The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·26V205000·Announced 2026-03-31

2026 Ford Explorer and Mustang Engine Piston Circlip Defect Recall

Ford is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles because engine piston circlips may have been incorrectly installed, risking loss of drive power and increasing crash risk.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: This is a structural vehicle defect (engine piston circlip failure) that can result in loss of drive power and increased crash risk, meeting the criteria for Severe (score 4) per the rubric.

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2026 Explorer and Mustang vehicles due to a defect in engine piston circlips. During manufacturing, the circlips may have been incorrectly installed or are missing, which can result in piston failure and engine damage.

An unexpected loss of drive power caused by this defect increases the risk of a crash. The affected component is the engine's internal mechanical hard parts.

Owners should contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions. Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine as necessary at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 10, 2026. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in the recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026. Ford's recall number is 26S23.

The recalled product

Product
FORD EXPLORER, MUSTANG
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Category
Vehicle — Engine / Powertrain
Hazard
Affected units
278

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (2)

  • EXPLORER
  • MUSTANG

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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