No sooner did we finally get legacy automaker Ford (F) past its “Model T Moment” than news of yet another recall emerged. And it is another pretty substantial recall at that, featuring over 100,000 vehicles total. Interestingly, Ford investors did not seem terribly put out by this, and instead gave Ford a fractional boost in its share price in Tuesday afternoon’s trading.
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Over 103,000 F-150 pickup models were involved in this recall, and over axle hub bolts. Apparently, there is something wrong with the hub bolts that can actually cause the vehicle to “roll away when the parking brake is not applied….” The problems do not stop when the car does, either, as the hub bolts can also cause “…a loss of driver power.” Regardless of which condition actually takes place, word from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made it clear: “Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.”
As for the remedy on this one, Ford dealerships will once again be front and center. Impacted customers will receive notice sometime between next Monday and May 22, 2026 that informs them of their potential problem. Then, users will head for their dealership to have the rear axle shaft assembly replaced at Ford’s expense.
The Cost of a Model T Moment
And while part of Ford’s Model T Moment yesterday featured an upcoming new truck as well as some big changes in processing, the news did not come without price. Ford revealed that both the Ford Escape and the Lincoln Corsair were to be taken out of production this year.
These two models are apparently produced at a plant in Louisville, Kentucky. That plant will be retooled to build the new electric vehicle pickup coming soon. Though this does not mean an end of the Escape for some time—Ford currently has stock sufficient to sell Escapes, and Corsairs, well into 2026—it does mean that the writing is on the wall for Ford’s small SUV entry.
Is Ford Stock a Good Buy Right Now?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on F stock based on three Buys, eight Holds and three Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 9.86% rally in its share price over the past year, the average F price target of $10.70 per share implies 4.76% downside risk.
