Ford tire recalls: which trucks and SUVs got bad tires?
Ford's three tire recalls all trace back to how the tire was built or mounted, not to wear. Trucks dominate: the 2018 F-150 and 2018-2020 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty were recalled for Continental tires cured too long in production, and 2020 F-150s got 17-inch spare tires that may have been damaged when they were installed on the rim. The 2019 Escape shares the Continental tire problem, and in 2024 Ford recalled 2023 Maverick and Bronco Sport vehicles whose tires were manufactured incorrectly and could cost you handling and control. Every one of these is rated high severity, every one ends with a dealer inspection and replacement, and none carries a stop-driving order.
Warning signs to watch for
- A tire that suddenly goes flat, including the spare when you pull it out to use it
- Tread separating or coming apart at speed
- Loss of vehicle handling and control, as the Maverick and Bronco Sport notice describes
- On a 2020 F-150, a spare that will not hold air after being mounted on the rim
- Often there is no advance warning at all — these notices describe defects inside the tire that show up suddenly
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these three recalls carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction, so Ford is not telling owners to leave the vehicle parked. That is not the same as ignoring them. A tire that goes flat or sheds its tread at highway speed can take control away from you with no warning, and both the Continental and Maverick/Bronco Sport notices say to get the tires checked promptly. Until then, on the 2020 F-150 do not count on the spare — the recall exists because that spare may already be damaged.
What the free repair involves
Across all three recalls the dealer work is straightforward tire service. On the 2020 F-150 the dealer replaces the 17-inch spare. On the Continental-tire trucks and the 2019 Escape, and on the 2023 Maverick and Bronco Sport, the dealer inspects the tires and replaces any that are affected. No software update is involved, and the work is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-03-22 | Ford Maverick and Bronco Sport tires built incorrectly | high |
| 2021-03-10 | Ford F-150, Super Duty and Escape Tires May Fail | high |
| 2019-12-18 | Ford F-150 spare tire may have hidden damage | high |
Common questions
My F-150's spare has never been used. Is it still covered?
Yes. The 2020 F-150 recall covers 17-inch spares that may have been damaged when they were installed on the rim, so the damage is already there whether or not the spare has ever touched the road.
How do I know if my tires are the recalled Continental ones?
You cannot tell by looking. The 2021 recall covers certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250 and F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles built with Continental tires cured too long during production. The dealer inspects the tires and decides.
Will the dealer replace all four tires?
Not automatically. On both the Continental recall and the 2023 Maverick and Bronco Sport recall, dealers inspect and replace tires only as necessary. One or more tires may be affected, and only the affected ones get replaced free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.