NHTSA Recall 26V205000

Filed by Ford Motor Company. Component: Engine And Engine Cooling. Reported 2026-03-31. An estimated 278 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles. The engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed during manufacturing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage, leading to a loss of drive power.

Risk

An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

What the manufacturer will do

Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S23. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.

Manufacturer campaign number: 26S23

Does this recall apply to your car? Check your VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup โ†’

Vehicles covered by this recall