Ford is hitting the brakes on 850,318 vehicles due to a fuel pump failure that could cause engines to stall, turning your joyride into a dramatic game of roadside roulette.

This massive recall affects popular models like the F-150, Mustang, and Bronco, potentially leaving more than 85,000 cars in danger of unexpected engine shut-downs, particularly when fuel levels are low and the weather is hot enough for a sunbath. Fortunately, despite the potential for a pop quiz on car repair, Ford reassures us that they’re currently unaware of any associated accidents or injuries—unless you count the emotional distress of being unexpectedly stranded.

This recall affects a range of models produced from 2021 to 2023, including the F-150, Mustang, Bronco, Explorer, and several variations of the Super Duty trucks. The full list of affected vehicles resembles a family reunion of Ford's most iconic names—minus the awkward small talk and potato salad, of course. To be precise, we are looking at F-150s, Mustangs, Broncos, Explorers, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 Super Duty trucks, 2022 Expedition, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigators, among others, as well as the 2021-2023 Aviator. That's quite the gathering.

The root of the issue appears to be the fuel pump, which may decide to play a game of peekaboo with your engine. Symptoms of this defective fuel pump are as delightful as they sound: poor engine performance, misfiring, and a check engine light that acts more like an attention-seeking trophy than a warning sign. It’s almost poetic—feeling that engine vengeance when fuel delivery goes awry and leaves drivers, well, going nowhere fast.

Ford's upcoming recall notice is scheduled to land in mailboxes on July 14. Ah, the thrill of anticipation—waiting for that letter that could change your life, or at least your Tuesday drive. A second round of letters will follow once they have a remedy, possibly containing instructions on just how to avoid making impromptu repairs on the roadside or perfecting the art of flagging down help with a cheerful wave.

Interestingly, Ford estimates that around 10% of the recalled vehicles may actually have the issue—a figure that gives the phrase "statistically significant" a new meaning. That means for every truckload of ten vehicles, one might be starring in its own low-budget drama in the middle of a highway. One can only imagine the conversations happening in those Ford trucks, right before the dreaded check engine light turns into the main act.

While the possibility of a stall isn’t particularly ideal, the lack of any reported accidents or injuries is a saving grace. Ford's vehicles may be purring like kittens or sputtering like college students on ramen noodles, but the recall is due to a fuel pump defect that may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. This is a fortunate development, as it allows us to focus on the absurdity of needing a recall for what seems like a fundamental engine function. Perhaps we should set a new trend: high fives rather than high stakes, as drivers enjoy the thrill of unpredictability.

According to reports, the fuel pump failure is more likely to rear its ugly head under low fuel levels or when the temperature is warmer than a cat on a sunny windowsill. With global warming being a prominent guest at our dinner tables, summertime fuel consumption may bring about a new genre of heart-stopping adventures—those that include the sudden realization that you have more sunshine than gas.

As of 2025, Ford has been busy with recall notices—89 of them to be precise. They’ve become something of a recall manufacturing plant, reaching a staggering figure of over 5 million vehicles affected. This fuel pump recall follows up on a recent one from January, involving nearly 300,000 diesel-engine trucks and their high-pressure fuel pumps. At this point, we can almost view Ford’s recalls as part of a marketing ploy: buy a new car, get a free mystery box filled with potential engine woes!

While nobody particularly relishes the thought of driving a so-called 'staller,' there's something somewhat comforting in Ford's admission of such a whimsical issue across their fleet. Perhaps it’s part of a bold move for transparency in the rare world of car manufacturers. After all, honesty is the best policy, especially when you’re trying to keep your customers from terminating their love affairs with your vehicles on the interstate. So here's to Ford and their proactive measures—may they rush to remedy and keep drivers flying down the road without a hitch, but with just enough fuel to make it interesting.