Ford issued two recalls related to a potential loss of drive power. Aside from the end result, the recalls are otherwise unrelated. One recall covers 148,663 Mustang muscle cars from the 2024–2026 model years. The second covers 10,001 cars split between the Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Ranger, and Mustang lineups, all of which are from the 2026 lineup.
The Mustang-only recall originates from an issue with the engine compartment’s wiring harness ground eyelets. According torecall documentsfiled with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the ground eyelets may fracture. The documents show that the heat shrink adhesive used on the eyelet can cause bending, which reduces the life of the ground due to the vehicle vibrating. Depending on which eyelets break, the car could lose drive power entirely. In some cars, the headlights, windshield washer fluid pump, air conditioning, or engine cooling fan could also stop working.
As a remedy, Ford will replace the wiring harness ground eyelets with a revised design. Ford has already begun notifying dealers and owners of the issue and expects to finish mailing notifications this week.
The second recall stems from possible piston failure in Ford’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. According todocuments related to the piston recall, the affected models may experience failed piston domes thanks to a crater crack where the pistons’ nickel-resistant (Ni-Ring) insert and aluminum touch.
The recall documents detail the issue as a manufacturing defect with the piston supplier. According to the paperwork, a loose nut on the supplier’s machining tool allowed the tool to periodically hit the Ni-Ring insert and crack the intermetallic bond. Owners of impacted cars could be made aware of the issue through the check engine light, a misfire, or an out-of-the-norm engine noise.
As of August 12, Ford was aware of 22 2.3-liter engine failures at Ford plants, as well as two failures in the field that could be related to the same issue. As a remedy, Ford will inspect the cars in the recall population and search for pistons with crater cracks. For every car that fails the inspection, Ford will replace the engine long block with a new version that houses crater-crackless pistons. Dealers have already been notified of the issue, with owner notifications planned for this week. Remedy notifications are expected to be mailed in late December. Owners concerned that their car is included in either recall can check the NHTSA recalls site.