Ford Motor Company South Africa is recalling 5,676 Ford Ranger models in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini over faulty brakes, amid a series of global recalls over safety issues.
Ford said on Friday it was recalling 2025 and 2026 Ranger models — the majority of which are in South Africa (5,387), with 113 in Botswana, 157 in Namibia, and 19 in Eswatini.
The company said it was taking the drastic measure due to a loss of the brake boost feature, which could result in owners seeing an increase in pedal effort needed to brake the vehicle.
“The anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and brake warning signals will illuminate, and informational messages will be displayed in the instrument cluster. In addition, an audible alert will sound. Loss of brake boost may cause extended stopping distances, increasing the risk of an accident,” Ford said in a statement.
According to the supplier, the affected vehicles and the driver of the affected vehicles will feel a change in the pedal feel or feel an increased effort needed to brake the vehicle. They said this is due to the loss of the brake boost feature. When that happens, the vehicle owner will see a warning of the ABC and ESC. We want to appeal to the consumers to take heed
— Phetho Ntaba, National Consumer Commission spokesperson
In July, Ford recalled 5,700 vehicles due to safety concerns, affecting Ranger, EcoSport, Puma and Everest models. A month later, it recalled 22,000 Ranger, EcoSport, Everest, and Transit Custom vehicles in Southern Africa built between 2021 and 2025 because of issues with the infotainment system, with the company anticipating software updates in the third quarter of 2025.
Ford has recalled 30,000 vehicles in Southern Africa so far in 2025, while its parent company has recalled 1.9-million vehicles worldwide due to faulty rear-view cameras.
Dudu Nxele, Ford's corporate communications manager, said no incidents related to these defects had been reported. “This reflects Ford’s commitment to act quickly and responsibly when a potential concern is identified. This international approach is designed to deliver lasting improvements and help Ford achieve world-class levels of quality, safety, and consumer satisfaction,” she said.
The National Consumer Commission said it was concerned by the recalls of Ford vehicles and other brands. Spokesperson Phetho Ntaba said the Consumer Protection Act required suppliers to remove unsafe goods from the hands of consumers for redress. “It is for this reason that we remind suppliers of their obligation to produce goods that are free of defects, [are] durable, and usable,” she said.
Ntaba urged motorists who drive the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Tremor, and Platinum models to immediately contact an authorised Ford dealership to have these vehicles checked and, where necessary, to have the defective component repaired at no cost to themselves.
“According to the supplier, the affected vehicles and the driver of the affected vehicles will feel a change in the pedal feel or feel an increased effort needed to brake the vehicle. They said this is due to the loss of the brake boost feature. When that happens, the vehicle owner will see a warning of the ABC and ESC. We want to appeal to the consumers to take heed,” she said.
Earlier this month, the consumer watchdog noted the increasing number of vehicles that have been recalled in South Africa. These include:
- Ford Mustangs sold between 2021 and 2022, due to a low-pressure fuel pump that would likely result in an engine stall, heightening the risk of accidents;
- Ford Transit Custom vehicles made available from 2024 to 2025 in South Africa, due to an airbag defect;
- BMW X3 (G45) series vehicles, due to two outer head restraints on the rear seats which were not manufactured correctly;
- VW Polos sold in May 2025, due to the rear axle not being bolted to the body with the necessary torque; and
- Hino 500 series buses sold between July 2018 and August 2025, due to a drag link that was not torqued correctly and, in some cases, split pins that may be missing, which could cause a loss of steering control while the vehicle is in motion.
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