NHTSA recall 26V205000
A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.
| Published by | NHTSA (United States) |
|---|---|
| Campaign number | 26V205000 |
| Manufacturer's number | 26S23 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Reported | 2026-03-31 |
| Owners notified | 2026-04-10 |
| Component | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL |
| Units potentially affected | 278 |
| Part numbers | PB5E-6006-AA, PR3E-6006-BA |
| Report | Quarterly report 1, for 2026 quarter 2 |
|---|---|
| Filed with NHTSA | 2026-07-17 |
| Vehicles in the campaign | 278 |
| Reported remedied | 213 (76%) |
| Reported unreachable | 1 |
| Reported removed | 0 |
These are the manufacturer's totals for the whole campaign at the end of 2026 quarter 2, as filed with NHTSA. They do not say whether one vehicle has been remedied: check the VIN with the official lookups. The reports are from data as of 2026-10-19.
What is wrong
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.
What can happen
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.
| 2026 FORD EXPLORER | Built 2026-02-17 to 2026-02-26. |
|---|---|
| 2026 FORD MUSTANG | Built 2026-02-20 to 2026-02-26. |
A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.
Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
| 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. |
|---|---|
| TSB 26-2269 | 2026-07-13. Service bulletin. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300 and/or P0316 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) (with no other relevant DTCs present) during a cold start after a 3 to 8 hours cold soak. This may be due to the machining surface of the intake ports in the cylinder head. |
| SSM 54795 | 2026-05-08. Service bulletin. Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). The vehicle may be unable to enter electric-only drive modes as expected during normal drive cycles. This may be due to the software within the belt integrated starter generator (BISG). For vehicles with this condition, follow Pinpoint Test I: Battery Isolation/Voltage Stabilization Control Circuit Carry Outance located in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-06D and repair the vehicle as necessary. Note that the BISG is on backorder status at the time of this publication and Ford is working to make parts available. Engineering is investigating this concern. Monitor PTS for updates. |
| SSM 54774 | 2026-04-28. Service bulletin. Some 2024-2026 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator (MIL) lamp with engine over-temperature warning in the message center and poor air conditioning (A/C) performance from the engine cooling fan not running. Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) B3A1B, P0113, P0217, and/or P0480 may be stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to poor engine compartment ground connections at G105, G107, G111 and/or G122. Refer to the Wiring Diagram (WD) > Grounds Cell 010 > Pages 2, 3, 7 and 8. Prior to any Workshop Manual (WSM) diagnostics, verify all listed grounds are tightened to 62 lb-in (7 Nm) to resolve this condition. If symptoms or DTCs return after all grounds are tightened, follow normal WSM diagnostics. |
| SSM 54756 | 2026-04-21. Service bulletin. 2021-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost engine may require air conditioning (A/C) compressor belt removal for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-05A Accessory Drive - 2.3L EcoBoost > Removal and Installation > Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor Belt procedure has been revised to eliminate cutting the A/C compressor belt to remove it. Refer to the updated procedure to reuse the belt. |
A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.