Nearly 150,000 Ford vehicles recalled after defect raises risk of sudden power loss while driving

Federal regulators announced a significant safety recall affecting nearly 150,000 Ford Mustang vehicles over a critical defect that could cause a sudden loss of engine power while driving. 

The recall, dated Aug. 25 and initiated by Ford, affects 148,663 vehicles manufactured between 2024 and 2026, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

The defect can cause the vehicles to suddenly stall and lose their ability to accelerate or maintain speed, drastically increasing the risk of a crash, officials said. 

“The engine compartment wiring harness ground connections may fracture and result in a loss of drive power,” the notice said. 

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Officials said the defect could also cause other essential vehicle components, including the headlights, windshield washing system, washer fluid pump, air conditioning system and engine cooling fan, to become inoperable. 

“An inoperable headlamp may reduce the driver’s visibility and/or make the vehicle less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. An inoperable windshield washing system increases the risk of a crash,” the notice said. 

Drivers may receive warning signs, including a Check Engine light, other dashboard warning messages or an audible warning chime, shortly before experiencing a sudden loss of power.

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According to NHTSA, adhesive from the engine wiring, which was wrapped with adhesive-lined heat-shrink tubing, may have spilled over and contacted wiring terminals, or metal eyelets, that anchor the wires to the vehicle’s frame. 

The hardened adhesive may have prevented the metal eyelets from sitting flush against the engine surface, the notice said. The eyelets could then bend around the hardened adhesive when bolted down during manufacturing, creating stress points that make them more susceptible to breaking from engine vibrations. 

Once an eyelet fractures, the electrical connection can be lost, causing several critical vehicle systems to suddenly shut down. 

Approximately 1% of the recalled vehicles are estimated to contain the defect, according to the recall notice. The affected vehicles were manufactured between Sept. 7, 2022, and June 9, 2026. 

As of Aug. 18, 2026, Ford was aware of eight warranty claims, four of which occurred within three months of service. 

The company reported no accidents, injuries or vehicle owner questionnaires (VOQs) related to the defect.

To address the safety issue, authorized Ford dealers will replace the faulty terminals with redesigned, stronger metal parts at no cost to vehicle owners. 

Dealers were notified Aug. 28, 2026, and official notifications are scheduled to be sent to affected consumers between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4. 

The full repair remedy is expected to become available by March 2027, once the redesigned parts are available. 

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Owners can check whether their vehicle is affected by calling Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332, contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer or entering a vehicle’s 17-character VIN on the NHTSA website.