Federal automotive safety authorities have announced a major recall affecting nearly 150,000 Ford Mustang vehicles due to a critical defect that poses a risk of sudden engine power loss while driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall—announced on August 25 and initiated by Ford—covers 148,663 vehicles manufactured between 2024 and 2026. Officials warn that the defect can cause the vehicles to stall unexpectedly, leading to a sudden loss of acceleration or the ability to maintain speed, which significantly elevates the risk of a collision.
The official notice states that fractures in the engine compartment wiring harness ground connections can result in a complete loss of drive power.
The seventh-generation 2024 Ford Mustang, shown here during its unveiling in Detroit, Michigan, is part of the massive recall. (Bill Pugliano / Getty Images)
Beyond the sudden loss of engine power, the defect can also render several other critical vehicle systems inoperable, including the headlights, windshield washing system, washer fluid pump, air conditioning, and engine cooling fan.
The safety notice highlights that inoperable headlights can reduce driver visibility or make the vehicle less visible to others, while a non-functional windshield washing system increases the risk of a crash.
Before experiencing a sudden loss of power, drivers may receive warning signals, such as a Check Engine light, other dashboard warning messages, or an audible chime.
Ford Mustang vehicles displayed at a dealership in Austin, Texas. Owners of the affected vehicles will be able to receive free repairs at authorized Ford dealerships once replacement parts are available. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)
According to the NHTSA investigation, the issue stems from adhesive used on the engine wiring, which was wrapped with adhesive-lined heat-shrink tubing. The adhesive may have spilled over and contacted the wiring terminals or the metal eyelets that secure the wires to the vehicle’s frame.
If the adhesive hardens, it can prevent the metal eyelets from sitting flush against the engine surface. During manufacturing, when these eyelets are bolted down, they may bend over the hardened adhesive. This creates stress points that make the components highly susceptible to fracturing under normal engine vibrations.
Once an eyelet fractures, the electrical connection is lost, causing critical vehicle systems to shut down unexpectedly.
A Ford Mustang logo on a vehicle. The recall affects nearly 150,000 vehicles due to a defect that can disable engine power, headlights, windshield washers, and other essential safety systems. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The recall notice estimates that approximately 1% of the affected vehicles actually contain the defect. The vehicles in question were manufactured between September 7, 2022, and June 9, 2026.
As of August 18, 2026, Ford was aware of eight warranty claims related to this issue, four of which occurred within three months of vehicle service. The manufacturer has reported no accidents, injuries, or vehicle owner questionnaires (VOQs) associated with the defect.
To resolve the safety issue, authorized Ford dealerships will replace the faulty terminals with redesigned, stronger metal components at no cost to the owners. Dealers were notified of the issue on August 28, 2026, and official notifications to affected consumers are scheduled to be sent between August 31 and September 4, 2026.
The complete repair remedy is expected to be fully available by March 2027, once the redesigned parts are in production.
Vehicle owners can check if their car is affected by calling Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332, contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer, or entering their vehicle’s 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA website.