Ford Recalls Nearly 160000 Cars for Potential Drive Power Loss What Buyers Should Know

Ford Recalls Nearly 160000 Cars for Potential Drive Power Loss What Buyers Should Know

Ford has announced two separate recalls affecting approximately 160,000 vehicles across multiple popular lineups. The recalls address potential issues that could result in loss of drive power, a serious safety concern for owners. If you own a Ford Mustang, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, or Ranger from recent model years, this news directly affects you.

Understanding the Two Recalls

The first recall involves 148,663 Mustang muscle cars from the 2024 through 2026 model years. This recall stems from a wiring harness ground eyelet problem in the engine compartment. The ground eyelets, which are critical connections for electrical systems, can fracture over time due to how the heat shrink adhesive is applied. As the vehicle vibrates during normal operation, the bending stress on these eyelets causes them to deteriorate prematurely.

The consequences of this issue vary depending on which eyelets fail. In the worst case scenario, your car could lose all drive power entirely. In other situations, you might experience failures of secondary systems like headlights, windshield washer fluid pumps, air conditioning, or engine cooling fans. Any of these failures could create unsafe driving conditions.

The second recall is smaller in scope, affecting 10,001 vehicles from 2026 model year Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Ranger, and Mustang models. This recall addresses a manufacturing defect in Ford’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine related to piston failure. A supplier’s machining tool became loose during manufacturing, causing it to periodically strike the Ni-Ring insert on pistons and create crater cracks. These structural failures can develop in the piston dome, potentially causing complete engine failure.

Owners of affected vehicles may notice warning signs including illuminated check engine lights, engine misfires, or unusual engine noises. As of mid-August, Ford was aware of 22 engine failures at Ford manufacturing plants and two additional failures reported by customers that could be related to this defect.

What Ford Is Doing to Fix the Problem

For the wiring harness recall, Ford will replace the ground eyelets with a revised design that addresses the bending and fracture issues. Dealer notifications have already begun, with owner notifications expected to be completed this week.

The piston issue requires more extensive work. Technicians will inspect affected vehicles specifically looking for crater cracks in the pistons. Any vehicle that fails inspection will receive a complete engine long block replacement with new pistons that do not have the manufacturing defect. Dealers have been notified, and owner notifications are scheduled for this week. Remedy notifications are expected to be mailed in late December, giving owners time to schedule appointments.

What This Means for Buyers and Current Owners

If you own one of the affected vehicles, the good news is that a remedy exists and is already in motion. Your next step is to watch for official notification from Ford or your dealer. You can also proactively check the NHTSA recalls website to see if your specific vehicle identification number is included in either recall.

For those shopping for a used or new Ford vehicle, this recall information is valuable context. While recalls are common across the automotive industry and do not necessarily reflect poor overall quality, understanding known issues helps you make informed decisions. When purchasing any vehicle, it is wise to check for open recalls and ensure they have been addressed before taking ownership.

Current owners should not panic but should prioritize getting their vehicles inspected once parts and repairs are available. Losing drive power on the road creates obvious safety risks, particularly on highways or in traffic. Engine replacement is a significant undertaking, but Ford is handling the logistics and cost through the recall process.

Taking Action

Protecting your car’s electrical and mechanical systems is important for safety and longevity. Many owners maintain additional accessories like reliable car batteries to ensure their vehicles perform optimally. Once your recall remedy is completed, regular maintenance becomes even more critical.

The best course of action is simple: wait for official communication from Ford, then contact your local dealer to schedule the necessary repairs. Do not ignore recall notices. These improvements are performed at no cost to you and address genuine safety concerns. By addressing these issues promptly, you will ensure your vehicle remains safe and reliable for the road ahead.