CarRecallWatch- Component
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
What this recall means for you
Some engines in these vehicles may have had piston circlips installed incorrectly during manufacturing. A circlip is a small retaining ring that holds the piston pin in place. If it is missing or mis-installed, the piston can fail, causing engine damage and a sudden loss of drive power.
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. Owners should watch for any warning signs from the vehicle and take them seriously.
The repair is free. Dealers will inspect the engine for missing or mis-installed circlips and replace the engine if needed. Owners who received a notification letter mailed April 10, 2026 can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 (Ford recall 26S23). You can also check whether your vehicle is affected by entering your VIN at NHTSA.gov, since VINs for this recall became searchable there on April 2, 2026.
Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle
Official recall notice
Affected vehicles
| Ford Explorer | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Ford Mustang | 2026 |