2026 Ford engine recall: piston failure can cut drive power

Ford is recalling 10,001 potentially affected 2026 Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Mustang and Ranger vehicles because incorrectly manufactured piston domes may fail. The resulting loss of drive power can increase crash risk. The recall covers certain vehicles, so model and year alone do not establish eligibility. NHTSA identifies the campaign as 26V548000.

What the official recall record says

Ford Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Mustang and Ranger: engine pistons

Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block if the inspection requires it, at no charge. NHTSA’s updated record says interim safety letters were mailed September 3, 2026 and the remedy is anticipated in December 2026. Ford’s interim letter also states that the remedy is not yet available and gives December 21, 2026 as its expected date.

Official record

• NHTSA recall ID: 26V548000
• Vehicles listed: Ford Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Mustang and Ranger (2026)
• Potentially affected: 10,001
• Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
• Report received: August 25, 2026
• Owner notification: Interim safety letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will follow when the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026.
• Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
• Safety consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
• Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.

What owners should do next

Contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332, citing 26S61, for the current inspection and parts schedule. The announced long-block replacement is conditional on inspection results; it is not a promise that every recalled engine will be replaced.

Bronco owners and shoppers can use RecallWire’s Ford Bronco issues guide to review other documented concerns separately from this campaign.

Use the official NHTSA recall lookup with your VIN to check individual recall status. A model-year listing alone does not confirm that a specific vehicle is affected or still needs repair.

Official sources

• Current NHTSA campaign data for 26V548000, checked September 16, 2026; includes the agency’s current status summary and affected-vehicle entries.

The manufacturer’s Part 573 filing linked above was submitted August 25, 2026. It records the filing at that date; later notification and remedy-status updates are identified from the current campaign data.

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