New York, February 25, 2026, 05:09 EST — Premarket
- Ford shares were unchanged in early premarket trade after a 4.1% rise on Tuesday.
- U.S. safety regulators flagged a recall of 412,774 Explorer SUVs; Ford is also recalling another 40,655 vehicles for separate issues.
- A regulatory filing showed Executive Chair William Clay Ford Jr bought 140,000 shares.
Ford Motor shares were flat in early premarket trading on Wednesday at $14.20 after rallying 4.1% in the prior session and closing near the top of their 52-week range. The stock is in focus after U.S. auto safety regulators disclosed a recall covering more than 412,000 Explorer SUVs. (Investing)
The recall matters for investors because it puts a spotlight back on quality and warranty risk, a sensitive line item for automakers when pricing is tight and incentives can creep up quickly. For Ford, big service actions can also test dealer capacity and brand confidence, even when the market shrugs at the first headline.
A Form 4 filing showed Executive Chair William Clay Ford Jr bought 140,000 shares at about $13.82 apiece in a transaction dated Feb. 19. Class B stock carries special voting rights at Ford and is largely held by the founding family, but the buy still stands out as a rare, public marker of insider conviction. (SEC)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the recall covers model-year 2017-2019 Explorers and centers on rear suspension “toe links” that may fracture — a part that helps keep the rear wheels aligned — which could lead to a loss of steering control. Dealers will replace the toe links for free, and owner letters are expected to start going out on March 9, CBS News reported. (CBS News)
Ford has also been dealing with another fresh safety action. On Sunday, the company issued a “do-not-drive” advisory and recall for about 15,892 2025 Transit vehicles over a potential brake pedal assembly issue tied to a missing cotter pin and retainer clip, warning that a disconnection could cause a loss of service brake function. (Ford From the Road)
Tuesday’s jump in Ford came alongside a broader rebound on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 up 0.77% and the Dow up 0.76%, according to MarketWatch. Ford outperformed some auto peers on the day, including General Motors and Tesla, and trading volume in Ford ran well above its recent average. (MarketWatch)
Some of that tone carried into the market backdrop more broadly. “Today we’re seeing a little bit of a buy on the dip,” said Matthew Keator, managing partner at the Keator Group, in comments carried by Reuters, while warning of day-to-day swings as investors debate how disruptive artificial intelligence could be. (Reuters)
For traders, the near-term question is whether Ford’s premarket calm holds once liquidity picks up after the open, or whether recall headlines start to weigh on the stock again. A second watch item is whether Ford provides any read-through on repair timing, parts availability, and potential costs as dealer work ramps.
But recalls are messy by nature. If the campaign expands, repair rates run higher than expected, or regulators flag additional issues, investors could start to price in higher warranty expense — and the stock’s run toward its highs would look more fragile.
Next up, the market will watch for any follow-on updates as the Explorer recall process moves from paperwork to repairs, including the start of owner notification letters expected on March 9, and any fresh filings that clarify scope or timing.
