2025 Ranger Recall Alert: Brake Booster Defect Puts Stop on Boosted Braking

Ford Motor Company has issued a major safety recall that impacts the 2025 Ford Ranger—alongside several other models—due to a potentially serious fault in the Electronic Brake Booster (EBB), a vital component of modern braking systems.

What’s the Issue?

The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) installed in about 20,552 units of the 2025 Ranger may enter a faulted state during vehicle operation, including while using ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). This can result in a temporary loss of brake assist, meaning the system reverts to unassisted braking, increasing pedal effort and stopping distance.

Why It’s Serious

When the EBB malfunctions, drivers may experience:

• Illuminated warning lights: ABS, ESC, and brake cluster alerts
• Audible alerts and dashboard warning messages
• Noticeably harder brake pedal and increased pedal travel

Without warning from ADAS systems like automatic emergency braking, the sudden loss of assist could increase crash risk—especially in emergency stopping scenarios.

How Big Is the Recall?

This recall affects 312,120 vehicles across several key Ford (and Lincoln) models, broken down as follows:

• Ford Ranger (2025): ~20,552 units
• Ford Bronco: 39,913
• Ford Expedition: 26,582
• Ford F-150: 217,969
• Lincoln Navigator: 7,104

Why It Happened

Ford’s investigation traced the issue to surges from normal electrical disturbances. These voltage fluctuations can push the EBB motor over its current limit, causing it to shut down until the vehicle is turned off and the module resets

What Ford Is Doing

To resolve the issue, Ford is deploying a software update for the EBB module that corrects its response to voltage disturbances.

• Over-the-Air (OTA) update: The primary solution—free for owners
• Dealer-based flash: Available if OTA isn’t successful

Timeline & Owner Guidance

• Dealer notifications began on August 11, 2025
• Owner recall letters began mailing on August 25, 2025, and VINs became searchable at that time

Take action now:

1. Check your FordPass app under Service or use Ford’s online tool to see if your Ranger is affected.
2. If yes, schedule the free OTA update or dealer appointment immediately.
3. Be alert for dashboard warnings—if you encounter them, pull over safely and consider contacting Ford or visiting a dealer right away.

Up Next for Ranger Enthusiasts

• Monitor our Ford Ranger forum for owner reports post-fix
• Stay vigilant for any performance anomalies or brake pedal feel issues after the update.
• We’ll continue to track reliability developments, follow-up bulletins, or any related recalls—whether seat-bolt fastening issues or beyond

Bottom Line

If you own a 2025 Ford Ranger, your vehicle is part of a recall affecting over 20,500 units due to a defect that may cause a temporary loss of brake assist. Luckily, the remedy is simple, timely, and free: a software update to the EBB module—available OTA or via dealer. Don’t wait—check your VIN, schedule the update, and stay safe out there on the trails and roads.

Let me know if you’d like a downloadable checklist, shareable social media post, or an infographic to help Ranger owners stay informed!

What Should Ranger Owners Do?

• Check your VIN using NHTSA’s recall lookup tool or Ford’s official recall checker.
• All recall-related repairs are performed at no cost at Ford dealerships.
• Address recalls promptly, especially those related to brakes, steering, or driver visibility.