Legally reviewed by: Jessica Anvar Stotz, JD, MBA
Short Answer: You won’t necessarily receive any money simply because your vehicle is subject to a recall.
However, through the California Lemon Law, you may be able to get a refund, replacement vehicle or cash compensation if you attempted to have an issue related to the recall repaired while the vehicle was still under warranty.
Vehicles are recalled when the manufacturer discovers a defect, usually because customers have filed complaints and a pattern in a particular make, model, or year has been discovered.
Although they are inconvenient, consumers do not directly receive money if their vehicle is recalled. Most likely, if the defect can be repaired, the consumer will simply not bear any costs for replacement parts or the repair itself.
However, the California Lemon Law can provide an alternative for compensation if the defect has resulted in repeat repair attempts during the manufacturer warranty.
Potential Compensation Through the California Lemon Law
| Recalled Vehicle | Average Lemon Law Settlement |
| Ford Transit Connect | $45,740 |
| Ford Maverick | $45,950 |
| Ford Escape | $54,933 |
| Ford Bronco Sport | $58,364 |
| Ford Mustang | $78,239 |
| Ford Explorer | $79,511 |
| Ford Transit | $87,195 |
| Ford Bronco | $88,955 |
| Ford Expedition | $105,336 |
| Ford F-150 | $109,181 |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | $116,804 |
*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.
If repair attempts haven’t resolved the defect the recall is based on, you may be eligible to pursue a California lemon law claim. Lemon law claims are generally based on repeat repair attempts based on the same or similar defect.
If a defect results in two or more unsuccessful repair attempts, and that defect impairs the vehicle’s value, use, or safety, you most likely have a lemon law claim under California law. A single repair that results in the vehicle being our of service for 30 days or more (non-consecutive days) also can create the basis for a lemon law claim.
If a consumer succeeds in bringing a lemon law claim, they will be offered either a refund or a replacement by the manufacturer. A refund includes all the expenses the consumer has spent on the vehicle: purchase/lease payments, registration renewal, and down payment.
The manufacturer is able to deduct a usage fee, which reflects the time the vehicle was driven without problems. The consumer is also entitled to receive a reimbursement for any incidental expenses related to the lemon vehicle such as rental car or tow car expenses.
A replacement vehicle is another possible option with a successful lemon law claim. In a replacement situation, the consumer will receive a vehicle of similar make and model as the lemon vehicle.
Commonly, this will be a current year vehicle. The consumer will be responsible to pay for any usage fee and difference in price between the vehicles.
The following Ford models have been recalled in 2024. If your vehicle has been repeatedly repaired in an attempt to rectify a problem that was covered by a Ford recall, you may be able to file a lemon law claim and receive a refund or cash compensation.
2024 Ford Recalls
Below is a list of the vehicles Ford has recalled in 2024 so far, accompanied by a brief description of what the recall concerns and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ID number, which identifies exactly which recall the vehicle is subject to.
- 2011-2019 Ford Explorer: The A-pillar’s trim of certain Ford Explorers can detach from the vehicle, creating a hazard on the road and increasing the risk that a crash will occur. The current remedy is inspection and replacement of the defective part if necessary. The NHTSA ID is 24V031000.
- 2023 Ford Explorer: A small number of 2023 Ford Explorers is suffering from a faulty connection between the knuckle and strut. This can cause improper tire alignment and potentially wear on the brake hose, both of which can increase the risk of an accident. The current remedy is inspection and tightening of the connection if necessary. The NHTSA ID is 24V091000.
- 2018-2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator: The seatbelt pretensioner (the part that locks the seatbelt in the event of sudden movement) can accidentally activate and lock the seatbelt. The current remedy for this is inspection and adjustment or replacement of defective parts. The NHTSA ID is 24V099000.
- 2023-2024 Ford Transit: Certain Ford Transit vehicles had an insufficient amount of real axle lubricant applied to them, resulting in potential damage that can cause significant issues. The current remedy is inspection and replacement of the defective parts if necessary. The NHTSA ID is 24V102000.
- 2023-2024 Ford Bronco and Bronco Heritage: Glass panels on the rear of the vehicle’s hardtop are at risk of detachment. The current remedy is inspection and replacement if necessary. The NHTSA ID is 24V142000.
- 2022-2023 Ford Maverick: Certain Ford Maverick hybrids are being recalled because the instrument panel is not properly illuminated, resulting in drivers lacking information about speed or warning lights. The current remedy is updating the instrument panel software. The NHTSA ID is 24V140000.
- 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning: A small number of Ford F-150 Lightning vehicles have an improperly secured battery which can cause a fire. The current remedy is inspection and replacement of faulty parts if necessary. The NHTSA ID is 24V144000.
