Ford Motor Co. is recalling almost 700,000 vehicles to address a long-running issue over cracking in an auto part that can leak fuel into the engine and cause fires.

What implications does this carry for Ford and investors? The consequences are serious. Quality issues could damage consumer trust and increase warranty and recall costs. Ford stock remains down approximately 15% over the past 12 months,

A massive recall for a faulty fuel pump affects over 850,000 popular vehicles, but Ford has no immediate fix and has ordered dealers to stop all sales.