If you drive a Ford, Ram, Nissan, or Audi, chances are you might be getting some bad news in the mail soon—another vehicle recall. And not just one or two. This May alone, over 46,000 vehicles in Canada were recalled for a range of safety issues, from bad brakes and steering problems to glitchy rearview cameras and potential fire risks.
It’s starting to feel like recalls are just part of owning a car these days. But that shouldn’t be the case.
Let’s start with Ford. The company issued several recalls this month. The 2022–2024 Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators have a braking issue—apparently the brake lines might’ve gotten bent during engine installation. That could lead to leaking brake fluid and, worst of all, a reduced ability to stop the car. Imagine hitting the brakes and the car just doesn’t slow down like it should. That’s not just a defect—it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
And it doesn’t stop there. Ford’s new 2025 F-150 trucks were recalled for a steering problem. The bolt that connects part of the steering system might not be properly tightened. If that bolt comes loose, the driver could actually lose control of the steering. Seriously. How does something so critical get overlooked on a brand-new truck? As if that wasn’t enough, the 2025 Ranger pickup also has a faulty driver’s seat—apparently a bolt is either missing or loose. In a crash, the seat could shift or even detach.
It’s hard to believe this many serious problems made it out of the factory.
Ram isn’t doing much better. Fiat Chrysler recalled its 2022–2025 ProMaster cargo vans because of a software issue that could cause the rearview camera to stop working when backing up. This might sound minor, but when you’re reversing a big van, that camera is essential. Without it, visibility drops, and the risk of hitting something—or someone—goes way up. Nissan’s 2025 Frontier and Kicks models were recalled for the same issue.
Then there’s Audi. The 2022–2024 Q5 SUVs have a risk of oil leaking from loose cylinder head screws. That oil could end up on hot engine parts and start a fire. Yes, an actual fire. From a loose screw. On a luxury SUV.
This isn’t just a bad month—it’s part of a disturbing trend. Carmakers are releasing vehicles with basic, dangerous flaws that should’ve been caught long before anyone drove them off a lot. It’s like the industry is more focused on rolling out the next model year than making sure the cars are actually safe.
What’s worse is that when recalls happen, it’s the owners who have to deal with the stress, the hassle of booking dealership appointments, and being without a car while it gets fixed. Sure, the repairs are free—but the inconvenience? That’s on us.
It’s time automakers take quality control seriously again. We shouldn’t be normalizing recalls, especially not for issues this serious. Cars are expensive. Safety shouldn’t be optional. And frankly, if companies can’t get the basics right—like brakes, steering, and seat bolts—they shouldn’t be selling the cars at all.
We deserve better.
