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Service bulletin SSM 54631

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.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
TypeService bulletin
NHTSA id11029931
Published by NHTSA2026-03-11
Manufacturer's numberSSM 54631
Manufacturer's date2026-03-06
NHTSA componentENGINE

NHTSA's summary

Some 2020-2026 Escape and 2022-2026 Maverick 2.5L Duratec hybrid vehicles may require various repairs on the exhaust system. This may require removal of the exhaust heat exchanger. WSM, Section 309-00 Exhaust System > 2.5L Duratec hybrid > Removal and Installation > Exhaust Heat Exchanger has been revised to eliminate the need to remove the muffler assembly. The procedure steps and labor times have been updated to reflect this adjustment.

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

Vehicles listed
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
FORD MAVERICK HYBRID2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
20260942026-03-03. Engine
26V1220002026-03-03. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
20260722026-02-18. Engine
25V8280002025-12-01. ENGINE
20253762025-07-14. Engine
20253062025-06-03. Engine
25V3720002025-06-03. ENGINE
20252832025-05-23. Engine
20252812025-05-23. Engine
25V3450002025-05-23. ENGINE

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
SSM 552112026-10-06. 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 551572026-09-15. Service bulletin. Some 2022-2024 Maverick Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an intermittent vibration and/or crunching noise after a cold start while the engine is running with the vehicle stationary in drive with no throttle input and brakes applied. An intermittent engine rocking or rolling motion in one direction may also be observed while the concern is present with the hood open.<br /><br /> The noise may be present with no drivability concerns, relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored, warning indicators illuminated and/or warning messages displayed. The noise may reduce or be eliminated after several minutes of driving when the powertrain warms up.<br /><br /> This condition does not affect vehicle durability and no additional diagnosis or service is required for this condition at this time. Inform customers that they can continue to drive the vehicle and engineering is currently working on a solution for this condition that is expected in Q4 of 2026. Replacement of the engine or transmission will not resolve this condition. Monitor Professional Technician System (PTS) for additional information and schedule s
SSM 551422026-09-04. 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
25M032026-09-01. 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 550582026-08-03. Service bulletin. Some 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles built on or before 05-Dec-2025 and 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 04-Sep-2025 may exhibit limited power and display "Stop Safely Now" or "Service Vehicle Soon" stored in the message center after start up with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0A5D, P0A60, P0A63, P0A6F, P0A72, P0A75, and/or P0E52 stored in the inverter system controller (SOBDMC). The Ford Diagnostic and Repair System (FDRS) may refer to this module as the "Secondary On-Board Control Module C". If the vehicle exhibits these conditions, replace the inverter system controller. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 307-01B. For claiming, use causal part 7B012 and labor operations 12651D and 12651D58. NOTE: This article does not remove any RVC, Prior Approval or Warranty and Policy requirements for component replacement.
SSM 549802026-07-08. Service bulletin. Some 2022-2024 Maverick Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an intermittent vibration and/or crunching noise after a cold start while the engine is running with the vehicle stationary in drive with no throttle input and brakes applied. An intermittent engine rocking or rolling motion in one direction may also be observed while the concern is present with the hood open. The noise may be present with no drivability concerns, relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored, warning indicators illuminated and/or warning messages displayed. The noise may reduce or be eliminated after several minutes of driving when the powertrain warms up. This condition does not affect vehicle durability and no additional diagnosis or service is required for this condition at this time. Inform customers that they can continue to drive the vehicle and engineering is currently working on a solution for this condition that is expected in Q3 of 2026. Replacement of the engine or transmission will not resolve this condition. Monitor Professional Technician System (PTS) for additional information and schedule
25B332026-07-01. Other. Certain 2023-2025 Model Year Escape and Corsair, 2024-2025 Model Year Nautilus, 2025-2026 Model Year Bronco Sport and 2025 Model Year Maverick Vehicles Equipped with an Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement
25B512026-06-05. Other. Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024 Model Year Maverick, 2016-2019 Model Year MKC and 2019-2024 Model Year Ranger Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine and Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement
TSB 26-22102026-06-05. Service bulletin. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: * Engine misfire condition * Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0301, P0302, P0303, and/or P0304 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM)
SSM 548222026-05-18. Service bulletin. All 2026 Maverick non-Lobo vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine and built on or after 04-May-2026 and all 2026 Bronco Sport vehicles built on or after 07-May-2026 are no longer equipped with an underbody tunnel shield (Maverick base part number 6011434/Bronco Sport base part number 7811434). The vehicle is not misbuilt and the installation of this part is not a warrantable repair. Do not submit a claim for this condition.