Recall 26S61 / 26V548000 - Improperly manufactured engine pistons may fail and cause engine failure (Ranger 2.3L)

[Mystic]

August 25 2026

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V548000

Improperly Manufactured Pistons May Fail

An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Potential Number of Units Affected: 10001

Summary
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.

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, are expected to be mailed September
4, 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.

Affected Products (5)
Vehicle
MAKE MODEL YEAR
FORD BRONCO 2026
FORD BRONCO SPORT 2026
FORD EXPLORER 2026
FORD MUSTANG 2026
FORD RANGER 2026

Associated Documents (2)
RCAK - Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-26V548-9931.pdf 0.321KB
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCAK-26V548-9931.pdf
Recall 573 Report
RCLRPT-26V548-3059.pdf 0.556KB
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V548-3059.pdf



Ford's Own Notice:

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[superj]

Wow, that sucks.

 

[Sharpie223]

Based on the affected vehicles, I am guessing this is specific to the 2.3. didn't say in the article unless I missed it.

 

[superj]

2.3 and 2.0? Seems like from the vehicle list?

Do they make a smaller ecoboost also

 

[Satex]

Based on the affected vehicles, I am guessing this is specific to the 2.3. didn't say in the article unless I missed it.

It has to be the 2 3. That's the only engine that's available in all of the listed models.

 

[Runyon Rufshod]

Looks like the 2.3 and 1.5 are the affected engines.
432 rangers affected

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V548-3059.pdf

 

[arsenalfc1957]

What about the 2.7L - and word on this engine

 

[David Schuster]

FWIW...Here's what Google AI says about the recent recall. I just got a '26 XLT off the lot with the 2.7 and those are NOT affected by this recent recall. There was a prior recall on 2.7's but looks like it was before the 2.7 was available in the Ranger.

 

[G L Rockwell]

FWIW...Here's what Google AI says about the recent recall. I just got a '26 XLT off the lot with the 2.7 and those are NOT affected by this recent recall. There was a prior recall on 2.7's but looks like it was before the 2.7 was available in the Ranger.

50,000 gallons a day, pollution and ruining the surrounding area for something you could have found on a regular search. Humanity gets what it deserves.

 

[ExpoGuy]

Scotty's opinion...

 

[AugPal]

Dong Yang Piston made in Mexico. That's a new one to me. I thought most pistons were made in Germany or the USA

 

[Texasota]

Dong Yang Piston made in Mexico. That's a new one to me. I thought most pistons were made in Germany or the USA

The Chinese have moved big time into Mexico Manufacturing. They have a huge presence there.

 

[superj]

I never knew that, that's crazy but totally can see it since they bought lots of land around the military bases here and built "factories". The state closed them all down and took back the land so the buildings are all empty and over grown now.

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