Ford Recall Affects Nearly 160,000 Vehicles Over Power Loss Risk

Ford Recall Affects Nearly 160,000 Mustangs, Broncos, Explorers and Other Vehicles

Ford Motor Company has issued two separate recalls covering nearly 160,000 vehicles because of manufacturing defects that could cause drivers to suddenly lose engine power or other critical vehicle systems.

The Ford recall affects nearly 160,000 vehicles across several popular models, including the Mustang, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer and Ranger. One recall involves defective wiring terminals in nearly 149,000 Mustangs, while a second involves potentially damaged engine pistons in about 10,000 vehicles.

Ford says affected owners will receive repairs free of charge, and drivers can check their vehicle immediately using its 17-character Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN.

Ford Recall Affects Nearly 160,000 Vehicles in Two Separate Defects

The larger recall covers 148,663 model-year 2024 through 2026 Ford Mustangs.

According to federal recall information, heat-shrink adhesive used on the engine compartment wiring harness can cause ground eyelet terminals to bend and eventually fracture.

What happens next depends on which electrical connection fails.

A broken terminal could cause a Mustang to lose drive power while being driven. Other possible failures include the headlights, air conditioning system, engine cooling fan or windshield washer fluid pump.

Losing propulsion or critical systems while driving could increase the risk of a crash.

A separate recall covers 10,001 model-year 2026 vehicles equipped with certain 1.5-liter or 2.3-liter EcoBoost engines. Models potentially affected include the Ford Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Ranger and Mustang.

Drivers can search for open safety recalls through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall database.

EcoBoost Engine Defect Could Cause Sudden Loss of Power

The second recall involves a manufacturing problem affecting engine pistons.

A machining error during production reportedly allowed a loose nut to damage engine piston domes, potentially creating defects that can cause a piston to crack over time.

If a piston fails, the vehicle could experience sudden engine failure or a complete loss of propulsion while driving.

Drivers may receive some warning before a failure. Possible symptoms include a check engine light, unusual engine noises or an engine misfire.

Ford dealerships will inspect affected engines for signs of piston damage. If damage is discovered, technicians may need to replace the engine long block.

The Mustang wiring recall has a different repair. Dealers will replace the affected ground eyelet terminals with updated components designed to prevent the electrical connection from breaking.

Information about Ford safety recalls and service campaigns is also available through the Ford Recall Information Center.

Ford Owners Can Check Their VIN for an Open Recall

Owners do not have to wait for a recall letter to determine whether their vehicle is affected.

Drivers can enter their 17-character VIN into the federal recall lookup system to see whether an unrepaired safety recall applies to their specific vehicle.

Ford has begun notifying dealerships and will send official notices to affected vehicle owners. Recall inspections and repairs are provided at no cost to owners.

Anyone driving one of the potentially affected models should pay particular attention to warning lights, engine problems or unusual vehicle behavior and contact a Ford dealership if they have concerns.

Owners can also contact Ford Customer Support at 1-866-436-7332 for additional information about an open recall.

The U.S. Department of Transportation also encourages motorists to report suspected vehicle safety defects to NHTSA, helping federal regulators identify potential safety problems affecting other vehicles.

With nearly 160,000 Ford vehicles involved in the two campaigns, owners of recent Mustangs and certain 2026 Ford SUVs and trucks should check their VIN rather than assuming their vehicle is included based solely on its model and year.

🔴 MORE RADIO NEWS