Service bulletin SSM 53971
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
| Type | Service bulletin |
|---|---|
| NHTSA id | 11020041 |
| Published by NHTSA | 2025-07-02 |
| Manufacturer's number | SSM 53971 |
| Manufacturer's date | 2025-06-25 |
| NHTSA component | ENGINE; POWER TRAIN |
NHTSA's summary
Some 2023-2025 Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.5L/2.0L EcoBoost engine, 2023-2025 Corsair vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine, 2024-2025 Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine, 2024-2025 Mustang vehicles with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine, and 2025 Bronco/Explorer/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an engine misfire condition with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0301, P0302, P0303 and/or P0304 set in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the spark plugs and/or ignition coils. To correct the condition, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-07 for normal diagnostics.
The document
The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.
Components
Engine, Transmission and driveline
Trouble codes named
P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304
| FORD BRONCO | 2025 |
|---|---|
| FORD ESCAPE | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| FORD EXPLORER | 2025 |
| FORD MUSTANG | 2024, 2025 |
| FORD RANGER | 2025 |
| LINCOLN CORSAIR | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| LINCOLN NAUTILUS | 2024, 2025 |
Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.
| 26V468000 | 2026-07-20. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD |
|---|---|
| 2026258 | 2026-05-27. Engine |
| 26V343000 | 2026-05-27. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL |
| 2026188 | 2026-04-15. Powertrain |
| 26V236000 | 2026-04-14. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION |
| 2026094 | 2026-03-03. Engine |
| 26V122000 | 2026-03-03. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) |
| 2025549 | 2025-10-11. Engine |
| 25V344000 | 2025-06-13. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL |
| 2025306 | 2025-06-03. Engine |
A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.
| SSM 55228 | 2026-10-12. Service bulletin. Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01 Engine > Removal and Installation > Engine Front Cover service procedure has been updated to include a new essential special service tool (ESST) guide pin alignment tool (303-1790) that is used to align the engine front cover to the engine block, preventing the O-ring seal on the engine oil galley feed tube from getting damaged during installation. |
|---|---|
| SSM 55221 | 2026-10-12. Service bulletin. For 20222026 vehicles equipped with a 8F35 transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure has been made in the WSM, Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing. This updated procedure improves the diagnosis of customer reported transmission concerns and aids in locating the proper root cause. During diagnosis and testing, details regarding whether the condition is more prevalent when the vehicle is hot or cold, throttle percentage at the time of occurrence, vehicle speed, the specific shift involved, and whether the issue occurs during transmission engagements (N>R, N>D, R>D, and/or D>R) should be noted in the warranty claim. Engineering requests including these detailed operating conditions that will significantly assist with root cause analysis. Diagnosis, testing, and repair should use established labor times outside this article. |
| SSM 55211 | 2026-10-06. Over-the-air update. 2023-2026 Escape and 2025-2026 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may require removal of the turbocharger wastegate control actuator linkage for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-04 Fuel Charging and Controls - Turbocharger - 1.5L EcoBoost > Removal and Installation > Wastegate Control Actuator Linkage service procedure has been added. In addition, the wastegate control actuator linkage rod with retaining clips (6K682) and actuator linkage rubber boot seal (9E416) have been released as lower-level components to complete the repair without replacing the entire turbocharger wastegate control actuator assembly. |
| SSM 55212 | 2026-10-02. Service bulletin. Some 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles may exhibit a shudder/chatter/vibration from the rear drive unit (RDU) during low-speed turns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 205-02 > Diagnosis and Testing > Pinpoint Test "Grinding, Popping or Chattering - Noise from the Rear Axle When the Vehicle is Turning" has been updated to address this condition. |
| TSB 26-2428 | 2026-10-02. Service bulletin. This bulletin supersedes 25-2326. Reason for update: update the service procedure to include the fuel tank isolation valve replacement, update the causal part number, and increase the labor time allowance to include the fuel tank isolation valve replacement. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P2450 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM and/or the fuel tank isolation valve. |
| TSB 26-2428 | 2026-10-02. Service bulletin. This bulletin supersedes 25-2326. Reason for update: update the service procedure to include the fuel tank isolation valve replacement, update the causal part number, and increase the labor time allowance to include the fuel tank isolation valve replacement. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P2450 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM and/or the fuel tank isolation valve. |
| TSB 26-2408 | 2026-09-30. Service bulletin. This bulletin supersedes 26-2309. Reason For Update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update the Parts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold. This may be due to the F clutch friction plates brinelling into the clutch and planetary container cylinder (7B177). |
| SSM 55142 | 2026-09-04. Service bulletin. Some 2023-2025 Escape vehicles built on or before 16-Sep-2024 equipped with 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an "Engine Coolant Over-Temperature" warning message displayed in the IPC and an illuminated MIL with DTCs P1285 and/or P1299 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) during hard acceleration or under high load conditions. This may be due to machining chips trapped in the cylinder head causing a potential blockage in the coolant passage near the cylinder head temperature 2 (CHT2) port. To diagnose this condition, start the vehicle and idle for 15 minutes. Perform a road test at a temperature above -20°C (-4°F) and apply wide-open throttle (WOT) hard accelerations in rapid succession. If the concern cannot be replicated, drain and refill the coolant system. If the concern can be replicated, drain the coolant system. Perform the Engine Cooling System Flushing procedure in Workshop Manual (WSM) > 303-03A Engine Cooling - 1.5L EcoBoost > General Procedures. Do not use the VC1 flush additive. Reassemble the engine. Fill and bleed the coolant system and re-evaluate the concern. If the concern pers |
| 25M03 | 2026-09-01. Other. Customer Satisfaction Program 25M03 Certain 2020-2025 Model Year Escape, 2021-2025 Model Year Corsair and 2022- 2025 Model Year Maverick Vehicles equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid engine - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Differential Pressure Sensor Replacement, if Required After Dealer Evaluation |
| SSM 55072 | 2026-08-25. Service bulletin. Some 2025-2026 Mustang vehicles equipped with a 5.0L or 2.3L engine and built on 15-Aug-2025 and through 01-Dec-2025 may exhibit various drivability symptoms and/or have diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) related to throttle/pedal position circuits. This may be caused by a spread terminal at the PCM connector. Inspect for loose fitting terminals at C1551B for 2.3L vehicles, and C175B on 5.0L vehicles. Refer to the appropriate Wiring Diagram Cells for circuit identification and wiring repair information. Wire terminal repair kit part DU2Z-14474-CA is recommended for this repair. Refer to Wiring Diagram, Cell 005 for repair procedures. For claiming, use causal part 14290 and labor operations 12651D, 12651D45 and 12651D45WR. |