Ford has launched two separate safety recalls that together affect almost 160,000 vehicles across its Mustang, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer and Ranger line‑ups. Both recalls address issues that could cause a total loss of drive power, prompting the automaker to act quickly to protect owners.
Mustang wiring‑harness recall
The first recall covers 148,663 Mustang models from the 2024‑2026 model years. NHTSA documents show that the ground eyelets in the engine‑compartment wiring harness can fracture. The heat‑shrink adhesive used on the eyelet may cause it to bend, and vehicle vibration can accelerate the failure. If the eyelet breaks, the vehicle could lose drive power entirely. In some cases, ancillary systems such as headlights, windshield‑washer pump, air‑conditioning or the engine cooling fan may also stop working.
Ford’s remedy is to replace the faulty ground eyelets with a revised design. The company has begun notifying dealers and owners and expects to finish mailing notices within the week.
2.3‑liter EcoBoost piston recall
The second recall involves 10,001 vehicles from the 2026 model year across the Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Ranger and Mustang families. The issue stems from a manufacturing defect in the 2.3‑liter EcoBoost engine’s pistons. A loose nut on a supplier’s machining tool can strike the nickel‑resistant (Ni‑Ring) insert, creating a crater crack where the insert meets the aluminum. This crack can lead to piston‑domes failure.
Owners may be alerted by a check‑engine light, a misfire, or an unusual engine noise. Ford has recorded 22 engine failures at its plants and two related field failures as of August 12. The automaker will inspect affected vehicles for cracked pistons and, if found, replace the entire engine long block with a version that contains defect‑free pistons.
Dealers have already been notified, and owner notification letters are slated for mailing in late December. Vehicle owners can verify whether their car is part of either recall by checking the NHTSA recall database.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
