Ford is recalling nearly 160,000 vehicles across multiple models due to potential power loss issues. The automaker announced two separate recalls affecting the Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Ranger, and Mustang lineups, with remedies already in place for both problems.
Mustang Wiring Harness Recall
The larger of the two recalls covers 148,663 Mustang muscle cars from the 2024–2026 model years. Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate the engine compartment’s wiring harness ground eyelets may fracture over time.
The issue stems from heat shrink adhesive used on the eyelet that can cause bending. The repeated bending, combined with normal vehicle vibration, reduces the lifespan of the ground connection. Depending on which eyelets fail, drivers could lose drive power entirely, according to the recall documents.
Some affected vehicles may also experience failures of the headlights, windshield washer fluid pump, air conditioning, or engine cooling fan. Ford will replace the wiring harness ground eyelets with a revised design to address the problem. Dealer and owner notifications began this week.
Piston Failure Recall
The second recall involves 10,001 vehicles from the 2026 model year, spanning the Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Ranger, and Mustang. This recall stems from possible piston failure in Ford’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine.
Related: BBC Announces Top Gear Return, Host Yet Unknown
According to the paperwork, a manufacturing defect at the piston supplier is to blame. A loose nut on a machining tool allowed the tool to periodically strike the nickel-resistant insert and crack the intermetallic bond. The recall documents describe this as a crater crack where the piston’s Ni-Ring insert meets the aluminum body.
Owners may first notice the problem through the check engine light, a misfire, or unusual engine noises. As of August 12, Ford had identified 22 engine failures at its plants and two failures in the field potentially linked to the same defect.
Ford will inspect affected vehicles for pistons with crater cracks. Those found with the defect will receive a complete engine long block replacement with updated pistons. Dealers have already been notified, with owner notifications planned for this week. Remedy notifications are expected to be mailed in late December.
Both recalls are otherwise unrelated despite sharing the same end result of potential drive power loss. Ford has begun the notification process for the Mustang recall and expects to complete mailing notifications this week for that campaign.
Owners wanting to verify whether their vehicle is included in either recall can check the NHTSA recalls site for more information.