- 2020 Ford Explorer: The rearview camera in some Ford Explorer vehicles is not working and displays a blank screen or distorted image. The current remedy is a replacement camera. The NHTSA ID is 24V188000.
- 2024 Ford Maverick: The fuel tank of affected vehicles may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. The current remedy is inspection and replacement of the fuel tank. Drivers should take caution to immediately park and turn off the engine of their vehicle if they notice a fuel leak. The NHTSA ID is 24V185000.
- 2022-2023 Ford Bronco and Escape: A fuel injector in these vehicles can crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment, resulting in an increased risk of fire. The current remedy is updating the vehicle’s software to better detect such an issue and to install a fuel drainage tube. The NHTSA ID is 24V187000.
- 2023-2024 Ford Bronco 4 Door: In affected vehicles, the rear left door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle even when the child lock is on. The current remedy is inspection and replacement of the rear door latch. The NHTSA ID is 24V189000.
- 2023 Ford Maverick and Bronco Sport: Improperly manufactured tires on some of these vehicles result in impacted vehicle handling and overall control. The current remedy is inspection and replacement of tires if necessary. The NHTSA ID is 24V223000.
- 2023-2024 Ford Transit: Certain Ford Transits equipped with the “Transit Trail” package can suffer from their tires contacting the arch liners, resulting in degradation of the tire. The current remedy is replacement of tires and impacted nearby parts. The NHTSA ID is 24V226000.
- 2024 Ford Mustang w/ 2.3L Engine: A small number of Ford Mustangs have a low-pressure fuel supply line, resulting in potential fuel leakage. The current remedy is inspection and replacement. The NHTSA ID is 24V220000.
- 2021-2024 Ford Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Ford Maverick: In affected vehicles, the body and power train control elements of the car can fail to detect a low-battery charge, leading to a higher risk of accidents. The current remedy is recalibration of the impacted modules. The NHTSA ID is 24V267000.
- 2024 Ford Maverick: A small number of Ford Mavericks contain an incorrect label about tire pressure and vehicle capacity. The current remedy is Ford mailing new labels to the consumer. The NHTSA ID is 24V266000.
- 2022-2024 Ford Maverick: The taillights of impacted vehicles may fail to engage as intended. One or both rear lights may be deactivated. The current remedy is updating the software that controls these lights. The NHTSA ID is 24V293000.
- 2017-2019 Ford Transit Connect: An improper connection between a roof panel and the body of the vehicle may result in that panel detaching. The current remedy is removal, cleaning, and reinstalling of the impacted part to ensure proper connection. The NHTSA ID is 24V294000.
- 2024 Ford F-150: In affected vehicles, the steering gear assembly and steering column lower shaft have been incorrectly fastened to one another. The current remedy is to replace the fastener with the correct one. The NHTSA ID is 24V329000.
- 2022-2024 Ford Maverick, 2020-2022 Ford Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair: A software issue is causing these vehicles to suddenly shift into neutral unexpectedly. The current remedy is a software update. The NHTSA ID is 24V330000.
How to Check Your Ford’s Recall Status
If you are concerned your vehicle may be the subject of a recall, checking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website is a good first step.
On their website, you can input your vehicle’s license plate and state or VIN to see if a recall has been issued. Alternatively, if you already know a recall is taking place and you have the NHTSA ID number, you can input that instead.
Does Your Ford Qualify as a Lemon?
As mentioned, the first step to determining whether your Ford is a lemon is identifying a defect and taking for repair attempts to an authorized manufacturer dealer within the warranty period of the vehicle.
Documenting these repair attempts is vital, as they will be used as evidence in bringing your lemon law claim. After a certain number of unsuccessful repair attempts (usually two to four), your vehicle will likely be considered a lemon, and you can pursue a lemon law claim against the manufacturer.
If you succeed in bringing such a claim, you will be eligible for either a replacement vehicle or reimbursement of your expenses regarding it. You will also very likely receive reimbursement for the repair costs you incurred.
Also, with a successful Lemon Law claim, the defendant is required to pay for the consumer’s attorneys fees and costs. This make pursuing a lemon law claim an easy financial decision as there is no out of pocket cost to the consumer.
Call the California Lemon Law Experts for a Free Case Evaluation!
If you are the owner of a Ford that you believe to be a lemon or which is currently the subject of a recall and has undergone several repair attempts, you should contact the Lemon Law Experts today.
Our team is passionate and dedicated to our clients and will work hard to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Dealing with a defective vehicle can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be: let our expertise guide and assist you in bringing your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation by calling (877) 885-5366 or by filling out an online form here!
