Ford recalls nearly 160,000 vehicles over "loss of drive power" risk

Ford Motor Co. has filed three new recalls with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, covering nearly 159,000 vehicles in the United States. The largest recall involves certain Mustang models that could have faulty wiring, potentially affecting drive power as well as the headlights and windshield washing system.

The three recalls cover:

• Certain 2024-26 Mustang vehicles: 148,663 recalled.
• Certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles: 10,001 recalled.
• Certain 2026 Maverick, F-150, and Bronco Sport vehicles: 23 recalled.

Mustang recall involves electrical wiring

Ford is recalling 148,663 Mustang vehicles because an electrical wiring problem could cause a loss of power or interfere with several vehicle functions, including the headlights, increasing the risk of a crash.

According to the federal recall notice, a problem with the electrical wiring system in certain Mustang vehicles could result in a "loss of drive power, or a loss of function in the windshield washing system, headlights, air conditioning, or engine cooling fan."

The recall covers 2024 through 2026 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured between Sept. 7, 2022, and June 9, 2026. NHTSA estimates that 1% of the recalled vehicles will contain the defect.

Ford plans to begin mailing owner notification letters between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4. Additional notices will be sent when a remedy becomes available, which Ford expects around March 2027.

Owners of affected Mustangs can take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer, where the engine compartment wiring harness ground terminals will be replaced at no cost, according to the recall notice.

NHTSA recall number: 26V547. Ford recall number: 26C40.

Improperly manufactured piston domes

Ford is also recalling 10,001 certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles over a separate engine issue involving improperly manufactured piston domes.

The defect could cause a piston dome to fail, potentially resulting in a loss of drive power, according to the recall notice.

Ford said that in some cases, drivers could see a Check Engine Light, hear engine noise, or experience a misfire before the piston dome malfunctions and causes a loss of power. Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with the issue.

The recalled vehicles are all from the 2026 model year. Ford said the total includes 5,199 Bronco Sport SUVs, 3,071 Explorer SUVs, 237 Mustangs, 432 Rangers, and 1,062 Bronco SUVs.

Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed Sept. 4. Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block when necessary, at no cost to owners. Ford expects the remedy to become available in December, after which additional letters will be sent.

23 vehicles recalled over loose joints

In a third recall, Ford is covering just 23 vehicles from the 2026 Maverick, F-150, and Bronco Sport model lines.

Ford said some vehicle joints may not have been tightened properly. If the joints loosen, the problem could result in detached parts, unsecured cargo, degraded crash protection, electrical system failure, or a loss of vehicle stability.

Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

Letters to affected owners were mailed Aug. 26, with a remedy expected to become available starting Sept. 21. Dealers will inspect the affected joint and make any necessary repairs free of charge.