15:05 21-01-2026

Major pickup truck recalls in the United States

Throughout automotive history, major manufacturers have occasionally faced the need to recall vehicles in large numbers due to discovered defects and shortcomings. Below is a list of the most significant pickup truck recall campaigns in the United States.

1. Toyota Tacoma — Rear Suspension Defect (690,000 vehicles)

Toyota had to recall approximately 690,000 Tacoma units because of a serious flaw in the rear suspension. The issue involved cracks forming in the rear leaf springs, which could lead to the failure of mounting components and cause fuel leaks. This situation heightened the risk of fire, posing a danger to drivers and passengers.

2. General Motors (GM) — Rear Door Problems (820,000 vehicles)

General Motors initiated a large-scale recall of around 820,000 vehicles due to a malfunction in the rear door. The cause was a broken electrical component responsible for controlling processes. When exposed to moisture, this component could fail, leading to the rear door opening unexpectedly while the vehicle was in motion. This behavior created a genuine safety hazard, as cargo inside could spill out onto the road.

3. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) — Software Glitch (1 million vehicles)

Major automaker Fiat Chrysler encountered a serious issue in its products related to errors in the safety system management software. The error caused the seatbelt pretensioners and side airbags to either activate incorrectly or fail to respond properly. This increased the risk of severe injuries in crashes, including the danger of vehicle rollover.

4. Ford Motor Company — Door Latch Malfunction (1.1 million vehicles)

Ford was compelled to announce a recall campaign for nearly 1.1 million of its models due to a design flaw in the door latches. The latch, meant to keep the door closed, could fail suddenly and unpredictably, opening while driving. Such a scenario could result in serious passenger injuries and the threat of losing control of the vehicle.

5. Ford Motor Company — Fuel Tank Mount Corrosion (1.1 million vehicles)

Another Ford recall campaign affected 1.1 million vehicles where the fuel tank mounting components were found to be deteriorating due to severe corrosion. If these parts broke, the tank could shift on its own, creating significant fire risks and hazards for the driver and passengers. According to the company, this problem was responsible for at least eight confirmed fire-related incidents and many cases of severe burn injuries.

6. Ram 1500 — ABS System Malfunction (1.2 million vehicles)

The company announced a major recall of roughly 1.2 million of its popular Ram 1500 models due to an error in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) software. This error interfered with the normal operation of this feature, greatly reducing vehicle stability during emergency braking and making the vehicle vulnerable to sudden skidding and loss of control.

7. Ram — Parking Brake Mechanism Failure (1.5 million vehicles)

Ram faced the necessity of a mass recall of up to 1.5 million vehicles because of an unpleasant characteristic in the parking brake mechanism. It was discovered that some vehicles could start moving forward immediately after being parked, despite no pressure on the gas or brake pedals. Such situations significantly increased the risk of dangerous collisions and emergencies.

8. Ford F-150 — Fire Risk from Seatbelts (1.6 million vehicles)

America's largest pickup truck manufacturer, Ford, had to decide on a record recall of 1.6 million units of its bestseller—the F-150 model. This recall was unusual because it was linked to a fire risk from seatbelts. Ford explained that the seatbelt pretensioners contain a pyrotechnic element that helps prevent slack in the belt during a crash. This equipment releases gas, and with excessive sparks, it can ignite. These mechanisms were found prone to spontaneous sparking, which triggered at least 17 known cases of vehicles catching fire on their own.