824 (international callers) or [email protected] in the event that they may have any queries regarding this customer service action.

This is the second time in less than a month that Ford has issued a recall, having previously notified customers of problems affecting the EcoSport, Puma, Ranger, and Everest on 25 July 2025.

The specific models, and number of vehicles impacted are outlined below:

Ford Ranger: Transmission Main Control Valve Body Replacement

Ford has issued a recall relating to certain 2025 Ranger models.

“FMCSA has identified that in the affected vehicles, the transmission main valve body’s internal dimensions do not meet the engineering print specifications, and the driver may experience no reverse motion when the vehicle is in reverse gear,” it said.

When the gear selector is in the reverse or neutral position, the bakkie may move forward.

When this happens, the Malfunction Indicator and Wrench Light will illuminate on the instrument cluster in the vehicle.

Ford warned that unexpected vehicle motion can increase the risk of an accident.

A total of eight Ford Rangers are affected by this recall in South Africa.

The company stated that it is working to provide parts to repair the units.

Once these parts are available, Ford or an authorised dealer will notify the customer to schedule a service appointment, which will be completed free of charge.

The parts are anticipated to be available by October 2025.

Ford Mustang, EcoSport, Ranger and Everest: SYNC Software Update

Ford has issued a recall pertaining to certain Mustang, EcoSport, Ranger, and Everest models built between 2018 and 2023.

In the affected units, the repeated short ignition cycle (time between key on and key off) may, over time, result in an error in the Sync operating system that could result in instability and/or a failure to maintain certain settings between ignition cycles.

“This may result in an intermittent blank image while in reverse or rear-view image remaining on display after reverse driving has ended,” it said.

The company warned that a frozen rearview camera display while in reverse may create a false impression of where the vehicle is relative to its surroundings, increasing the risk of an accident.

A total of 33 cars are affected in South Africa:

• Ford Mustang – South Africa – 30
• Ford EcoSport – South Africa – 1
• Ford Ranger – South Africa – 1
• Ford Everest – South Africa – 1

FMCSA us working to provide a software update to fix the issue.

Once the update is available, Ford will contact the customer to schedule a service appointment, where it will be installed free of charge.

The software update is expected to be ready in the third quarter of 2025.

Ford Everest, Ranger and Transit Custom Vehicles: Rear Camera Screen Software Updates

Ford has issued a recall for certain Ranger, Everest, and Transit Custom models built between 2021 and 2025.

“FMCSA has identified that in some of the affected vehicles the infotainment screen may freeze followed by a black screen and a system reboot,” it said.

“If this occurs while reversing the vehicle, the rearview image may be frozen, missing or delayed.”

The automaker warned that a frozen rearview camera display can create a false representation of where the vehicle is in relation to its surroundings, increasing the risk of an accident.

A total of 21,736 vehicles are affected in Southern Africa, comprising 20,693 units in South Africa, 363 units in Botswana, 657 units in Namibia, and 23 units in Swaziland/Eswatini.

• Ford Ranger – 17,741 affected in Southern Africa (South Africa – 16,820; Botswana – 327; Namibia – 579; Swaziland – 15)
• Ford Everest – 3,317 affected in Southern Africa (South Africa – 3,199; Botswana – 35; Namibia – 76; Swaziland – 7)
• Ford Transit Custom – 678 affected in Southern Africa (South Africa – 674; Botswana – 1; Namibia – 2; Swaziland – 1)

Ford is working to provide a software update for the issue.

Once it is available, the carmaker will notify the customer via mail and schedule a service, which will be completed free of charge.

The update is anticipated to be available in the third quarter of 2025.